Senior Health Writer

Senior Health Writer
Under direction of the Director, News and Communications, the Senior Health Writer leads the University of Arizona's efforts to identify, compose, and edit engaging stories and news releases about high-level university health and research initiatives. The Senior Health Writer effectively and accurately translates complex information into understandable and appealing news for external media and internal audiences, while also developing relationships with key stakeholders within the university and among the greater scientific, health and wellness media communities.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Responsibilities

Lead efforts to identify and curate the most impactful university health projects and write stories and news releases for the university's flagship communications channels.

Serve as a senior institutional representative with external media.

Generate story leads and media opportunities.

Oversee the development of narratives and framing for complex, sensitive, or high-visibility topics.

Conduct faculty interviews and produce compelling and accurate stories about newsworthy health research from peer-reviewed journals and similar sources. Pitch those stories to local, state, national, international news media, along with health-specific news organizations.

Identify university experts and researchers across a variety of disciplines and assist in developing key messaging for media opportunities. Establish relationships with these key research faculty and college leadership to deliver a consistent pipeline of story opportunities.

Keep track of publication timelines, embargoes, and editorial calendars.

Cultivate relationships with health reporters, editors and producers to anticipate coverage and place and pitch stories and university experts.

Engage with incoming media requests from journalists seeking university experts and facilitate those requests.

Create briefing sheets, talking points and assist with interview preparation.

Advise senior leadership on emerging opportunities related to key health-related initiatives.

Work with the wider University Marketing & Communications team and with campus partners to develop health stories, visual assets, and cultivate expertise to generate interest in the university's research portfolio.

Provide coaching and direction to staff on advanced media practices.

Serve as a resource for campus partners seeking to amplify their research initiatives.

Lead media trainings and writing workshops.

Tailor news releases and feature stories into short‑form content for the university's social media channels.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Demonstrated ability to translate complex health‑related topics into compelling stories about the value and impact of the work for general audiences. Proven track record generating story leads.

Excellent grammar, writing, editing, AP style and research skills; project management skills; ability to handle multiple projects with short‑ and long‑term deadlines; excellent communication skills; an ability to work with various constituencies and audiences.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through experience required

Minimum of 8 years of relevant professional science and/or health writing and editing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

A Master's degree in journalism, communications, English, science or related field and 10-plus years of professional news‑writing and editing experience, preferably in an academic or research setting.

Experience writing in‑depth stories relating to health research, clinical care, wellness initiatives or other related fields.

Established track record of news media placements that feature significant health discoveries.

Experience creating engaging short‑form social media posts to effectively communicate complex ideas for lay audiences.

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