Location: Chicago, Illinois
Hospital: Rush University Medical Center
Department: RUSH Strategic Internal Comm
Work Type: Full Time
Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).
Pay Range: $45.59 - $66.16 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case. This role has a corresponding incentive plan based on multiple factors. incentive compensation and additional benefits can be found on our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits)
Summary
The Manager, Strategic Internal Communications develops, leads and implements enterprise internal communications strategies that promote organizational clarity, alignment and engagement across Rush University System for Health. Serving as a trusted communications advisor to leaders and cross-functional teams, this role provides counsel on message development, audience strategy, communication planning and change management for complex organizational initiatives.
In addition to leading strategic communications efforts, the manager helps shape the direction and effectiveness of the Internal Communications team by establishing editorial standards, improving workflows, cultivating high-quality storytelling and coaching colleagues through constructive feedback and collaboration. The role fosters innovation, strengthens content strategy and promotes continuous improvement across internal communications channels and processes.
The manager partners closely with senior leaders and stakeholders to ensure communications are timely, aligned, measurable and responsive to organizational needs while helping advance a connected, informed and engaged employee experience.
Other Information
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Seven to ten years of progressively responsible communications experience, including strategic internal communications.
- Demonstrated experience developing enterprise communications strategies and advising organizational leaders.
- Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
- Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading and storytelling skills.
- Strong experience leading communication planning for complex organizational initiatives and change management efforts.
- Experience developing content strategies across multiple communication channels.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and advise leaders at all organizational levels.
- Demonstrated leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring or leading cross-functional teams and projects.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
- Experience using communication analytics, survey tools and performance metrics to guide strategy.
- Strong analytical, organizational and critical-thinking skills.
- Ability to work independently while successfully leading cross-functional initiatives.
- Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Knowledge of AP Style and editorial best practices.
- Experience working collaboratively with creative professionals, vendors and business partners.
- Budget management experience preferred.
Preferred Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, brand strategy, organizational development, or related field preferred.
- Experience in healthcare communications strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting executive communications and organizational leadership.
- Experience with employee engagement, organizational change communications and enterprise communication strategy.
- Experience with digital communications platforms, intranet strategy and content governance.
Physical Demands
N/A
Competencies
- Strategic Communications
- Executive Partnership & Influence
- Strategic Thinking
- Storytelling & Message Development
- Editorial Leadership
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Project & Program Management
- Change Leadership
Disclaimer
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.
Responsibilities
Strategic Communications
- Develop and lead comprehensive internal communications strategies that support organizational priorities, enterprise initiatives and executive leadership objectives.
- Serve as a trusted communications advisor to leaders, providing strategic counsel on message development, audience needs, communication timing, sequencing and delivery.
- Lead communications planning for complex organizational initiatives, operational priorities and change management efforts.
- Anticipate employee information needs and recommend communication approaches that promote transparency, alignment and trust.
- Ensure consistency, quality and strategic alignment across enterprise internal communications.
Content Strategy & Governance
- Establish and maintain standards, policies, governance and best practices for Rush’s internal communications channels and content strategy.
- Lead the development and management of the systemwide internal editorial calendar, prioritizing communications based on organizational priorities and audience needs.
- Recommend and oversee appropriate internal communication channels, formats and distribution strategies.
- Continuously evaluate and improve internal communication processes, workflows and operational efficiency.
- Lead the adoption of new communication technologies and digital tools that improve employee engagement and communication effectiveness.
- Partner with Marketing Communications Department leadership to drive implementation of a unified content strategy across Rush.
Executive & Organizational Partnership
- Partner with senior leaders, operational teams and subject matter experts to develop communication strategies that support organizational decision-making and execution.
- Build collaborative relationships across departments to ensure coordinated, consistent enterprise messaging.
- Represent Internal Communications on enterprise committees, workgroups and strategic initiatives.
- Serve as a communications liaison for assigned organizational priorities and business units.
- Collaborate with Marketing Communications colleagues to ensure alignment between internal and external messaging when appropriate.
Leadership
- Provide leadership, coaching and strategic direction to content contributors, interns, project teams and cross-functional partners.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on creativity, innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Establish editorial standards and provide coaching that promotes high-quality writing, storytelling and communication planning.
- Lead brainstorming sessions, story development and editorial planning that support organizational priorities.
- Identify emerging internal communications needs, industry trends and organizational risks, and proactively recommend communication strategies that advance organizational goals.
- Manage relationships with external vendors, freelancers and creative partners as appropriate.
Editorial Oversight & Storytelling
- Lead enterprise editorial planning and content prioritization across internal communication channels.
- Ensure all content supports Rush's mission, strategic priorities, brand positioning and employee experience.
- Guide the development of compelling, audience-focused storytelling that communicates complex topics clearly and effectively.
- Oversee content development from planning through publication and evaluation, ensuring editorial quality and strategic alignment.
- Provide editorial direction and final review for significant internal communications initiatives.
- Serve as the team's primary editorial authority, establishing and maintaining editorial standards, AP style and messaging consistency.
- Review and edit communications developed by colleagues and business partners, providing constructive feedback and coaching to strengthen writing quality.
- Evaluate, prioritize and provide strategic recommendations for internal communications requests based on organizational priorities, audience needs and channel effectiveness.
Writing & Content Development
- Develop and edit high-impact communications for enterprise initiatives, executive leadership and organizational priorities.
- Translate complex business and healthcare topics into clear, engaging communications for diverse audiences.
- Conduct interviews, research and information gathering to support strategic communications initiatives.
- Collaborate with writers, designers, photographers and videographers to develop engaging multimedia content.
- Maintain exceptional editorial standards across all communication materials.
Team Measurement & Continuous Improvement
- Establish key performance indicators and success metrics for internal communications initiatives.
- Evaluate communication effectiveness through analytics, surveys, engagement metrics and qualitative feedback.
- Develop recommendations that improve communication strategy, channel performance and employee engagement.
- Present communication insights, trends and strategic recommendations to department leadership and organizational stakeholders.
Emergency Communications
- Serve as a member of the Internal Communications emergency response team, supporting organizational incident communications, emergency notification processes and after-hours communications responsibilities, including ongoing participation in pager rotation.
- Assist in developing and maintaining emergency communication procedures and related documentation.
Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
