Director Corporate Communications

THIS IS A HYBRID POSITION REQUIRING IN-OFFICE PRESENCE ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY OF EACH WEEK. OFFICE IS LOCATED IN THE MAG MILE/STREETERVILLE AREA IF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO, IL.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Corporate Communications leads the development and execution of a modern, integrated corporate communications strategy that strengthens the American Osteopathic Association’s reputation, builds stakeholder trust, and elevates the visibility and influence of osteopathic medicine. This role oversees an internal and external corporate communications center of excellence including public relations, media relations, crisis and issues management, executive leadership communications, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management. Serving as a steward of the organization’s reputation, the director ensures consistent, strategic messaging across earned, owned, and digital channels while leveraging data, analytics, and media intelligence to inform communications strategy and measure impact.

Essential Functions

Corporate Communications and Reputation Strategy

• Develop and implement a modern, multi-channel corporate communications strategy that strengthens the organization’s reputation and advances awareness of osteopathic medicine.
• Serve as a steward of the organization’s reputation by shaping and managing the AOA’s institutional narrative across media, stakeholders, and key audiences.
• Ensure messaging alignment across corporate communications, marketing, brand strategy, and organizational initiatives.
• Use data, analytics, and media intelligence tools to monitor sentiment, measure communications performance, and inform strategic decision making.

Media Relations and Public Visibility

• Lead proactive and reactive media relations strategies to elevate the organization’s voice and visibility in national, healthcare, and policy conversations.
• Navigate and plan for crisis and issues responses.
• Nurture relationships with key media, healthcare reporters, and industry outlets.
• Identify opportunities to elevate osteopathic medicine and AOA leadership through strategic media and thought leadership engagement.

Executive and Leadership Communications

• Identify and support thought leadership opportunities that elevate the voice and expertise of AOA leadership.
• Ensure effective implementation of a newly created executive leadership roadmap.
• Support Board communications and messaging where appropriate.

Stakeholder and Employee Communications

• Develop and strengthen communications strategies that build trust and engagement with key stakeholders including physicians, members, affiliates, partners, and the broader healthcare community.
• Partner with organizational leaders to enhance employee communications that support transparency, alignment, and organizational culture.

Government Affairs Partnership

• Partner closely with the Government Affairs team to align communications strategies with policy priorities and advocacy efforts.
• Support communications that elevate awareness of osteopathic medicine and the AOA’s policy positions among policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Manage and mentor the corporate communications team while fostering a collaborative and high performing culture.
• Collaborate with peers responsible for integrated marketing and content and brand strategy to ensure alignment between corporate messaging, brand narrative, and marketing initiatives.
• Oversee relationships with external agencies, consultants, and communications partners
  Manage the corporate communications budget and allocate resources to support strategic priorities.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Experience

• 8+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations, or strategic communications.
• Experience advising senior leadership and managing high visibility communications initiatives in complex or mission driven organizations.

Special Skills

• Exceptional written, verbal, and strategic communication skills with the ability to translate complex topics into clear and compelling narratives.
• Strong background in public relations, media relations, and crisis or issues management
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute multi-channel communications strategies across earned, owned, and digital platforms.
• Proven ability to provide strategic counsel to executive leadership and senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of reputation management, stakeholder trust, and communications strategy in a dynamic media environment.
• Experience leading and mentoring communications or public relations teams.
• Experience managing agency relationships and external communications partners.
• Demonstrated experience using communications analytics, media monitoring, and measurement tools to inform strategy.
• Familiarity with digital communications platforms, CMS systems, and analytics tools.
• Working knowledge of emerging communications technologies including AI enabled communications tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint, or related collaboration platforms and project management platforms such as ASAN or other.

Education: ?

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field Master’s/MBA preferred.

Licensure or Certification:

• N/A

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Physical:

Work is generally sedentary in nature, but requires occasional standing, walking, lifting, and moving objects (up to 25 pounds). Requires manual dexterity to use computers, telephones and peripherals. Incumbents may occasionally work prolonged or irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.

Mental

Work is performed in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Candidate is expected to be able to quickly adapt to stressful situations, exercise good judgement, communicate effectively orally and in writing, and interact appropriately with internal and external stakeholders.

ENVIRONMENT:

• Standard office environment,
• This is a hybrid position requiring an in-office presence on Tuesday and Wednesday of each week.

Salary Range: $110,000.00 - $115,000.00 Annually

The AOA offers the following benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and AD&D
• Long and Short-term Disability
• FSA/HSA
• Commuter Benefits
• 401(k) with match

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

American Osteopathic Association is unable to sponsor work visas at this time.