Senior Internal Communications Strategist

Nashville Public Radio; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago seeks a Manager, Strategic Internal Communications to develop and lead enterprise internal communications strategies that promote clarity, alignment and engagement across the health system.

You will advise leaders, shape messaging, plan communication across channels, and coach teams to improve storytelling and content workflows, while partnering with senior leaders to ensure timely, measurable employee communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible communications experience, including strategic internal communications.
• Demonstrated experience developing enterprise communications strategies and advising organizational leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading and storytelling skills.
• Strong experience leading communication planning for complex organizational initiatives and change management efforts.
• Experience developing content strategies across multiple communication channels.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and advise leaders at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring or leading cross-functional teams and projects.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
• Experience using communication analytics, survey tools and performance metrics to guide strategy.
• Strong analytical, organizational and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to work independently while successfully leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of AP Style and editorial best practices.
• Experience working collaboratively with creative professionals, vendors and business partners.
• Budget management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead comprehensive internal communications strategies that support organizational priorities, enterprise initiatives and executive leadership objectives.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to leaders, providing strategic counsel on message development, audience needs, communication timing, sequencing and delivery.
• Lead communications planning for complex organizational initiatives, operational priorities and change management efforts.
• Anticipate employee information needs and recommend communication approaches that promote transparency, alignment and trust.
• Ensure consistency, quality and strategic alignment across enterprise internal communications.
• Establish and maintain standards, policies, governance and best practices for Rush’s internal communications channels and content strategy.
• Lead the development and management of the systemwide internal editorial calendar, prioritizing communications based on organizational priorities and audience needs.
• Recommend and oversee appropriate internal communication channels, formats and distribution strategies.
• Continuously evaluate and improve internal communication processes, workflows and operational efficiency.
• Lead the adoption of new communication technologies and digital tools that improve employee engagement and communication effectiveness.
• Partner with Marketing Communications Department leadership to drive implementation of a unified content strategy across Rush.
• Partner with senior leaders, operational teams and subject matter experts to develop communication strategies that support organizational decision-making and execution.
• Build collaborative relationships across departments to ensure coordinated, consistent enterprise messaging.
• Represent Internal Communications on enterprise committees, workgroups and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as a communications liaison for assigned organizational priorities and business units.
• Collaborate with Marketing Communications colleagues to ensure alignment between internal and external messaging when appropriate.
• Provide leadership, coaching and strategic direction to content contributors, interns, project teams and cross-functional partners.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on creativity, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Establish editorial standards and provide coaching that promotes high-quality writing, storytelling and communication planning.
• Lead brainstorming sessions, story development and editorial planning that support organizational priorities.
• Identify emerging internal communications needs, industry trends and organizational risks, and proactively recommend communication strategies that advance organizational goals.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, freelancers and creative partners as appropriate.
• Lead enterprise editorial planning and content prioritization across internal communication channels.
• Ensure all content supports Rush's mission, strategic priorities, brand positioning and employee experience.
• Guide the development of compelling, audience-focused storytelling that communicates complex topics clearly and effectively.
• Oversee content development from planning through publication and evaluation, ensuring editorial quality and strategic alignment.
• Provide editorial direction and final review for significant internal communications initiatives.
• Serve as the team's primary editorial authority, establishing and maintaining editorial standards, AP style and messaging consistency.
• Review and edit communications developed by colleagues and business partners, providing constructive feedback and coaching to strengthen writing quality.
• Evaluate, prioritize and provide strategic recommendations for internal communications requests based on organizational priorities, audience needs and channel effectiveness.
• Serve as a member of the Internal Communications emergency response team, supporting organizational incident communications, emergency notification processes and after-hours communications responsibilities, including ongoing participation in pager rotation.
• Assist in developing and maintaining emergency communication procedures and related documentation.

Skills

Strategic Communications

Executive Partnership

Strategic Thinking

Storytelling

Editorial Leadership

Cross-functional Collaboration

Project Management

Change Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago seeks a Manager, Strategic Internal Communications to develop and lead enterprise internal communications strategies that promote clarity, alignment and engagement across the health system.

You will advise leaders, shape messaging, plan communication across channels, and coach teams to improve storytelling and content workflows, while partnering with senior leaders to ensure timely, measurable employee communications.