DEPUTY DIRECTOR, INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS (BUREAU OF HUMAN RESOURCES) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Overview

The Cook County Bureau of Human Resources is seeking a Deputy Director, Internal Communications to lead internal communication initiatives that support County-wide employee engagement and transparency. This role develops and implements communication policies, creates content aligned with marketing and branding strategies, and manages internal messaging across digital platforms. The Deputy Director also represents senior leadership in key communications and events, promoting strategic programs and fostering a consistent internal narrative across the organization.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?



Benefits

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 7 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 10 vacation days annually; Up to 4 personal days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.
  
  

Please review carefully the Employee Benefits page. For benefits questions contact Risk Management at 312-603-6385 or email risk.mgmt@cookcountyil.gov.

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
• 2nd largest county in America
• Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
• Nearly 80% unionized workforce
• 15 unions represented
• 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.
  
  

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

Role Summary

Responsible for a variety of communication activities that support the County's employee communication strategies. Develops and implements internal communication policies and procedures to promote key programs and ensure transparency of organizational and employee communication. Creates and updates bureau /department content for the website, ensuring marketing and branding strategy alignment. Represents senior leadership in communications and events, as needed.

Typical Job Duties

• Focuses on communication strategies and methods to broaden the impact of services and programs through well-organized messaging.
• Implements and monitors recruitment marketing strategies to ensure effective and consistent messaging.
• Collaborates with senior leadership to develop and implement internal communication strategies during times of organizational change or crisis and prepare responses for internal and external inquiries, as needed.
• Composes or compiles information to update senior leadership regarding department/bureau programs, policies, and/or procedures.
• Prepares press briefs, anticipates questions, and assists in drafting appropriate responses for internal and external inquiries.
• Creates communication materials for online content and social media. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure website content adheres to brand and style guidelines.
• Oversees marketing of and logistics for outside events targeting both internal and external stakeholders.
• Develops metrics and analyzes data to improve internal communication strategies.
• Ensure training programs support the overall strategic messaging by collaborating with internal teams.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of communications, public relations, social media communications and marketing best practices and functions, policies and procedures, principles, and techniques.
• Knowledge of methods for organizational and employee communication and the ability to implement of related strategies.
• Ability to coordinate and organize internal events and communication campaigns.
• Skilled in oral and written communications with the ability to formulate clear and concise language and compose material for internal release or presentation.
• Ability to develop strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Ability to manage confidential, time-sensitive matters effectively and prioritize competing demands.
• Ability to understand the dynamic change in communication, make recommendations that generate results, and work collaboratively to align execution of department engagement goals.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree or higher and
• Four (4) years of internal communications, public relations, journalism, or directly related experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations or Journalism.
• Six (6) years of internal communications, public relations, or journalism experience.
• Four (4) years of previous management or supervisory experience.
• Communication management experience working for a government agency.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Sedentary Work

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

If you have any questions, please contact our team at shakmanexempthiring@cookcountyil.gov. or 312-603-3300.

Job Posting

Jul 24, 2025, 4:07:08 PM

Organization

Offices Under the President