Communications Associate

Description

About SIR

The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) is a thriving professional medical society dedicated to optimizing patient care and improving lives through minimally invasive, image-guided treatments. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, SIR represents one of the most innovative, exciting, and competitive medical specialties today. 

SIR is a 501(c)(6) professional association that supports more than 8,100 interventional radiology physicians, trainees, medical students, scientists and clinical professionals. SIR is also comprised of SIR’s 501(c)(3) Foundation, which focuses on research and fundraising to advance the future of interventional radiology. Together SIR and SIR Foundation have nearly 50 staff, combined annual revenues of $12.6 million, and assets of nearly $17 million.

Position Summary

This highly visible and connected role is a key member of the society’s communications team, collaborating regularly with staff, physician volunteers and society partners to creatively position SIR and IR as thought leaders in cutting-edge medicine through the society’s social media channels and member communication vehicles. The Communications Associate is responsible for developing, executing and reporting on social media engagement and strategies that advance a variety of society efforts. This role is also responsible for development and assembly of SIR’s e-newsletters and alerts and provides media relations and editorial support for SIR’s Annual Scientific Meeting.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Social media 

• Develops and executes social media strategy with an eye toward storytelling

          o Drafts appropriate messages to further SIR’s voice

          o Measures and reports on social media engagement

• Engages in active monitoring on SIR’s key social media sites with an emphasis on engagement with member conversations, to include triaging content and tapping staff subject matter experts for response
• Explores new social media tools and tactics, assessing their benefits of use to amplify engagement with SIR on social media 
• Coordinates with SIR and SIR Foundation staff to identify opportunities for special social media events, such as X (formerly Twitter) chats or Instagram takeovers (e.g., to observe certain awareness months related to IR treatments; to spotlight member achievements; etc.)
• Coordinates with the marketing team on scheduling and deployment of campaigns
• Collaborates with staff liaisons and member-volunteers to ensure messaging on member-run social media accounts is precise and on-brand

          o Assists and advises them on messaging, measurement 

          o Organizes Annual Meeting coverage for maximum reach

Graphic design and video production 

• Develops graphics to spotlight important SIR efforts, activities, programs and member benefits on social media, newsletters, website and other member communications vehicles. 
• Records, edits and project-manages the creation of video for use on social media and sirweb.org. 
• Manages the intake and editing of community-sourced video using Gather Voices.

Secondary Functions and Responsibilities: 

Member communications

• Lead development of Guidewire newsletter from call for stories to timely publication
• Supports the production, editing and distribution of SIR’s member newsletters, alerts and marketing e-blasts to ensure consistent, clear and accurate messaging 
• Additional duties as assigned

Requirements

Experience:

• Three years of progressively responsible communications experience in social media and other organizational communications; preferably in a nonprofit or trade association environment 
• Experience with social media platforms in a professional setting (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube) 
• Experience with social media measurement and social media management tools (Falcon, Buffer, Hootsuite or similar)
• Experience working in a digital communications email platform (Informz, ConstantContact or similar platform)
• Experience with basic video editing platforms (ClipChamp, YouTube, iMovie, GatherVoices) and video production
• Experience with graphic design platforms (Canva or similar)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal/written communication, proofreading and editing skills
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and G Suite tools (Google Docs, Google Alerts, Google Forms)

Education:

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related field from a four-year college or university or in lieu of a degree, a minimum of four (4) years of successful demonstrated work experience in social media communications

Location Requirements:  

The candidate must be local to the D.C. Metro area (within 25 miles of the SIR office) and must work in the office in Fairfax, VA as needed. Some travel is required primarily for Annual Meeting and other organization events. 

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: 

Small, fast-paced collaborative office environment with moderate noise levels. Use of phones and computers for extended periods of time. Utilize office equipment and communication technologies for conference calls and teleconference meetings/webinars. Requires general mobility to move through the facility and, at times, ability to lift up to 25 pounds. Frequent interaction with internal staff and physician members/board via phone, in person, email and other mediums. Normal sitting and standing activities for an office environment. Some travel primarily for annual scientific meeting. 

This position description should not be construed to imply that the requirements are the sole standards for the position. Incumbents are expected to perform all other duties as required.

SIR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

 PM21