Senior Communications Specialist-Multiple Openings

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, IL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Communications Specialist supports managers and Communications team members in creating and executing communications plans for assigned focus areas. The role is an activation expert who understands how plan elements work together to maximize impact, stays current on communications thinking and channels, and executes plans accurately in coordination with team members. The specialist works collaboratively with internal stakeholders.

Multiple openings are available. The Physician Communications and Special Projects role supports planned projects, publications, unplanned messaging needs, and communications strategy and execution across multiple projects, including high-visibility communications for senior leaders and other stakeholders. It also supports communications across all hospitals, including targeted newsletters and web platforms, and partners with physician leaders on operational updates, clinical innovation, culture, and key initiatives.

The Patient Communications role partners with clinical and operational teams to plan and deliver strategic communications. It works with the Patient Education team, clinical teams, and subject matter experts to review or develop patient education materials and resources, ensure appropriate health literacy, and facilitate compliance with organizational, regulatory, and accreditation standards. It creates and edits patient instructions, managed care and insurance materials, patient letters, disease and condition information, and web copy. It applies health literacy, plain-language, and health-equity principles; uses approved AI tools responsibly; gathers and reconciles feedback and approvals; and manages multiple projects and competing priorities on tight timelines.

The Leader Communications role supports newsletter content development for Northwestern Memorial Foundation advisory councils. It identifies and develops story ideas, writes and edits content, manages editorial planning, and coordinates with Foundation, clinical, and Communications partners to ensure content is timely, relevant, and engaging.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., with a hybrid schedule requiring two days in the office. The listed location is 541 N. Fairbanks, Chicago, Illinois.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum 4–6 years of experience in communications, project management, or a related area.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a strong customer service orientation.
• Highly motivated and proactive, with a can-do attitude.
• Proven experience working in a team-oriented environment.
• For the Patient Communications opening, a licensed Registered Nurse in Illinois with three years of clinical nursing experience, or three years of clinical education experience.
• For the Patient Communications opening, knowledge of adult learning principles.
• For the Patient Communications opening, ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• For the Patient Communications opening, excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• For the Patient Communications opening, proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe applications.

Nice To Haves

• Health literacy certificate through the Institute for Health Advancement.
• Experience collaborating with clinical teams and subject matter experts.
• Understanding of the healthcare industry and academic medical centers.
• Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Support managers and Communications team members in developing and executing communications plans for assigned focus areas.
• Coordinate communications plan elements and execute communications plans accurately with other team members.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders in assigned focus areas.
• Support communications strategy, management, and execution for planned projects, publications, unplanned messaging needs, and high-visibility communications.
• Develop communications for physicians across hospitals, including targeted newsletters and web platforms, and partner with physician leaders on operational updates, clinical innovation, culture, and key initiatives.
• Partner with clinical and operational teams to plan and deliver strategic patient communications.
• Review and develop patient educational materials and resources with the Patient Education team, clinical teams, and subject matter experts, ensuring appropriate health literacy.
• Facilitate compliance with organizational, regulatory, and accreditation standards related to patient education.
• Create and edit patient instructions, managed care and insurance materials, patient letters, disease and condition information, and web copy.
• Apply health literacy, plain-language, and health-equity principles to make patient communications readable, accessible, and inclusive.
• Use Microsoft Copilot and other approved AI tools responsibly to support communications planning, writing, editing, and reporting.
• Gather and reconcile client feedback and approvals, applying communications expertise and professional judgment to strengthen final products.
• Manage multiple projects and competing priorities on tight timelines.
• Identify and develop story ideas; write and edit newsletter content; manage editorial planning; and coordinate with Foundation, clinical, and Communications partners.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Loan forgiveness
• 401(k) matching
• Lifecycle benefits
• Benefits supporting employees’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being and protection from unexpected life events

What This Job Offers

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