Strategic Communications Lead

Careers with the American Osteopathic Association; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life and AD&D

Disability Insurance

FSA/HSA including Commuter Benefits

401k with match

Job summary

American Osteopathic Association in Chicago is seeking a Strategic Communications Lead to guide executive communications, thought leadership, stakeholder and affiliate relations, and crisis communications. Hybrid role with in-office presence on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the Downtown area.

The role reports to the Director of Corporate Communications and Reputation, translating strategy into compelling content across channels while elevating visibility of osteopathic medicine and AOA leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience 5 to 8 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations, or strategic communications.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex subject matter into clear compelling messaging for general audiences on healthcare policy and innovative programs.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills with the ability to translate complex topics into clear compelling narratives.
• Strong command of media relations and reputation focused messaging across earned, owned and digital channels.
• Strong project management skills and fluency with Asana or similar platforms.
• Ability to analyze communications data using platforms such as Sprout Social, Meltwater or Muck Rack.
• Working knowledge of GenAI tools and content quality controls.
• Digital communications fluency across social, multimedia and web content.
• Collaborative, detail oriented and able to maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute a comprehensive executive communications strategy that advances AOA priorities and strengthens leadership visibility among physicians, healthcare stakeholders, policymakers, affiliates and industry audiences.
• Lead messaging for affiliate and stakeholder communications including speeches, remarks, presentations, op-eds, articles, and talking points.
• Develop thought leadership content that elevates the voice and influence of AOA leaders within healthcare, medical education, policy and professional practice discussions.
• Support execution of the executive leadership communications roadmap ensuring alignment across initiatives, events, stakeholder engagements and opportunities.
• Coordinate proactive and reactive media relations efforts including media outreach, relationship management, and media list development.

Skills

Executive communications

Thought leadership

Media relations

Writing and editing

Project management

GenAI tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/Public Relations/Journalism/Marketing

Tools

Asana

Sprout Social

Meltwater

Muck Rack

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

THIS IS A HYBRID POSITION REQUIRING 2 DAYS PER WEEK TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY EACH WEEK IN PERSON AT OUR OFFICE LOCATED IN THE STREETERVILLEMAG MILE AREA OF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO IL The Strategic Communications Lead is a key member of the American Osteopathic Associations Corporate Communications Center of Excellence responsible for the day to day execution of executive communications thought leadership stakeholder and affiliate communications and issues and crisis communications Reporting to the Director of Corporate Communications and Reputation this role translates communications strategy into impactful content and programs that strengthen reputation build stakeholder trust and elevate the visibility of osteopathic medicine and AOA leadership As the primary resource for executive messaging and writing thought leadership stakeholder communications and issues management support this position develops compelling content coordinates communications initiatives and helps ensure effective communication during emerging issues and crisis situations The role requires strong corporate communications expertise exceptional writing and storytelling skills and a modern approach to audience engagement channel integration and reputation management Beyond its core focus areas the position supports broader corporate communications priorities including media relations executive visibility and reputation building initiatives

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Executive Communications and Thought Leadership

Manage and execute a comprehensive executive communications strategy that advances AOA priorities and strengthens leadership visibility among physicians healthcare stakeholders policymakers affiliates and industry audiences Serve as the lead writer and editor for executive communications including speeches remarks presentations op eds articles correspondence briefing materials talking points and strategic messaging Partner closely with senior leadership to translate organizational priorities complex healthcare issues and policy positions into compelling narratives and audience specific communications Develop thought leadership content that elevates the voice expertise and influence of AOA leaders within healthcare medical education policy and professional practice discussions Support execution of the executive leadership communications roadmap ensuring alignment across key initiatives events stakeholder engagements and public facing opportunities

Affiliate and Stakeholder Communications

Lead strategic communications efforts that strengthen relationships with affiliated organizations physician leaders healthcare partners policymakers and other key stakeholders Develop messaging frameworks communications plans and content that support engagement with affiliates and advance shared organizational goals Ensure alignment and consistency across stakeholder facing communications while addressing the unique needs of diverse audiences Support communications that elevate awareness of AOA priorities policy positions advocacy efforts and the value of osteopathic medicine among external stakeholders

