Health Communications Manager

University of Chicago; United States; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking a Health Communications Manager to lead communications strategy for UChicago Student Wellness. You will translate complex clinical information into clear content across digital and in-person touchpoints to reduce barriers to care and enhance student experience.

Reporting to the Director of Health Promotion, you will shape health literacy, care navigation, and branding efforts while coordinating with campus communications and CSL teams to ensure accessible,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 2–5 years of experience in health communications, digital strategy, or patient education.
• Proven ability to translate complex health information into plain language.

Responsibilities

• Draft and review Student Wellness communications to ensure accessibility and clarity for a diverse campus population.
• Improve care navigation and after-hours information across digital and print channels.
• Translate complex healthcare and insurance requirements into user-friendly resources.

Skills

Health literacy

Digital strategy

UX principles

Campaign management

Crisis communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Social media management

Job description

Department CSL Health Promotion and Wellness

About the Department

As part of Campus and Student Life at the University of Chicago, UChicago Student Wellness integrates multiple services related to student health and well-being. UChicago Student Wellness provides medical, mental health, and health promotion services to students on the University of Chicago campus. UChicago Student Wellness aims to be the primary resource for exceptional, compassionate, inclusive, and integrated care - shaping a campus culture of well-being, belonging, and growth.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Health Promotion and as part of the Health Promotion team, the Health Communications Manager will lead the communication strategy to increase awareness of UChicago Student Wellness and help students understand, navigate, and access the health and wellness resources they need to thrive while on campus. This role translates complex clinical and administrative information into clear, actionable content that reduces barriers to care and enhances the student experience across all digital and in-person touchpoints.

Responsibilities

• Health Literacy&Clinical Navigation: Plain Language Communication: Draft and review all Student Wellness communications (e.g., vaccine requirement communications, insurance compliance information, annual Student Wellness brochures, etc.) to ensure they meet standards and are accessible to a diverse campus population.
• Care Wayfinding: Improve care wayfinding to enhance navigation pathways and increase students’ understanding of Student Wellness services and processes as well as seeking after-hours care.
• Insurance & Compliance Literacy: Simplify complex healthcare requirements (e.g., state mandates, immunization compliance, and student insurance) into user-friendly digital and print resources.
• Digital Strategy & Ecosystem Management: Digital Management: Lead the strategy for Student Wellness digital platforms (website, social media, email), ensuring consistency in messaging across platforms, timely updates, removal of outdated information, and layout and content that emphasize easy access and user-focused navigation.
• UX-Driven Analytics: Regularly review website and portal analytics to identify pain points in the student user journey; apply data-backed updates to enhance the efficiency of online information and booking processes.
• Campaign Integration: Lead marketing for campus-wide health surveys (e.g., NCHA, HMS) and public health campaigns, and medical and mental health education initiatives.
• Crisis Response: Coordinate the rapid dissemination of critical health and safety information regarding emerging health concerns across all channels.
• Institutional Alignment & Outreach: Strategic Leadership Support: Assist the Leadership Team in preparing high-level presentations, institutional announcements, and strategic reports for university stakeholders.
• Cross-Campus Collaboration: Partner with University Central Communications and the CSL Communications Manager to align messaging with divisional and institutional goals and handle media or parental inquiries.
• Orientation Strategy: Develop strategic content for student orientation, focusing on how to access care, manage their health requirements, and navigate wellness assets.
• Brand & Quality Control: Ensure all communications adhere to University branding and accessibility standards, while optimizing creativity and design assets for maximum audience engagement.
• Leadership and supervision: Leads the health literacy and participates in SW working groups and committees as needed Attends all CSL communications working group meetings Regularly communicates with the CSL Communications Manager, maintaining awareness of centrally-led CSL communications efforts Supervises Student Social Media Coordinators Plans, develops and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction.
• Accomplishes assigned duties through two or more of the following: written communications; visual/graphic media, which may include Web site development and maintenance; speeches and personal contact. The incumbent is still acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills. Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree, Public Health, Communication, or other related field.
• Experience: 3–5 years in health communications, digital communication strategy, or patient education.
• Proven experience translating technical or medical information into plain language.
• Experience in a healthcare/clinical setting (using EMR/Portals like Epic or Point-and-Click) or in higher education administration.
• Experience with design thinking, UX principles, or inclusive design for diverse populations (e.g., LGBTQ+ and international students).

Technical Skills or Knowledge

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and professional social media management.
• Ability to interpret health survey data and web analytics to pivot communication strategies.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional written and interpersonal skills; ability to handle sensitive health information with strict confidentiality and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated experience with cultural sensitivity,, and creating inclusive communications for diverse populations (including LGBTQ+ health and international student needs).

Working Conditions

This position is primarily onsite at the Student Wellness Center with some flexibility to work remotely. Occasional evenings and weekends required based on programmatic and departmental needs.

Job Family

Communications Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Eligible Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637. The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/