Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.
Location: Olympia Center
Job Description
General Summary:
The Vice President, Strategic Communications will lead the development, execution and measurement of strategic communication plans that align with the overall mission, values and strategic initiatives of the Children’s Hospital of Chicago Medical Center and all of its corporate affiliates (Medical Center). This leader will create effective strategies to enhance employee engagement and understanding within our health system.
Essential Job Functions:
- The authority to hire, separate, promote, demote, write and administer performance evaluations.
- Develop and implement comprehensive internal communications strategies that align with the Medical Center’s mission, vision, values and strategic growth initiatives.
- Bring an editorial-based mindset to the Internal Communications Department to set communication cadence, message and channel standards across the health system.
- Lead the Internal Communications Department to ensure that communication initiatives are cohesive and effectively support the needs of various stakeholder groups within the health system.
- Partner with the Chief People Officer, Chief Administrative and Legal Officer, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Director of Public Affairs, Chief External Affairs Officer and VP of Government Affairs to align all internal communications efforts to ensure a clear and consistent message.
- Partner with Chief Information Officer (or their designees) to bring innovative solutions to how we communicate with internal employees.
- Serve as the strategic communications support and writer to the Chief Executive Officer and members of the CEO Cabinet, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and messaging consistency.
- Serve as the communication liaison between the Board(s) and the health system, ensuring timely dissemination of information to board members and communication from board members to the broader organization.
- Centralize internal communications and standardize cross-departmental operating procedures to ensure consistency and efficiency.
- Analyze and segment communications to target specific audiences within the health system, enhancing relevance and engagement.
- Develop the team as a strategic and tactical service provider, acting as an internal agency to its client, the health system stakeholders.
- Manage the budget for the Internal Communications Department.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of internal communication strategies and tools regularly, adjusting strategies as needed to improve outcomes and evolve the internal communications department.
- Grow a high-performing team by aligning capabilities with strategic priorities.
- Other job functions as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
Years of Relevant Experience:
- Minimum of 15 years of experience in communications or public relations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a healthcare setting preferred.
Skills:
- Excellent writing skills and impeccable verbal communication and people skills.
- Exceptional situational awareness.
- Client-centric mentality and the ability to anticipate the needs of stakeholders.
- Expert in customizing communication approaches to suit the unique needs of different operational departments.
- Proven track record of developing and implementing successful internal communication strategies in a large, complex organization.
- Ability to roll up your sleeves and execute strategic communications plans.
- Ability to capture the voice of senior leadership and work alongside senior leaders in fast-paced situations.
- Forward-thinker with the ability to bring about innovative communication practices.
- A willingness to innovate structure within the team and with the departments it works alongside.
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing cross-functional teams.
- Proven experience managing and communicating during crisis scenarios, including quickly developing crisis communications playbooks and plans.
- Deep understanding of the latest communication technologies and platforms and how they can be deployed in a healthcare environment.
- Knowledge of new media channels, including social media, and the ability to utilize these channels to communicate with internal employees effectively.
- Strategic thinker who can plan and execute while working collaboratively across departments.
Education: Bachelor's Degree (Required)
Benefit Statement
For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Employer paid group term life and disability
- Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave
- 403(b) with a 5% employer match
Various voluntary benefits:
- Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
- Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
- Tuition assistance
- Student loan servicing and support
- Adoption benefits
- Backup Childcare and Eldercare
- Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
- Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
- Discount purchasing program
There’s a Place for You with Us
At Lurie Children’s we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship.
This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.
Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Support email: candidatesupport@luriechildrens.org
