Executive Director, Strategic Development Communications Rush University Medical Center

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Philanthropy

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:30:00 AM – 5:00:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page:

Pay Range: $108,472 – $161,616 per year
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.

Summary

The Executive Director, Strategic Development Communications will establish the communications direction for Rush’s Office of Philanthropy and the budget to support this effort, including oversight of mass donor communications, multimedia donor communications and customized donor communications for individual, corporate and foundation donors. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Strategic Engagement, and directly managing the Senior Director of Development Communications, Director of Multimedia Development Communications, Associate Director of Philanthropy Communications and Senior Director of Strategic Development Communications, they will oversee the team’s development of fundraising proposals in collaboration with fundraising staff to articulate donor impact on the vision and goals of Rush University System for Health. They will develop and oversee communication strategies office-wide to support Rush’s philanthropic initiatives and key fundraising priorities. The executive director will work closely with the special events and alumni relations team leaders, as well as colleagues in stewardship; individual giving; corporate and foundation relations; data, systems and reporting; and marketing communications, to unify and execute the communications strategy across all channels. The executive director establishes and ensures quality standards and accuracy of communications; upholds consistency and continuity with broader Rush marketing initiatives and brand standards. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, marketing or other communications-related major.
• 10 years of communications experience with at least 5 years successfully managing employees.
• Experience writing and editing for website and email communications.
• Experience conceiving and managing projects from inception to delivery.
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills.
• Copyediting skills, with proficiency in AP style.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies and plans that include measurable goals, budgets and schedules; participate in and guide the office-wide adherence and execution of those strategies; make data-informed decisions about direction and goals.
• Work and support Rush and Office of Philanthropy leadership in the development of themes and messages that articulate the promise of and vision for philanthropic giving at Rush. In partnership with Marketing Communications and Office of Philanthropy stakeholders, support leadership through the development of talking points about the need and impact of giving for use at a variety of events and in donor engagements.
• Plan and guide production of multichannel philanthropy content, aimed at a variety of audiences, which reinforces philanthropic priorities, strategically supports stewardship efforts, promotes a culture of philanthropy, engages ambassadors, is reflective of Rush’s commitment to and strategy around diversity, equity and inclusion, and, above all, inspires giving; think creatively and strategically about how communications functions contribute to office-wide goals.
• Supervise and lead a team comprising a Senior Director of Development Communications, Director of Multimedia Development Communications, Associate Director of Philanthropy Communications, and Senior Director of Strategic Development Communications, plus direct reports of these roles. Hire freelance assistance as appropriate.
• Serve as a member of the Philanthropy Leadership Team (PLT), working closely with peer executive directors and Philanthropy leadership to set and achieve fundraising and engagement goals, set and review office-wide policies, and communicate leadership updates to all members of the Strategic Development Communications team.
• Oversee the prioritization and support strategy for writing and editorial partnership in major, principal and transformational gift fundraising, including the development of donor proposals, cultivation content and stewardship reports for gifts of $100,000 to $100M+. Work with the Senior Director, Strategic Development Communications to develop high-priority cases for support and other content that conveys the need and impact of giving to specific philanthropic priorities.
• Working closely with institutional and office leadership, front-line fundraisers, the senior director of stewardship and the marketing and media relations teams, ensure appropriate recognition of noteworthy philanthropic gifts through news releases, feature stories, social media posts and other externally published content.
• Work within established budgets to oversee production of videos, presentations, and print and electronic publications; collaborate with the Philanthropy staff, in-house design team and outside vendors; ensure that established deadlines and quality standards are met.
• Oversee the tools and processes to intake, prioritize and manage philanthropy-related graphic design projects; ensure continued evaluation and process improvement to maximize efficiency, project quality and the satisfaction of key stakeholders.
• In collaboration with the Data, Systems and Reporting team and a range of stakeholders who send external communications, develop and support standard practices around how we capture and use digital communications performance data. Work with the Associate Director, Philanthropy Communications to analyze performance data and opportunities for continuous improvement in communications effectiveness.
• Oversee editorial review process for all external philanthropy and alumni communications; ensure quality of communications by strategizing on theme, messaging, content and layout.
• Coordinate office-wide content-sharing efforts.

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.