Organization

Michael Reese Health Trust

Location
Chicago

Illinois

Date Posted

May 11, 2026

Career Category

The Vice President of Communications and Development is a key member of the Michael Reese Health Trust Leadership Team. This leader will help define and elevate the foundation’s visibility and identity as both a funder and a doer—a collaborator, convenor, advocate, and bridge-builder advancing health equity across Chicagoland.

Reporting to the President & CEO, this individual will design, lead, and implement a communications strategy that is aligned with Michael Reese’s evolution into a public charity. This individual will strengthen internal and external communications with staff, board members, grantee partners, funders, policymakers, media, and the broader civic community. They will be responsible for building and maintaining communications systems and protocols to create efficiencies and enhance collaboration. This individual will work alongside the Leadership and Program Teams to elevate the mission and impact of Michael Reese.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and trusted partner who can shape narrative and influence across sectors. Internally, this person will partner with the Leadership Team to connect the dots across programs, finance, HR, and development to ensure coherent messaging and alignment with the Foundation’s goals. The role also serves as Michael Reese’s primary media contact and oversees earned media, digital strategy, messaging, storytelling, and brand evolution.

COMPENSATION

The salary range is $170,000 to $205,000 per year, with an excellent benefits package including generous paid time off, employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance, and an employer contribution to a retirement plan.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and drive a communications strategy around the Foundation’s efforts to advance health equity and systems change.
  • Advise the President & CEO and Leadership Team on messaging for internal and external audiences.
  • Guide board engagement and oversee the CEO report, board books, and meeting
  • Partner with the Leadership Team on donor and development
  • Ensure alignment across communications, programs, and organizational
  • Shape a cohesive MRHT narrative and brand that reflects the foundation’s values, history, and evolving role and cuts across our programs and
  • Support Michael Reese’s current development operations functions with Finance
  • In partnership with the CEO and Leadership Team, explore opportunities to shape Michael Reese’s development strategy and opportunities
External Positioning
  • Lead media relations and cultivate relationships with local, regional, and national outlets while generating earned media coverage on key initiatives.
  • Oversee digital strategy, including the website, social channels, executive voice, and digital storytelling.
  • Develop the annual report, impact stories, and thought-leadership
  • Lead Michael Reese’s annual signature event from concept to
  • Support the Program Team on external engagements, convenings, events, and public statements.
Internal Communications
  • Draft and edit communications for internal, board, and external
  • Compile and edit board books and committee Work with the Program Team to identify and develop external content that spotlights MRHT grantmaking progress and impact.
  • Strengthen internal alignment to ensure consistent messaging across
Management & Collaboration
  • Manage the Communications
  • Oversee external consultants, designers, event planners, and other
  • Foster a collaborative, curious, and high-performance communications

Desired Qualifications

The ideal applicants for the position will possess:

  • 8–10+ years of experience in communications, public affairs, marketing, or related fields
  • Experience in philanthropy, government, community development, health, or nonprofits preferred.
  • Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling
  • Experience advising senior leaders and boards; success in shaping narrative and organizational visibility.
  • Existing relationships with funders in philanthropy or ability to create
  • Strong project management abilities in a fast-moving
  • Sound judgment, collaborative style, and ability to anticipate risks and
  • Commitment to racial equity, community partnership, and advancing health equity in Chicago and

Application Process

  • Interested applicants should email materials to HR@wearemichaelreese.org including:
    1. A cover letter that explains why you are well suited for the position. Please include specific information on your experience leading non-profit communications and how you learned of the position.
    2. Your resume.
  • Please type your first and last name in the subject No phone calls, please.
  • If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application and hiring process, please email HR@wearemichaelreese.org.

Date Posted

05/11/2026

Closing Date

06/15/2026

About Michael Reese Health Trust

Michael Reese Health Trust (Michael Reese) is a 30-year-old organization focused on improving public health. Rooted in the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam – to heal the world – we work with fellow changemakers to build a Chicago where all can live healthy lives. As a public charity, Michael Reese leverages a range of tools and partnerships to drive meaningful change in our communities, prioritizing some of the area’s most pressing health challenges: preventing domestic violence, ending homelessness, strengthening the health workforce, and honoring our Jewish legacy. Visit https://wearemichaelreese.org.

Contact

HR@wearemichaelreese.org