The Communications Manager – Media Relations role is responsible for protecting Mayo Clinic’s reputation and positively elevating the organization’s visibility through earned media. This role will support Mayo Clinic’s Research and Practice shields, with a particular emphasis on the Cancer clinical line. The ideal candidate will bring experience in healthcare communications and demonstrate the ability to translate complex scientific and clinical information into compelling narratives that resonate with both professional and public audiences. Preferred qualifications include experience supporting a Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a proven track record of media engagement in oncology or research-driven environments.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator and relationship builder who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is comfortable working on high-profile matters with cross-functional teams and senior leaders across the organization in an agile environment. This role will be skilled in having discerning and excellent judgement in media strategies that protect Mayo Clinic’s reputation and generate positive brand awareness. They must demonstrate strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, and be detail-oriented with a high degree of accountability and follow-through.

Expectations of the role include:

• Proactive Media Relations: Lead the development and execution of strategic media relations plans that align with institutional priorities and elevate Mayo Clinic’s visibility across local, national, and trade media. Proactively identify and pitch compelling stories that showcase clinical, research, and operational excellence. Cultivate strong relationships with journalists and editors to secure high-impact coverage. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify timely story opportunities and ensure alignment with brand messaging. 
• Media Inquiry Management: Serve as a primary point of contact for incoming media requests. Coordinate timely and accurate responses in collaboration with subject matter experts.
• Media Relations Issues Management: Serve as a strategic lead in media relations issues management, providing timely, sound, and reputationally aligned recommendations during sensitive or high-profile situations. Collaborate closely with cross-functional leaders to ensure accuracy, alignment, and agility in response. Monitor media and industry trends to anticipate emerging issues and proactively shape response strategies. Supporting issues after hours if needed is a normal course of business in the role.
• Content Development & Media Strategy: Lead the creation of high-impact media materials including press releases, media statements, talking points, media briefs, and op-eds that align with Mayo Clinic’s brand voice and strategic messaging. Ensure all content is crafted with sensitivity to reputational considerations and tailored for diverse audiences and platforms.
• Research Promotion & Earned Media: Evaluate medical studies and institutional research for earned media potential. Draft and distribute embargoed press releases in coordination with researchers and peer-reviewed journals to maximize visibility and impact.
• Multimedia Collaboration: Partner with the multimedia team to develop compelling video packages and press kits, incorporating visual assets that enhance storytelling and media engagement.
• Editorial Excellence: Maintain high editorial standards with proficiency in AP Style. Demonstrate strong writing, editing, and fact-checking skills to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency across all content.
• Media Training & Guidance: Provide media training and guidance to internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment with brand and messaging protocols and policies.
• Press Event Support: Organize and prepare for virtual and in-person media events and assist with media logistics for press events and interviews.
• Media Database & Workflow Management: Maintain media contact lists and relationships, and support integration of media workflows into project management platforms.
• Media Monitoring, Analytics & Reporting: Track and analyze media coverage to identify trends, inform strategy, and measure impact. Prepare regular reports using media intelligence tools and translate insights into actionable recommendations.

Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field plus 5 years of relevant work experience. Experience in media relations and/or journalism, preferably in or with a healthcare organization, is strongly preferred. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to communicate in a way that creates clarity, simplifies messages, and aligns with organizational strategy. Knowledge of channels for communication and the ability to build effective communication and engagement strategies.

Must be a self-starter with the ability to independently identify opportunities, solutions and resolve challenges. Demonstrated ability to deliver impactful results. Requires an attitude that actively seeks out change, embraces critical questioning, innovation, service and continuous improvement. Must understand how to deal with and navigate ambiguity, and act without having the total picture. Adaptable or flexible. Demonstrated professionalism and ethics, with ability to earn credibility through integrity and transparency. Role models service excellence. Motivates others by being present, engaged, attentive, invites diverse perspectives, demonstrates and inspires a collaborative spirit.

Demonstration of strong management skills including strategy and visioning, change management, resource management, and sound judgment are required. Demonstrated use of management principles of delegation, organization and execution to maximize the value of projects and initiatives is also essential. Excellent interpersonal skills to include presentation, negotiation, persuasion, team facilitation, constructive feedback and written communications skills are required. Superior project management experience, knowledge and skills must be demonstrated. Incumbent must have the ability to independently manage a varied workload of projects with multiple priorities. Demonstrates interest in continuous learning and professional development, in addition to functional area expertise.