Vice President of Communications and Development

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.

About the Role

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.

The Work Schedule

Michael Reese Health Trust values work–life balance and currently operates on a hybrid schedule, with staff in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This role’s on-site/off-site may shift regularly based on collaboration, external events, advocacy, and other mission-critical work.

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 materials.
• Partner with the Leadership Team on donor and development communications.
• Ensure alignment across communications, programs, and organizational strategy.
• Shape a cohesive MRHT narrative and brand that reflects the foundation’s values, history, and evolving role and cuts across our programs and initiatives.
• 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 content.
• Lead Michael Reese’s annual signature event from concept to execution.
• Support the Program Team on external engagements, convenings, events, and public statements.

Internal Communications

• Draft and edit communications for internal, board, and external audiences.
• Compile and edit board books and committee materials. 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 departments.

Management & Collaboration

• Manage the Communications team.
• Oversee external consultants, designers, event planners, and other vendors.
• Foster a collaborative, curious, and high-performance communications culture.

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 skills.
• Experience advising senior leaders and boards; success in shaping narrative and organizational visibility.
• Existing relationships with funders in philanthropy or ability to create them.
• Strong project management abilities in a fast-moving environment.
• Sound judgment, collaborative style, and ability to anticipate risks and opportunities.
• Commitment to racial equity, community partnership, and advancing health equity in Chicago and beyond.

Work Environment

• The workplace is a smoke-free and drug-free environment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and to operate office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, and filing cabinets.
• The office is fully accessible. Some work at off-site locations may be required and some of them may not be fully accessible.
• Reasonable accommodation will enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.
• Michael Reese is committed to a diverse, fair, and equitable workplace where everyone is a valued member of the team. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Hiring, employment, and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service, and/or marital status, order of protection status, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.

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 relevant experience and how you learned of the position.
  2. Your resume.
• Please type your first and last name in the subject line. 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.