Communications officer, ysph

Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!

Overview

Reporting to the Associate Director of Editorial at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), the Communications Officer brings strong writing, editing, and communications skills to the YSPH Editorial Team. Primary duties include developing internal and external communications, writing and editing news and feature articles, translating complex public health topics for diverse audiences, supporting magazine production, and contributing to key messages, talking points, and marketing content. The Communications Officer will work closely with the Associate Director of Editorial in producing YSPH’s public health magazine (digital and print) and other school publications as needed, including newsletters and periodic reports. The Communications Officer will write and edit content for digital platforms, including web, newsletters, and digital publications, working closely with the Web and Multimedia teams to ensure content is optimized for online readability and discoverability. The Communications Officer will work closely with the Associate Director of Editorial to support editorial operations, post news articles and press releases to the web, and engage in media relations with Yale’s main press office and external media outlets. As part of the YSPH Communications Team, the Communications Officer will work closely with school leadership to develop communications that advance YSPH’s strategic priorities.

Essential Duties:

• Write, assign, and edit content including news and feature articles that amplify YSPH research, scholarship, and programs for a range of internal and external audiences.
• Develop internal communications including announcements, newsletters, and school-wide messaging in coordination with the Associate Director for Editorial and school leadership.
• Develop key messages, talking points, and presentations that support school leadership and advance YSPH’s institutional priorities.
• Manage YSPH newsletters, editorial stories, periodic reports, and other related projects on deadline.
• Serve as YSPH Editorial Team liaison to offices, departments, and research centers across the school, managing editorial communication projects and ensuring content aligns with institutional messaging and brand standards.
• Support the development and implementation of communications strategies that promote YSPH’s brand and elevate its position as a national leader in public health.
• Assume other editorial responsibilities and contribute to special projects as needed.

Required Skills:

1. Excellent writing and editing skills across multiple formats, including print and digital content. Knowledge of Associated Press news style guidelines and ability to translate complicated scientific research for a variety of audiences.
2. Demonstrated expertise in developing key messages and presentations for institutional communications.
3. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including short-turnaround assignments and longer-term editorial projects, on tight deadlines and in collaboration with team members, partners, and freelancers.
4. Strong communication skills, and ability to work closely with others on a team.

Preferred Skills:

1. Experience in higher education communications.
2. Prior knowledge of Yale work systems a plus.
3. Experience using content management systems (WordPress, Drupal/Beatrix), social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook), and image editing tools (Canva, Photoshop).
4. Experience with digital analytics tools.
5. Ten or more years of writing experience in communications or related area.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Brand & Communications Strategy. Develops and executes public relations strategy, output, and performance for the department with the goal of increasing media impressions in local, national, industry-specific and alumni media. Creates communications strategy to showcase top technologies available for license. Ensures consistent look and tone for all department communications, including written content, website and social media.
2. Media Relations. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with media representatives. Identifies opportunities to work with other departments, university publications and the Office of Public Affairs to develop and publicize stories.
3. Content Creation. Assesses the University faculty inventions and student startups for newsworthiness and create compelling news and public relations content. Creates engaging, dynamic content for the public, including press releases, blog articles, website updates, newsletter articles and social media.
4. Outreach. Manages delivery channels for newsworthy content, including updating and maintaining the department websites, social media accounts, and articles for email newsletters, and creating video, print, and on-campus events. Creates websites that embed existing content from Yale and external sites (publications related to the technology, videos featuring inventor, profile on Yale Bulletin and Calendar innovators webpage).
5. Other. Seeks out, negotiates with and recommends external organizations that can provide services that optimize both the cost and functionality of the new communications strategy. Ensures that all communications conform to the University guidelines. Hires student workers as needed to assist in producing copy. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and four years of experience in website design, production, marketing, project management or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Posting Date 09/03/2026

Job Category Professional

Bargaining Unit NON

Compensation Grade Administration & Operations

Compensation Grade Profile Supervisor; Senior Associate (23)

Salary Range $65,000.00 - $101,000.00

Time Type Full time

Duration Type Staff

Work Model Hybrid

Background Check Requirements All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department. The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran. Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA). Note Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.