Associate Director, University Communications

University of Illinois Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodations for applicants

Job summary

University of Illinois Chicago is seeking an Associate Director, University Communications in Chicago to lead media relations, craft press materials, manage crisis communications, and train spokespersons across health sciences and UI Health partnerships. You will coordinate responses, pitch experts, and collaborate across units to elevate university storytelling.

The role requires a strong background in journalism or public relations, plus experience communicating complex medical research to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Media, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Science, or related field.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in media relations, communications, public relations, journalism, or related field, including issues management, crisis communications, and storytelling.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local healthcare laws and regulatory requirements, including privacy and confidentiality standards for healthcare communications.
• Strong written communication skills, including professional experience writing, editing, and proofreading content for internal, external, media, or public audiences.

Responsibilities

• Seek, prepare, write, review, and disseminate media relations and crisis/issues management content.
• Function as key contact for hospital and health sciences colleges, facilitating external news contacts and collaborations.
• Develop and maintain connections with media sources, faculty, staff and students; pitch experts for news stories.
• Advise leadership on media responses and strategies; provide crisis communications support and media training.
• Plan and prepare stories; coordinate with video, design, and digital media teams for multiplatform storytelling.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Storytelling

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Associate Director, University Communications

Hiring Department: University Communications

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1042461

Posting Close Date: 9/9/2026

Salary: The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $120,000

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), a leading institution committed to student access and success, is seeking an Associate Director, University Communications to join the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications team. A successful candidate excels 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.

Position Overview

Working jointly with the communications and marketing teams of both the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications and the UI Health and/or OVCHA, the Associate Director, University Communications, takes charge of media relations, storytelling, and news/crisis management in partnership with UI Health, and/or 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 UIC's health sciences, clinical programs, and the University Communications and Storytelling and Content Strategy teams of Strategic Marketing and Communications. The primary aim is to highlight and engage health sciences strengths in teaching, research, clinical care, and public service through proactive media coverage locally, nationally, and globally.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Seek, prepare, write, review, and effectively disseminate media relations and crisis/issues management content for the hospital, 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 hospital and/or 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.

Five (5) years of professional experience in media relations, communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field, including issues management, crisis communications, and storytelling.

Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local healthcare laws and regulatory requirements, including privacy and confidentiality standards for healthcare communications.

Strong written communication skills, including professional experience writing, editing, and proofreading content for internal, external, media, or public audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree preferred.

Demonstrated experience identifying, developing, and prioritizing news stories; conducting interviews; and gathering information from multiple sources to produce accurate and engaging communications materials within a higher educational institution or healthcare setting.

Experience working in highly collaborative environments requiring effective interpersonal skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to maintain positive, solution-oriented relationships.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, adapt to changing priorities, and maintain a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and quality.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.