Responsibilities

• 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.
• Collaborate across the entire marketing department for message consistency and go-to-market activations.
• Monitor media coverage and analyze PR campaign performance; provide regular reports to leadership.
• Manage and mentor PR team members, fostering professional development; serve as main point of contact for PR agency of record.

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.

Preferred

• Knowledge of digital media trends and tools relevant to PR
• Demonstrated leadership, team-building, and project-management abilities

Benefits

• Benefits - UChicago Medicine
• Review the full complement of benefit options for eligible roles at Benefits - UChicago Medicine .