Communications Specialist-Multiple Openings

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Northwestern Medicine is hiring Communications Specialists for multiple openings supporting its Communications team. The role supports the Manager and other Communications team members in executing communications plans for assigned focus areas. Specialists coordinate the elements of communications plans to maximize impact, execute plans accurately and on time, and collaborate with internal stakeholders.

Openings include Employee Communications, Leader Communications, and Consumer Communications. Employee Communications responsibilities include creating messages across channels, finding and interviewing employees and subject-matter experts, managing projects from intake through publication, and partnering with internal clients to strengthen content and employee engagement. Leader Communications supports executive social media strategy by identifying content opportunities, developing and editing posts, and coordinating editorial planning with leaders and Communications partners. Consumer Communications develops and updates consumer health blog, newsletter, and donor newsletter content; writes and edits evidence-based health articles in plain language; drafts social media copy; coordinates clinical reviews and clinician interviews; optimizes content for traditional and AI-powered search; and supports donor storytelling and other website copywriting.

The position is based at 541 N. Fairbanks in Chicago, Illinois, and follows a hybrid schedule with two days in the office. The schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The role has no direct reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field.
• At least two years of experience in communications, marketing, and project management.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Basic knowledge of print production.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a strong customer-service orientation.
• Highly motivated and proactive, with a can-do attitude.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of the healthcare industry and academic medical centers.
• Experience writing and editing consumer health or science content.
• Experience drafting social media copy.
• Strong command of AP style.
• Working knowledge of SEO, AI tools, email platforms, and web analytics.
• Experience in donor or nonprofit communications.

Responsibilities

• Support the Manager and Communications team members in executing communications plans for assigned focus areas.
• Coordinate and execute communications plan elements for maximum impact and ensure accurate, timely delivery.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and clients in assigned focus areas.
• Develop clear, engaging messages across multiple channels.
• Identify and interview employees and subject-matter experts to develop stories.
• Manage communications projects from intake through publication, coordinating timelines, client input, editorial and design reviews, approvals, photography, and other production needs.
• Build relationships with internal clients and subject-matter experts, translate business needs into practical communications approaches, and identify opportunities to strengthen content and employee engagement.
• Identify content opportunities for executive communications, develop and edit executive posts, and coordinate editorial planning with leaders and Communications partners.
• Develop and update content for the HealthBeat consumer health blog, consumer newsletters, and donor newsletters.
• Write, update, and edit evidence-based consumer health articles in plain language and according to AP style.
• Draft social media copy for related articles.
• Coordinate clinical reviews and interview clinicians.
• Optimize content for traditional and AI-powered search.
• Use tools such as Semrush, Microsoft Copilot, and other approved AI tools responsibly to support content planning, writing, editing, and reporting.
• Support donor storytelling and newsletter project management by identifying, recommending, and writing stories about how donations support patient outcomes, medical advances, research, and care facilities.
• Support other copywriting activities for nm.org as needed.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Loan forgiveness
• 401(k) matching
• Lifecycle benefits
• A range of benefits supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being and protection against unexpected life events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level