Associate Director, University Communications

Associate Director, University Communications

Chicago, IL, United States

1042461

Posted on: 8/26/2026 - Final date to receive applications: 9/9/2026

Associate Director, University Communications

Hiring Department
:
University Communications

Location
:
Chicago, IL USA

Requisition : 1042461

Posting Close Date
: 9/9/2026

Salary:
The salary range for this position is $90,000 -$120,000

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities.

UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), a leadinginstitution committed to student access and success, is seeking an Associate Director, University Communications to join the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications team. A successful candidate excels in written and multimedia communication, crafting materials like op-eds, commentaries, pressreleases, and media pitches, while also offering crisis communications support and media training.

Working jointly with the communications and marketing teamsof both the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications and the UI Healthand/or OVCHA, the Associate Director, University Communications, takes charge of media relations, storytelling, and news/crisismanagement in partnership with UI Health, and/or the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and the seven health sciences colleges, including

Applied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work,and the School of Public Health, encompassing their diverse programs and specialties. The role involves seamless integration with UIC's health sciences,clinical programs, and the University Communications and Storytelling and Content Strategy teams of Strategic Marketing and Communications. The primaryaim is to highlight and engage health sciences strengths in teaching, research,clinical care, and public service through proactive media coverage locally,nationally, and globally.

• Seek,prepare, write, review, and effectively disseminate media relations andcrisis/issues management content for the hospital, OVCHA and/or the health sciences colleges, programs, and specialties through diverse media channels including print, broadcast, and multimedia.
• Function as the key point of contact for the hospital and/or health sciences colleges, facilitating external news contacts and collaborations for both current and emerging news coverage. As a vital part of the UIC’s emergency response team, contribute to communication efforts and support.
• Identify and foster relationships with local, national, and international newsentities and organizational representatives, ensuring a consistent streamof positive coverage for the health science colleges and/or UI Health.
  
  Develop and maintain ongoing connections with media sources, faculty, staff, and students.
• Proactivelywrite and pitch UIC and UI Health research, clinical stories, events, andmajor grants/funding;…