Associate Director, University Communications
Job Location:
Chicago, IL - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Associate Director University Communications
Hiring Department: University Communications
Location:Chicago IL USA
Requisition ID:
Posting Close Date: 9/9/2026
Salary:The salary range for this position is $90000 -$120000
About the University of Illinois Chicago
UIC is among the nations preeminent urban public research universities a Carnegie RU/VH research institution and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34000 students comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic corporate and community partners worldwide including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students UIC embodies the dynamic vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent Best Colleges rankings published by U.S. News & World Report found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300000 alumni and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health Dental Vision LifeInsurance a Retirement Plan Paid time Off and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) a leadinginstitution committed to student access and success is seeking an AssociateDirector University Communications to join the Office of Strategic Marketingand Communications team. A successful candidate excels in written andmultimedia communication crafting materials like op-eds commentaries pressreleases and media pitches while also offering crisis communications supportand media training.
Position Overview
Working jointly with the communications and marketing teamsof both the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications and the UI Healthand/or OVCHA the Associate Director UniversityCommunications takes charge of media relations storytelling and news/crisismanagement in partnership with UI Health and/or the Office of the ViceChancellor for Health Affairs and the seven health sciences colleges includingApplied Health Sciences Dentistry Medicine Nursing Pharmacy Social Workand the School of Public Health encompassing their diverse programs andspecialties. The role involves seamless integration with UICs health sciencesclinical programs and the University Communications and Storytelling andContent Strategy teams of Strategic Marketing and Communications. The primaryaim is to highlight and engage health sciences strengths in teaching researchclinical care and public service through proactive media coverage locallynationally and globally.
Duties & Responsibilities
Function as the key point of contact for the hospital and/or health sciences colleges facilitating external news contacts and collaborations for both current and emerging news coverage. As a vital part of the UICs emergency response team contribute to communication efforts and support.
Identify and foster relationships with local national and international news entities and organizational representatives ensuring a consistent stream of positive coverage for the health science colleges and/or UI Health. Develop and maintain ongoing connections with media sources faculty staff and students.
Proactively write and pitch UIC and UI Health research clinical stories events and major grants/funding; pitch and place UIC and UI Health experts and faculty for topical breaking and trending news stories.
Respond to news media inquiries schedule and negotiate interviews and written content.
Cultivate and curate an aligned and collaborative landscape of storytelling across all channels and media.
Advise university and hospital leadership along with faculty and staff on media responses and strategies for protecting and stewarding the reputation of the institution.
Provide crisis communications support and media training.
In-depth ability to research and communicate complex information such as medical research clinical innovations or health policy issues to a broad audience using knowledge of concepts within a specialized field.
Plan and prepare stories; write edit proofread and copy-edit a variety of technical articles reports brochures and manuals for wide dissemination.
Coordinate activities with audio/video specialists graphic designers digital media and others to activate and support multiplatform storytelling.
Perform other duties as they emerge in an ever-evolving marketing and communications landscape.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Journalism Media Public Relations Advertising Marketing Science or a related field.
Five (5) years of professional experience in media relations communications public relations journalism or a related field including issues management crisis communications and storytelling.
Demonstrated knowledge of federal state and local healthcare laws and regulatory requirements including privacy and confidentiality standards for healthcare communications.
Strong written communication skills including professional experience writing editing and proofreading content for internal external media or public audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
Masters degree preferred
Demonstrated experience identifying developing and prioritizing news stories; conducting interviews; and gathering information from multiple sources to produce accurate and engaging communications materials within a higher educational institution or healthcare setting.
Experience working in highly collaborative environments requiring effective interpersonal skills cultural awareness and the ability to maintain positive solution-orientated relationships.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously prioritize competing deadlines adapt to changing priorities and maintain a high level of accuracy attention to detail and quality.
For fullest consideration please submit a cover letter and resume byWednesday September 9 2026. Questions can be directedto the UIC Chancellor/Provost Business Services Center at
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position however all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Required Experience:
Director
