Vice President of Communications and Development

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

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

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. 

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.

Requirements:

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.