Issues and Crisis Communications

Maintain issues and crisis communications readiness plans messaging frameworks and response materials Monitor emerging issues reputational risks healthcare trends and policy developments; provide recommendations and accelerate concerns appropriately Develop holding statements response messaging executive guidance FAQs and stakeholder communications during active issues Help coordinate rapid disciplined and cross functional communications responses that protect organizational credibility and stakeholder trust Support scenario planning reputation risk assessment and post incident communications evaluation

Corporate Communications Leadership and Execution

Own the planning and execution of priority corporate communications initiatives that reinforce the institutional narrative and advance awareness of osteopathic medicine Translate communications strategy into actionable plans timelines and deliverables driving execution with limited oversight Serve as a senior communications strategist writer and editor responsible for producing and finalizing high visibility communications across channels and audiences Ensure quality consistency and message alignment across communications programs and deliverables Contribute to organizational reputation management by maintaining a clear and consistent voice across external communications

Media Relations and Earned Media

Support proactive and reactive media relations efforts including media outreach relationship management pitching and media list development Draft and edit press releases media pitches statements backgrounders talking points and Q&A documents Coordinate media inquiries clarifications and follow up communications in partnership with communications leadership Monitor media coverage and identify opportunities to elevate AOA priorities executive thought leadership and the osteopathic profession Assist in positioning AOA leaders and subject matter experts as credible sources for healthcare policy and professional practice discussions

Cross Channel Content Development and Collaboration

Partner with integrated marketing content brand digital and social media teams to adapt executive corporate and stakeholder messaging for multiple channels and audiences Ensure cohesive storytelling and audience engagement across earned owned shared and digital communications channels Coordinate with internal teams to align communications strategies with policy advocacy and organizational objectives Contribute content development for digital social multimedia web and marketing channels as needed

Communications Planning Measurement and Reporting

Establish and monitor communications goals KPIs and performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness and inform decision making Track measures including reach engagement sentiment share of voice media outcomes stakeholder engagement and reputation indicators Use media monitoring and analytics tools to identify trends optimize communications strategies and demonstrate impact Prepare clear actionable reporting and recommendations for communications leadership and senior executives

Team Coordination and Project Management

Coordinate workflows priorities approvals and timelines across multiple communications initiatives Review and strengthen the work of colleagues and external partners modeling strong communications judgment and editorial excellence Manage multiple concurrent projects using effective planning processes and project management tools Maintain organized documentation and ensure high quality on time delivery of communications products

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience 5 to 8 years of progressive experience in corporate communications public relations media relations or strategic communications
• Demonstrated experience leading communications and producing high visibility content in complex or mission driven organizations
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex subject matter into clear compelling messaging for general audiences on topics such as healthcare policy and innovative programs
• Special Skills Exceptional writing and editing skills with the ability to translate complex topics into clear compelling narratives
• Strong command of media relations and reputation focused messaging across earned owned and digital channels
• Sound judgment and the ability to provide counsel to colleagues and support senior stakeholders
• Working knowledge of issues and crisis communications
• Strong project management skills and fluency with Asana or similar platforms
• Ability to analyze communications data and report insights using platforms such as Sprout Social Meltwater Muck Rack or similar
• Working knowledge of GenAI tools and content quality controls
• Digital communications fluency across social multimedia and web content
• Collaborative detail oriented and able to maintain confidentiality

Education

Bachelors degree in Communications Public Relations Journalism Marketing or related field or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Physical Work is generally sedentary in nature but requires occasional standing walking and lifting or moving objects up to 25 pounds Requires manual dexterity to use a computer telephone and peripherals May occasionally work prolonged or irregular hours including evenings and weekends Mental Work is performed in a fast paced dynamic environment Requires the ability to adapt quickly to stressful situations exercise good judgment communicate effectively orally and in writing and interact appropriately with internal and external stakeholders Environment Standard office environment This is a hybrid position requiring in office presence on Tuesday and Wednesday of each week

Salary Range 85000 95000

The AOA offers the following benefits Medical Dental Vision Life and AD&D Long and Short term Disability FSAHSA including Commuter Benefits401k with match

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy age national origin disability status genetic information protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law

Visa Sponsorship

American Osteopathic Association is unable to sponsor work visas at this time