📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Strategic Communications Manager
🔹 Company: Adtalem Global Education
🔹 Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (4-day in-office schedule)
🔹 Category: Corporate Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing communication strategies for enterprise transformation initiatives
- Managing communications efforts to ensure employees are informed and engaged
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and senior leaders
- Guiding large, complex organizations through change
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of corporate communications and change management, with a focus on driving employee engagement and awareness during organizational transformations.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute a communication strategy in support of our enterprise transformation journey
✅ Support transformation narrative and key messages, ensuring consistency
✅ Utilize existing communication channels to tell the transformation story and ensure initiatives are regularly communicated across key internal stakeholder groups
✅ Work with project team and segment leaders to maintain awareness of high-impact initiatives, critical needs, and priority areas, and develop communications strategies to address them
✅ Manage and develop team members to support transformation communications efforts
✅ Provide strategic communications support for priority transformation initiatives, working with the segment or project owner to execute change management plans and recommend areas of focus
✅ Develop ways to gather employee feedback to measure if transformation efforts are taking hold and make recommendations, as needed, to change mindset
✅ Manage ongoing reporting and analysis of measurable deliverables
✅ Complete other duties as assigned
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of autonomy, strong project management skills, and the ability to manage multiple, high-urgency projects simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, PR, journalism, or a related field
Experience: 5-7 years of related experience, with a preference for experience in organizational transformation, corporate communications, or internal communications
Required Skills:
- Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to distill messages into compelling, actionable content
- Strong knowledge of corporate brand development and messaging
- Passion for guiding large, complex organizations through change
- Excellent verbal and interpersonal communications skills
- Demonstrated executive presence and ease working with senior leaders
- Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and agencies
- High levels of integrity, autonomy, and self-motivation
- Strong project management and organizational capabilities
Preferred Skills:
- Prior people management experience
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in organizational transformation or change management will be highly valued for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $70,696 - $124,230 (Based on experience and market rates for the Chicago area)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
- 401k Retirement Program with 6% employer match
- Participation in Adtalem’s Flexible Time Off (FTO) Policy
- 12 Paid Holidays
Working Hours: Full-time, with a 4-day in-office schedule (Monday-Thursday)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market rates for similar roles in the Chicago area. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors such as experience and training; geographic location; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Education Administration Programs
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Public Company)
Founded: Not specified (Adtalem Global Education was formed in 2013 through the merger of DeVry Education Group and Adtalem Educational Services)
Company Description:
- Adtalem Global Education provides global access to knowledge that transforms lives and enables careers
- Offers a range of educational programs, including medical, healthcare, and veterinary medicine, as well as online degree programs through its universities
- Partners with organizations in the healthcare industry to solve critical workforce talent needs by expanding access to education, certifications, and upskilling programs at scale
Company Specialties:
- Medical and healthcare education
- Online degree programs
- Workforce talent solutions
Company Website: http://www.adtalem.com
ASSUMPTION: Adtalem Global Education is a large, publicly-traded company with a diverse range of educational programs and partnerships. This role will involve working closely with senior leaders and cross-functional teams across the organization.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior-level communications professional
Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Senior Manager, Strategy and Reputation
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (4-day in-office schedule, Monday-Thursday)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a leadership role within the communications team
- Opportunities to work on high-impact, strategic initiatives
- Possibility to expand skills and knowledge in organizational transformation and change management
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development, particularly in the areas of organizational transformation and change management.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate headquarters with a hybrid work arrangement
Office Location(s): 500 W Monroe St, Chicago, Illinois 60661, US
Geographic Context:
- Chicago is a large, diverse city with a vibrant cultural scene and numerous amenities
- The office is located in the West Loop neighborhood, close to public transportation and various dining and entertainment options
- Adtalem offers a 4-day in-office schedule, fostering creativity, innovation, communication, and stronger team relationships
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a 4-day in-office schedule (Monday-Thursday)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work, promoting flexibility and work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the Talent Acquisition Team
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and other team members
- Final interview with the Senior Manager, Strategy and Reputation
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and storytelling abilities
- Experience with organizational transformation or change management
- Project management and organizational skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Adtalem’s values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of organizational transformation and change management in your application materials
- Prepare examples of your writing and editing skills, as well as any relevant projects or initiatives you’ve led
ATS Keywords: Strategic Communications, Enterprise Transformation, Change Management, Corporate Communications, Internal Communications, Storytelling, Writing, Editing, Project Management
ASSUMPTION: Adtalem uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen resumes, so it’s essential to include relevant keywords from the job description to increase your chances of being selected for an interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is preferred, but not required. The ideal candidate will be comfortable learning and adapting to new tools as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Excellence
- Inclusion
- Accountability
- Stewardship
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Results-driven and proactive
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Adtalem’s core values, particularly in the context of driving organizational transformation?
- How comfortable are you working in a hybrid environment, balancing in-office collaboration and remote work?
- How do you approach gathering and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders to inform your communication strategies?
ASSUMPTION: Adtalem places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and alignment with its core values. Candidates who can demonstrate a strong fit with the company culture will be highly valued.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple, high-urgency projects simultaneously, often with tight deadlines
- Working with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to align on communication strategies and ensure consistent messaging
- Gathering and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders to inform communication strategies
- Navigating a large, complex organization and understanding the intricacies of its various transformation initiatives
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong project management skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role focuses more on internal communications and change management than external communications or media relations
- Compared to similar roles in other industries, this position requires a strong understanding of the education sector and its unique challenges and opportunities
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a leadership position within the communications team or transitioning into a strategic communications role within another department
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in corporate communications, internal communications, or organizational transformation will find this role to be a strong fit for their skills and career goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive communication strategy for a major organizational restructuring
- Managing a team to create and distribute regular updates on transformation initiatives, ensuring consistent messaging and engagement across various stakeholder groups
- Collaborating with senior leaders to refine and communicate key messages and talking points for high-impact transformation announcements
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for this role, from strategic planning and execution to team management and collaboration with senior leaders.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of the enterprise transformation initiative and the key priorities for the next 12-24 months?
- How does this role fit into the broader communications team and the organization’s overall transformation strategy?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the organization in the next 1-2 years, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Adtalem support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in relation to this role?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will success be measured?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and the organization, and provides valuable information to help you make an informed decision about your application.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a particular focus on organizational transformation, change management, and communication strategies
- Prepare examples of your writing and editing skills, as well as any relevant projects or initiatives you’ve led
- Follow up with the Talent Acquisition Team one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
