Director of Healthcare Public Relations

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Salary Not AvailableDirector/Executive8+ years expFull time

Posted 3 months ago

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Job Summary

Drive public relations and media strategy for a major health system, coordinating executive storytelling and crisis-ready communications.

  • Own primary media contact role and active media relations.
  • Must-have: 8–10 years in PR with healthcare leadership experience.
  • Standout: Established media relationships and track record of securing coverage.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for public relations and media strategy for the health system.
  • Lead and execute strategic public relations initiatives to elevate the reputation and visibility of UChicago Medicine and the Biological Sciences Division.
  • Develop and oversee comprehensive PR strategies, manages media relations, and acts as a trusted spokesperson and liaison.
  • Collaborate with executive leadership, clinical teams, and marketing to effectively communicate the organization’s mission, achievements, and innovations in healthcare delivery, research, and education through impactful storytelling and engagement, with a strong focus on delivery.
  • Develop and implement integrated PR strategies aligned with Elevate 2035 and department goals.
  • Act as primary media contact and spokesperson; manage proactive/reactive media relations for health system priorities.
  • Help manage issues and crisis communications, ensuring timely and consistent messaging and playbooks.
  • Build and maintain relationships with journalists, influencers, and media outlets.
  • Lead creation/distribution of press releases, op-eds, and thought leadership efforts.
  • Advise senior leaders on PR best practices and media engagement.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or related field.
  • 8-10 years of progressive PR experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role within healthcare or academic medical centers.
  • Proven success in developing and executing high-impact PR campaigns.
  • Deep understanding of healthcare industry trends, regulations, and best practices.
  • Familiarity with academic medical center environments (clinical care, research, and teaching missions).
  • Strong crisis communications and issues management experience.
  • Established media relationships and a track record of securing positive coverage.
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with senior executives and clinical leaders.
  • Expertise in media pitching, interview preparation, and press release writing.
UChicago Medicine logo

UChicago Medicine

3.5 Glassdoor

The University of Chicago Medicine has been at the forefront of medicine since 1927, when we cared for our first patients. Our mission is to provide superior health care in a compassionate manner, ever mindful of each patient's dignity and individuality. To accomplish our mission, we call upon the skills and expertise of all who work together to advance medical innovation, serve the health needs of the community, and further the knowledge of those dedicated to caring.As one of the nation’s leading academic medical institutions, UChicago Medicine comprises the Medical Center, Pritzker School of Medicine and the Biological Sciences Division. Its main Hyde Park campus is home to the Center for Care and Discovery, Bernard Mitchell Hospital, Comer Children’s Hospital and the Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine. It also has a 108,000-square-foot facility in Orland Park as well as an outpatient clinic in Chicago's South Loop, as well as affiliations and partnerships that create a regional network of doctors in dozens of Chicago-area communities. UChicago Medicine offers a full range of specialty-care services for adults and children through more than 40 institutes and centers including an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. It has 805 licensed beds, nearly 850 attending physicians, about 2,500 nurses and over 1,100 residents and fellows. Harvey-based Ingalls Health joined UChicago Medicine’s network in 2016.

Founded in 1927
Chicago, Illinois, USA
7.6K employees
56% recommend to a friend
53% CEO approval

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
840.5K
Monthly Google Ads Budget
$16.4K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
62%
Direct
31.1%
Referral
5.5%
Social
0.9%
Paid
0.4%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~7.7K

Funding

Total Funding
$2M
Last Raise
$2M
Grant, 9 years ago

Funding History

  • Sep 2016
    Grant • $2M

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