Assistant Director, Communications

Join a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as an Assistant Director, Communications for our Operational and Internal Comms department. This position is hybrid, and you will need to be based in the greater Chicagoland area.   

The Assistant Director, Communications serves as a key operational lead for UChicago Medicine's Internal & Operational Communications function. Working closely with the Director of Operational & Internal Communications, this position develops and executes communication strategies that support organizational priorities, operational readiness, workforce engagement, and strategic change across UChicago Medicine and the Biological Sciences Division.

This role oversees enterprise communication channels, editorial operations, communication governance, and publication workflows while serving as a trusted communications consultant to operational leaders. The Assistant Director combines strategic thinking with exceptional writing, editing, and project management skills to deliver timely, high-quality communications and continuously improve how information is shared across the enterprise.

Essential Job Functions 

• Partner with the Director, COO's Office, and enterprise leaders to develop and execute communication strategies supporting organizational priorities, operational initiatives, and change management efforts. 
• Serve as an internal communications consultant, advising leaders on messaging, audience, timing, and the most effective communication channels. 
• Participate in planning for major operational and organizational initiatives to ensure communications are integrated early and support organizational readiness.
• Lead the day-to-day management of enterprise internal communication channels, publications, and editorial calendars, including employee newsletters, leader communications, physician communications, digital monitors, and employee intranet. 
• Serve as one of the department's primary writers and editors, developing executive communications, operational updates, FAQs, talking points, newsletters, and other high-impact content. 
• Ensure communications consistently reflect strong editorial judgment, clarity, accessibility, and organizational priorities.
• Help establish and maintain communication governance, standards, workflows, and publication processes that improve consistency, coordination, and effectiveness across the enterprise. 
• Manage communication calendars, distribution processes, and publication schedules while recommending appropriate channels and communication strategies in partnership with the Director. 
• Coordinate freelancers, vendors, and cross-functional communication projects to ensure timely, high-quality execution.
• Monitor communication performance and engagement metrics to evaluate effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement. 
• Help develop scalable tools, templates, and best practices that strengthen the department's communication infrastructure. 
• Serve as a key operational partner and backup to the Director for selected departmental responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

• BA or BS in communications, English, journalism, or related field 
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience managing internal, organizational, or corporate communications
• Demonstrated success developing and executing communication strategies in a large, complex, highly matrixed organization
• Exceptional writing, editing, and editorial judgment, including experience developing communications for executive and employee audiences
• Proven ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines
• Experience supporting organizational change, operational initiatives, or enterprise-wide communication programs
• Experience in healthcare, academic medicine, higher education, or another similarly complex organization
• Journalism experience or demonstrated newsroom-style writing, reporting, and editing skills
• Experience managing internal communication channels, editorial calendars, and communication governance
• Working knowledge of enterprise communication platforms (e.g., SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, or similar technologies) and familiarity with communication analytics
• Experience managing freelancers, vendors, or external partners
• Basic graphic design experience using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare, academic medicine, higher education, or another similarly complex organization
• Journalism experience or demonstrated newsroom-style writing, reporting, and editing skills
• Experience managing internal communication channels, editorial calendars, and communication governance
• Working knowledge of enterprise communication platforms (e.g., SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, or similar technologies) and familiarity with communication analytics
• Experience managing freelancers, vendors, or external partners
• Basic graphic design experience using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar tools

Position Details 

• Job Type / FTE: Full Time (1.0 FTE) 
• Shift: Days 
• Job Location: Hyde Park 
• Unit/Department: Operational and Internal Comms – Hyde Park   
• CBA Code: Non-Union