External Communications Specialist II

The External Communications Specialist II is an essential position in the BRI Marketing and Communications department (MarCom) at the Benaroya Research Institute. The person in this role will report to the Director of Marketing and Communications in support of all external facing efforts and activities.  This includes public relations and media, print and e-news communication and event management.  The position will include close communications with other MarCom team members to ensure impactful and consistent messaging across channels.

The job requires a person who enjoys contributing to a team, who has excellent communication skills and is comfortable multi-tasking in a deadline-driven environment. This role requires an individual who is excited about bioscience research, a dependable self-starter and able to manage a number of tasks and projects. It is critical that this team member embrace both exciting and mundane tasks with equal gusto and attention.

*Hybrid work schedule; minimum 3 days per week working in-office. 

• Promote Benaroya Research Institute (BRI), its mission and research through effective public relations, story writing, media relations, marketing and advertising as directed, to include drafting and pitching news releases, and earned placements in TV, print, radio, and electronic media. Understand BRI’s objectives, mission, and vision to contribute to development and implementation of external communication strategies in support of the Director of Marketing & Communications, which will influence public opinion and promote BRI.
• Create and edit story content, from concept development through production, including digital content, brochures, newsletters, e-mail campaigns and advertising. Write and edit content for the annual report (as relevant) and the 990 form.
• To increase BRI’s visibility and awareness among external audiences, contribute to strategy and program creation in promotion of BRI’s mission, and seek new ways to virtually connect with communities, both locally and nationally.
• Facilitate and fulfill news media queries and interview requests to broaden public knowledge and understanding of BRI’s research expertise.
• Take leading role in the organizing, coordinating, and hosting high-profile receptions and events including, but not limited to, donor cultivation and stewardship events, public education and general community group events and receptions. Act as BRI’s primary representative and coordinator at all events.
• Coordinate BRI team participation and/or sponsorship of events, along with communications and team recruitment efforts for these events, jointly with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) as needed.
• Manage and maintain a portfolio/ yearly calendar of these events. Conceptualize, plan, and manage high-profile events, receptions and BRI tours including, but not limited to virtual and in-person Inside Immunology virtual and in-person Research Updates, donor cultivation and stewardship events, public education, and general community group events.
• Assist in development of annual community awareness plan that aligns and furthers the mission of BRI.
• Develop, maintain, and promote positive and professional relationships with internal staff (including scientists and laboratory staff, administration, communicators and community educators group), board and committee volunteers, allied organizations, community leaders, vendors, contractors, media and the general public.

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations or related field and
• 3+ years’ work experience in public relations, journalism or communications role, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 3+ years’ work experience within Life Science, Biotechnology, Immunology, and research experience, required.
• Adept at crafting compelling copy and narratives, solid understanding of communication strategy.
• Experience in scientific writing preferred.
• Requires a valid Washington State driver’s license.
• Must have work experience in public relations, communications, and/or community development.
• Requires awareness and understanding of the life science research community.
• Position will require attendance at events which may occur outside of regular working hours, including weekends, with the need to lift and carry 50 pounds.
• Must be able to cultivate and maintain a working relationship between Benaroya Research Institute, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, and Virginia Mason Foundation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong writing background and ability to translate complex scientific information.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with ability to multitask, prioritize and manage many ongoing projects at once.
• Collaborative, strong team player.
• Experience in a non-profit organization or PR/ad agency preferred.
• Reads and abides by the company’s code of conduct, ethics statements, employee handbook(s), policies and procedures and other corporate mandates, including participation in mandatory training programs.

$32.75 to $50.12 per hour

• Medical, dental, vision hardware insurance
• Flexible spending accounts: health care, dependent care, commuter
• Short and long-term disability and life and AD&D insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with matching funds after one year of employment
• PTO: 13 holidays, three weeks of vacation and two weeks of sick leave per year
• Employee assistance program
• Educational assistance program
• Subsidized bus pass
• YMCA rebate and other fitness club discounts
• Voluntary benefits, e.g., pet insurance, accident, critical illness, identify theft
• See benaroyaresearch.org for benefit details 

Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) has a bold mission: To predict, prevent, reverse and cure immune system diseases, from autoimmune disease to cancer to COVID-19. We examine the immune system in both health and disease to understand how disorders start and how to rebalance the immune system back to health. Equipped with innovative tools and robust biorepositories, our team chips away at the biggest mysteries behind these conditions to work toward our vision of a healthy immune system for everyone. BRI is a world-renowned independent nonprofit research institute affiliated with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and based in Seattle. We collaborate with clinicians to accelerate the path from innovative lab discoveries to life-changing patient care.

At BRI, each role is valued and an important contributor to our vision and mission. BRI is committed to a safe, caring and diverse workplace; as well as to taking action to further our commitments to foster inclusion, equity and belonging so employees feel comfortable bringing their full selves to work. Consider making a difference by joining our team. Because together, we are powering possibility.

To learn more, visit benaroyaresearch.org and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads,  LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status. If you need assistance completing the application process, please contact Human Resources at 206-342-6972 or email jobs@benaroyaresearch.org

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