WSU Community Engagement Mgr-27034

Rush University Medical Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 79,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago seeks a Manager of Community Engagement to lead West Side United’s community outreach and partnership-building efforts. This role drives strategic engagement with residents, community organizations, and stakeholders to advance health equity across Chicago’s West Side.

Reporting to the Director of Community Investment and Development, you will design programs, facilitate listening sessions, and translate community input into actionable initiatives that

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Work, Urban Planning, Communications, or a related field
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong attention to detail
• Strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth
• Ability to work effectively across sectors and with diverse stakeholders with competing interests

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive community engagement strategy aligned with WSU’s strategic plan
• Identify partners across programs, assess gaps, and pursue new partnerships
• Design engagement approaches suitable for partner types and relationships
• Collaborate with data and evaluation teams to measure engagement impact

Skills

Community engagement

Communication skills

Project management

Relationship building

Facilitation

Cross-sector collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health

Job description

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: West Side United

Work Type: Full Time

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $38.02 - $55.18 per hour

Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case. This role has a corresponding incentive plan based on multiple factors. incentive compensation and additional benefits can be found on our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits)

Summary

Rush University Medical Center (Rush) has served as an incubator for WEST SIDE UNITED (WSU), an ambitious nonprofit that aims to eliminate the life expectancy gap between residents in Chicago’s West Side neighborhoods and those in the loop by building health and economic vitality across Chicago’s West Side neighborhoods (Austin, Lower West Side, North/South Lawndale, East/West Garfield Park, Near West Side, Humboldt Park and Belmont-Cragin). WSU achieves this mission through partnerships with anchor institutions, community-based organizations, the faith community, residents, government agencies, and the Chicago business and civic community organizations to scale the impact of existing initiatives, develop new programs, and provide coordinated support to existing neighborhood networks. Rush has committed to financial oversight of staffing and resources for WSU.

WSU is led by an Executive Leadership Council, which includes executives from UI Health, Cook County Health, Sinai Chicago, Rush, and Lurie Children’s Hospital co-governed with West Side community leaders. However, WSU’s vision, scope, administration and programming have developed through a collaborative effort with multiple stakeholders. The goal of WSU’s Thrive West Side work is to boost the West Side spend, hiring and investing efforts of partner institutions, including WSU’s founding hospitals and corporate partners.

Reporting to the Director of Community Investment and Development, the Manager of Community Engagement is responsible for designing and implementing WSU’s community engagement strategy to ensure that West Side residents and community stakeholders are meaningfully integrated into WSU’s work. This role will lead efforts to build trusted community relationships and integrate community participation across WSU’s focus areas, including economic mobility, community investment, and health initiatives. The Manager will ensure that community perspectives directly inform decision-making, partnership development, and program design.

Other Information

Required Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Work, Urban Planning, Communications, or a related field
• At least 7 years of experience in community engagement, community organizing, or related community-oriented programmatic work
• Demonstrated experience working with community-based organizations and diverse populations
• Experience designing and facilitating community engagement processes (e.g., listening sessions, focus groups, public forums, events)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong attention to detail
• Strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth
• Ability to work effectively across sectors and with diverse stakeholders wit competing interests
• Understands and/or has had an opportunity to work on issues related to health equity, economic development, and social determinants of health preferred
• Experience working with diverse teams and communities of color
• Exceptional communication and relationship management skills, with ability to navigate competing priorities and build alignment
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for West Side United’s mission

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Masters degree in Public Health, Social Work, Urban Planning, Communications, or a related field

Physical Demands

• Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Must have the ability to walk short distances, and/or drive a vehicle or use transportation methods to attend meetings with stakeholders in various settings.

Competencies

• Community-centered relationship building and ability to build trust with diverse partners
• Strong facilitation and active listening skills
• Ability to translate community input into action-oriented recommendations
• Cultural competence and experience working with diverse communities
• Cross-functional collaboration and partnership management
• Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple engagement efforts
• Commitment to advancing equity and addressing systemic disparities

Disclaimer

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

Responsibilities

Community Engagement Strategy & Implementation

• Develop and execute a comprehensive community engagement strategy aligned with WSU’s 2026–2030 strategic plan and goals
• Identify and document WSU’s current partners and partnership types across programs (economic mobility, community investment, health access); identify gaps and opportunities for new partnerships
• Design engagement approaches appropriate for partner type and relationship
• In partnership with the Director of Data and Evaluation, establish clear goals to measure the effectiveness of engagement efforts

Community Relationship Building

• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with:
• West Side residents and community leaders
• Community-based organizations (CBOs)
• Program partners
• Provide warm handoffs of partners and potential partners to WSU program staff
• Ensure consistent, transparent communication regarding WSU priorities, initiatives, and progress

Community Voice Integration

• Facilitate regular community listening sessions, focus groups, and forums (e.g., monthly sessions)
• Partner with internal teams to ensure community perspectives are incorporated into actionable activities across the Economic Mobility, Community Investment, and Health Access programs
• Support staff in embedding community engagement practices into their work
• Collaborate with CBOs and grassroots organizations to identify areas of alignment and opportunity for coordination with WSU initiatives
• Build an understanding of neighborhood ecosystems around WSU’s initiatives, specifically identifying where and how WSU can support existing community strategies, for example through communities Quality of Life Plans

Build and Maintain Community Advisory Council

• In partnership with programmatic staff, WSU board, and leadership, identify high quality candidates to invite to apply
• Lead the CAC selection process, with input from WSU stakeholders
• Host quarterly CAC meetings to solicit and understand alignment or input to WSU strategies
• Bring on new CAC members as needed

Communications & Outreach

• Partner with communications and leadership to develop culturally relevant messaging and outreach strategies
• Increase community awareness and feedback into WSU-supported initiatives
• Support development of materials that clearly communicate opportunities, resources, and outcomes

Data, Tracking & Reporting

• Track community engagement activities, participation levels, and outcomes
• Develop systems to capture and report community feedback in a structured way
• Provide regular updates to leadership on engagement insights

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.