Communications Liasion

Job Summary:

The Communications Liaison for Lions Gift of Sight researches and develops relevant and timely internal and external marketing and communications content. This role collaborates with our many stakeholders, and monitors and reports on impact to help drive results in alignment with organizational objectives.

Responsibilities include developing and maintaining instructional content and business relationships with referring partners such as hospitals, medical examiners and hospices. The role will include assuring hospital compliance with CMS guidelines and assisting with quality measures that drive performance and increase eye donation through storytelling utilizing graphics and data.

Job Responsibilities:

60% Digital Communications:

• Create and implement a social media strategy to amplify key messages, promote the Lions Gift of Sight brand and impact awareness, drive traffic to support key business objectives, encourage students and stakeholders to engage with LGS social networks, and take any other desired actions.
• Assist with the development of marketing and communications collateral for internal and external stakeholders including the University of Minnesota community, clinical, community and professional partners. This will include graphic design, writing, editing the website and project management.
• Conduct market research to identify social media sites of most interest to target customers. Creates and posts content that attracts attention and encourages customers to share content with others. Establishes and maintains relationships with the online community by developing and implementing content promotions, contests, information, entertainment, etc. Develops and updates social media pages and monitors social networks, responds to questions, and collects feedback.
• Utilizes performance metrics to measure achievement of institution objectives. May assist with digital advertising.

15% Partner Relations:

• Develop, strengthen and maintain existing business partner relationships by earning and maintaining client acceptance and trust with LGS eye donation referral source organizations. This includes front line staff and leadership of hospitals, hospices, medical examiners, coroners, nursing homes, funeral directors, whole body donation programs, etc.
• Develop and provide direction for implementation of goals and strategies for successful donor development programs with donation referral sources and in the community.
• Research and maintain current and future trends knowledge base and serve as expert consultant about federal and state laws and regulations, professional industry accreditation standards and requirements (Centers for Medicaid and Medicare, Joint Commission, Eye Bank Association of America, etc.) related to donation; referral and donation process, donor care management; documentation of donation activity, etc. for donation referral sources in their development of organizational.

10% Education:

• Develop and provide education programs.
• Increase awareness, foster acceptance and promote informed decision-making regarding eye, organ and tissue donation.
• Identify opportunities and conduct education in donation referral source facilities and public venues, independently and collaboratively, in conjunction with donation industry partners, from one-on-one to small groups and large audiences.
• Create meaningful learning experiences tailored to specific audiences, with and without visual aids such as slides, and with adaptability to utilize a variety of virtual and non-virtual platforms including Zoom, Teams and other platforms as required.
• Engage LGS recipient and donor family volunteers with assistance of Community Relations staff, as appropriate, to share the message of hope and healing eye donation brings.

10% Data Support:

• Research, analyze and report on eye donation activity.
• Create and present data reports for use both internal and external to LGS, including with donor referral sources; donation industry partners; state, regional and national industry reports and education initiatives.
• Perform chart audits as needed. Compile and analyze data gathered from audits, LGS database, donation partner databases and donation triage phone lines to determine educational needs and trends of donor referral sources.
• Utilize data to help referral sources reduce delayed referral calls and missed opportunities and to positively impact outcomes in donation.

5% Partnerships:

• Work collaboratively with donation professional partners.
• Represent LGS and University of Minnesota in working with other human tissue or organ donation organizations - local, state and national - to collaboratively support donor development, education and recognition.
• Participate in donation industry leadership opportunities, meetings, conferences and education as requested.

General Responsibilities:

• Align daily activities with the strategic and operational goals of the organization.
• Practice safe work habits at all times.
• Read and follow all LGS policies and procedures.
• Practice effective, respectful and proactive communication with other LGS staff and with staff and representatives from other organizations.
• Arrive and work during scheduled hours.
• Maintain confidentiality, including but not limited to donor and donor family information, organizational process, financial information and protected health information (PHI) in accordance with HIPAA.

**LGS provides vehicles for employees to conduct business. When a LGS vehicle is not available access to reliable transportation is required for this position.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four years.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially relationship-building.
• Proficient computer and PowerPoint skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include some evening, nights and weekend hours.
• Ability to focus attention to detail for content creation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred area of study and work experience includes education, marketing/communications, or nursing with three or more years work experience and demonstrated success.
• Strong writing, editing, social media, website and content development skills, with the ability to translate complex information into accessible content.
• Public speaking/presentation and website editing experience.
• Experience working or volunteering with organ, eye, tissue or whole body donation organizations.

Ophthalmology - About the Department

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences and its success is built upon the innovation and drive of every member of our team, from faculty to administrators to technicians. Put simply, all of us are driven to provide the best eye care for our patients, discover new treatments, and educate the next generation of eye care professionals.

For more information please visit our website at https://med.umn.edu/Ophthalmology

Lions Gift of Sight

Lions Gift of Sight (formerly Minnesota Lions Eye Bank) was established after the partnership between the Lions and the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences came to life in 1960, providing donor eye tissue for transplant, research, and teaching and promoting donation through education. Lions Gift of Sight has helped restore sight to more than 22,000 people by providing cornea tissue for transplantation and is one of the largest and most successful eye banks in the world.

For more information, please visit our website at https://www.lionsgiftofsight.org/

Pay Range: $26.80 to $32.21 per hour, we anticipate most offers will be around the midpoint of this range, depending on education and experience.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, pharmacy and disability plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).