Associate Director, University Communications

Job Summary

The University of Illinois Hospital (UI Health) in collaboration with the Office for Strategic Marketing and Communications (SMC) is seeking a full-time Associate Director, University Communications at the University of Illinois Chicago. SMC directs initiatives to elevate the profile and reputation of UIC, Chicago’s only public research university.

Working jointly with the communications and marketing teams of both the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications and the University of Illinois Hospital (UI Health), the Associate Director, University Communications, takes charge of media relations, storytelling, and news/crisis management. This responsibility extends to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and the seven health sciences colleges, including Applied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, and the School of Public Health, encompassing their diverse programs and specialties. The role involves seamless integration with UI Health and the University Communications and Storytelling and Content Strategy teams of Strategic Marketing and Communications, as well as close collaboration with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs. The primary aim is to highlight and engage UI Health's strengths in teaching, research, clinical care, and public service through proactive media coverage locally, nationally, and globally. The ideal candidate should excel in written and multimedia communication, crafting materials like op-eds, commentaries, press releases, and media pitches, while also offering crisis communications support and media training.

 The Strategic Marketing and Communications team is a collaborative group that develops and executes strategies that inform, inspire, and engage others to become part of UIC’s global academic and research mission. This role values a team of teams approach and is a systems thinker who can motivate and positively influence others to curate a content strategy anchored in advancing university and priorities and to promote engagement of the core.

About UIC

Located in one of the world’s greatest cities, the University of Illinois Chicago is Chicago’s largest university and only public research institution. Its 16 academic colleges serve nearly 34,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UIC is recognized as one of the most ethnically rich and culturally diverse campuses in the nation, a leader in providing access to underrepresented students. UIC has one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is a federally designated Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI), and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

Around 80% of undergraduates receive financial assistance. With one of the largest colleges of medicine in the nation, and colleges of dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, social work, and applied health sciences, UIC is the state’s principal educator of health professionals and a major healthcare provider to underserved communities. UIC students become professionals in fields ranging from business and engineering to education, liberal arts and sciences, urban planning, law, and social work, as well as architecture, design, and the arts. UIC is an integral part of the educational, technological, and cultural fabric of Chicago. 

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC among the top 40 public schools in the nation. The UIC campus is located just west of Chicago’s loop, integrated into historic residential neighborhoods and the urban environment.

Job Responsibilities

• Seek, prepare, write, review, and effectively disseminate media relations and crisis/issues management content for OVCHA and/or the health sciences colleges, programs, and specialties through diverse media channels including print, broadcast, and multimedia. Function as the key point of contact for the health sciences colleges, facilitating external news contacts and collaborations for both current and emerging news coverage. As a vital part of the UIC’s emergency response team, contribute to communication efforts and support. Identify and foster relationships with local, national, and international news entities and organizational representatives, ensuring a consistent stream of positive coverage for the health science colleges and/or UI Health. Develop and maintain ongoing connections with media sources, faculty, staff, and students. Proactively write and pitch UIC and UI Health research, clinical stories, events, and major grants/funding; pitch and place UIC and UI Health experts and faculty for topical, breaking, and trending news stories. Respond to news media inquiries, schedule, and negotiate interviews and written content. Cultivate and curate an aligned and collaborative landscape of storytelling across all channels and media. Advise university and hospital leadership along with faculty and staff on media responses and strategies for protecting and stewarding the reputation of the institution. Provide crisis communications support and media training. In-depth ability to research and communicate complex information, such as medical research, clinical innovations, or health policy issues, to a broad audience, using knowledge of concepts within a specialized field. Plan and prepare stories; write, edit, proofread, and copy-edit a variety of technical articles, reports, brochures, and manuals for wide dissemination. Coordinate activities with audio/video specialists, graphic designers, digital media, and others to activate and support multiplatform storytelling. Perform other duties as they emerge in an ever-evolving marketing and communications landscape. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, media, public relations, advertising, marketing, science, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred. Five (5) years of relevant experience Portfolio of work that represents media relations, issues, and crisis management and storytelling. Demonstrates proficiency and passion for news, media relations, and storytelling. Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws about health care, including federal privacy issues. Demonstrates excellence in news judgment, communication skills, and sense of what is best for the UIC brand; effective interviewing and news gathering. Ability to write clearly and concisely, strong editing and proofing skills. Excellent organizational skills with great attention to detail and the ability to steadily handle multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and not comprising quality. Possess a strong commitment to teamwork, creativity, and willingness to learn. Flexible about shifting priorities and entrepreneurial and resilient when faced with ambiguity. Nimbly adapts to new systems, knowing when it is necessary to ask for help and when it is appropriate to propose better ways of doing things. Possesses collaborative and growth mindset and deeply values teamwork.

For fullest consideration, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references by February 16, 2024 via the UIC Job board.

The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, and religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.  Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment.  For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899