Research Communications Specialist

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

General Summary:

The Research Communications Specialist will support strategic communication efforts to advance the mission and priorities of Lurie Children’s and Manne Research Institute. This role is responsible for creating, editing, and delivering clear, compelling content across multiple platforms. The specialist will collaborate with internal teams to develop content that engages a wide range of audiences, promotes programs and initiatives, and strengthens the organization’s brand. The ideal candidate will possess strong writing, editing, and project management abilities, capable of translating complex information into accessible and impactful messages.

Essential Job Functions:

• Collaborate with research and administrative teams to translate complex medical and scientific information into clear, engaging, and compliant digital content, reflecting the organization’s mission, values, and commitment to improving child health.
• Produce and distribute digital content using E-CRM platforms such as Constant Contact or similar tools, including intranets, team sites, and social media, partnering with administrative teams to support Lurie Children’s engagement and outreach goals.
• Maintain an audit cadence to review and refresh research-related assets, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and alignment with organizational standards.
• Support research teams with digital assets for study activities, ensuring required information is complete, current, and compliant with regulatory and institutional guidelines.
• Design and maintain research web pages within the organization’s content management system (CMS), applying search engine optimization (SEO) best practices, and ensuring accessibility, accuracy, and alignment with institutional branding and usability standards.
• Track and review communications specific analytics to help evaluate performance, track engagement, and inform content strategy improvements.
• Support maintenance of audiences for research institute communications, ensuring segmented contact lists are accurate
• Other job functions as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism or English, preferred.
• A minimum of 3-5 years writing and communications experience required, preferably in healthcare or the non-profit sector.
• Demonstrated ability to understand, narrate, and contextualize complex information in a compelling and accurate manner.
• Strong understanding of healthcare, medicine and biomedical science is preferred.
• Attention to detail and ability to prioritize and execute multiple projects under demanding deadlines. 
• Experience using presentation and design software (Adobe tools) to create engaging communications materials and other cloud-based software (Airtable, REDCap), preferred.
• Excellent customer service skills and proven ability to work with staff at all levels, including senior level management and physician/research leadership.

Education

Pay Range

At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions.In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability

• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage

• Tuition assistance

• Student loan servicing and support

• Adoption benefits

• Backup Childcare and Eldercare

• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members

• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities

• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Lurie Children’s, we embrace and celebrate building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that different life experiences strengthen our workplace and the care we provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Support email: peoplequestions@luriechildrens.org