Senior Communications Manager

Job Description:

ABOUT THE CHICAGO SCHOOL

The Chicago School educates the next generation of change-makers in innovative theory and culturally competent practice to strengthen the integrated health of individuals, organizations, and communities. We enroll over 6,000 students across 40+ academic programs culminating in a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree or a professional certificate, and our unique approach to impact-focused education has made us a leading nonprofit university for over 45 years.

As an employee at The Chicago School, you can become a member of an inclusive community committed to excellence. At The Chicago School, we celebrate individuals of all backgrounds and identities for who they are and what they can contribute. We take pride in hiring and retaining the most dynamic, talented, and passionate professionals who will help us continue to innovate for decades to come.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chicago School is seeking a dynamic and results-driven communications professional for the Senior Communications Manager role. The Senior Communications Manager is an experienced external communications specialist with proven expertise in thought leadership development, campaign execution, and executive communications support. The Senior Communications Manager is a strategic executor on the University Communications team, implementing comprehensive external communications initiatives that elevate The Chicago School's profile and amplify executive thought leadership nationally and especially in Chicago/Illinois.

Reporting to the Executive Director for University Communications, this role will execute external communications campaigns, content development, and speaking engagement coordination that advance the university's visibility and strategic positioning.

The successful candidate will be an exceptional writer and detail-oriented project manager who excels at executing complex communications initiatives. This position requires strong content development skills, excellent stakeholder management abilities, and the capacity to coordinate high-visibility activities that drive measurable results.

This is a Chicago-based position that will be eligible for remote/hybrid work. This position will require occasional onsite support at the Chicago campus and may also require occasional travel to support initiatives across other campus locations in Southern California, Washington D.C., and Dallas.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Content Development & Management

• Execute thought leadership content production: Write, edit, and publish 8-10 high-quality thought leadership pieces annually that position the President as recognized experts in higher education and integrated healthcare

• Implement external communications campaigns: Execute comprehensive communications campaigns following approved strategies to measurably increase university visibility and brand recognition nationally and in Illinois/Chicago, in collaboration with Marketing

• Develop compelling content and messaging: Draft narratives, talking points, and messaging frameworks that advance institutional strategic initiatives (e.g., Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine)

Campaign Coordination & Management

• Coordinate executive-level speaking engagements: Secure, schedule, and manage 8-10 high-quality speaking engagements annually for the President in Chicago, ensuring strategic alignment with institutional goals and seamless execution

• Manage campaign implementation: Oversee the tactical execution of multi-channel external communications campaigns, including content distribution, timeline management, and stakeholder coordination, in collaboration with Marketing

• Monitor and report on campaign performance: Track engagement metrics, media coverage, and campaign effectiveness to provide regular updates to leadership

Team Support

• Supervise content development support: Manage 1-2 student research/writing assistants to support content production, research, and related campaign activities

• Execute University Communications projects: Complete assigned external communications projects and provide coverage for departmental initiatives as needed

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field

• 5-7+ years of experience in strategic communications, public relations, or content marketing

• Proven track record of developing and executing successful external communications campaigns

• Experience with thought leadership content development and campaign management

• Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills for diverse audiences

• Strong project management skills with ability to coordinate multiple projects across multiple stakeholders simultaneously

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyze and communicate data

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Communications, Public Relations, or related field

• Experience in higher education or corporate internal communications

• Background in employee engagement or organizational development

• Experience in higher education or healthcare communications

• Background in executive communications and thought leadership positioning

• Experience managing speaking engagements

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted at $80,000 - $95,000 base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.

https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/career-opportunities/

The Chicago School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note: For the protection of faculty, staff, students, and all who enter our facilities, The Chicago School strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per CDC guidance.