Senior Communications Specialist-Multiple Openings

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Location: 541 N. Fairbanks, Chicago, IL

Schedule: (applies for all open positions)

• Full-time, Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM
• Hybrid, 2 days in office

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Minimum 4 - 6 years of experience in communications, project management or related area.

The Senior Communications Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Senior Communications Specialist is responsible for supporting their manager and other Communications team members in creating communications plans and execution of those plans for assigned focus areas. This role is an activation expert and understands how the elements of a communications plan work together for maximum impact. They know the latest thinking and channel options used for communications. Communications Specialists are also expected to have flawless execution of their plans in coordination with other team members. This individual works collaboratively with internal stakeholders in their assigned focus area.

Current Senior Specialist Opportunities:

1. Senior Specialist Physician Communications and Special Projects: This hybrid role supports planned projects and publications, along with unplanned messaging needs.

• For Special Projects, this role supports communications strategy, management and execution across multiple projects, including high-visibility communications for all audiences, from senior leaders to other stakeholders.
• For Physician Communications, this role supports communications across all hospitals, including strategy and writing for targeted newsletters and web platforms. It also partners with physician leaders on operational updates, clinical innovation, culture and key initiatives.

2. Senior Specialist Patient Communications: In this role, you will serve as a strategic communications partner to clinical and operational teams across Northwestern Medicine to plan and deliver thoughtful, strategic communications. The responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

• Partnering with the Patient Education team, clinical teams and subject matter experts to provide quality, comprehensive and timely review and/or development of patient educational materials and resources, ensuring appropriate health literacy level.
• Facilitating compliance with NM, regulatory and accreditation standards related to patient education in partnership with the Patient Education team.
• Creating and editing clear, concise and accurate patient communications, including patient instructions, managed care and insurance materials, patient letters, disease and condition information, and web copy.
• Applying health literacy, plain language and health equity principles to make patient communications and patient education documents readable, accessible and inclusive.
• Using Microsoft Copilot and other approved AI tools responsibly to support communications planning, writing, editing and reporting.
• Gathering and reconciling client feedback and approvals, using communications expertise and professional judgment to strengthen the final product.
• Managing multiple projects and competing priorities on tight timelines.

Seeking the following background and skill sets:

• Health literacy certificate through the Institute for Health Advancement is preferred
• Licensed Registered Nurse in the state of Illinois with 3 years clinical nursing experience or 3 years clinical education experience
• Knowledge of adult learning principles
• Able to read, write and communicate effectively in English
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe applications
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Experience collaborating with clinical teams and subject matter experts is preferred.
• The successful candidate must be a creative, collaborative and self-directed professional.

3. Senior Specialist Leader Communications: This role supports newsletter content development for Northwestern Memorial Foundation’s advisory councils, helping keep members informed, engaged and connected to the organization’s mission and impact.

In this role, you will:

• Identify and develop story ideas.
• Write and edit newsletter content.
• Manage editorial planning.
• Coordinate with Foundation, clinical and Communications partners to ensure content is timely, relevant and engaging.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Minimum 4 - 6 years of experience in communications, project management or related area.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with strong attention to detail. 
• Must have exceptional interpersonal skills with a strong customer service orientation.
• Highly motivated and proactive, with a “can-do” attitude.
• Proven experience working in a team-oriented environment.

Preferred:

• Understanding of healthcare industry and academic medical centers.
• Master's degree.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. 

Background Check 

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. 

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure 

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.  

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. 

Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information https://jobs.nm.org/benefits  

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.  

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.