Strategy Associate Jobs in Illinois
Strategy Associate jobs in Illinois are active across management consulting, corporate strategy, private equity, and financial services, with openings at every level from entry-level analyst support to senior associate positions driving high-stakes decisions. Chicago anchors the market, with Evanston and Oak Brook adding meaningful volume thanks to large corporate campuses and consulting offices concentrated there. Firms with deep, lasting footprints hiring strategy associates include McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, and Kraft Heinz, along with major financial institutions headquartered in the Loop. The most in-demand specialties are go-to-market strategy, M&A integration, and operational efficiency. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 55+ Strategy Associate jobs
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Business Unit: Rush Medical Center
Department: Philanthropy
Work Type: Full Time
Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM)
Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).
Pay Range: $32.00 - $46.44 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case. This role has a corresponding incentive plan based on multiple factors. incentive compensation and additional benefits can be found on our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits)
Summary:
The Associate Director, Strategic Development Communications is responsible for planning, writing and executing original proposals at the $100,000-$1 million level and other deliverables that contribute to high-priority donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. While this role does not maintain a donor portfolio, the Associate Director works closely with frontline fundraisers, leveraging writing and organizational skills to help build relationships and secure gifts. The Associate Director also will work directly with clinical and academic faculty and staff throughout Rush University Medical Center and Rush University to define and articulate philanthropic opportunities and report on the impact of donors’ support. Reporting to the Director, Strategic Development Communications, the Associate Director is an integral role on the Office of Philanthropy’s Strategic Development Communications team, which develops and articulates messaging for Rush’s current philanthropic campaign; defines and cultivates the campaign’s menu of philanthropic opportunities; drafts proposals, impact reports and cultivation materials for donors; and provides writing and editorial support as needed. The individual who holds this position exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in journalism, communications, marketing, English or a related field, or with communications experience in a related subject such as public health or medicine.
- A minimum of five years’ experience writing in healthcare, science and/or higher education, with philanthropy experience preferred.
- Exceptional writing and storytelling skills required, including the ability to articulate Rush’s mission and the campaign vision to a variety of constituencies with poise and diplomacy.
- Experience or familiarity with developing human-centered messages that emphasize real-world impact and meaning.
- Professional demeanor.
- Strong analytical and interviewing skills. Curiosity about healthcare and the biomedical sciences. Proven ability to master and then convey complex concepts, synthesizing information from multiple sources to produce original persuasive prose for general audiences.
- Broad experience working collaboratively on communication-related deliverables; welcomes constructive feedback and strives for continuous improvement.
- A track record of shepherding multiple projects with overlapping deadlines from inception to delivery.
- Poise in interacting with and eliciting information from clinicians, researchers, administrators and senior leaders.
- Familiarity with Associated Press style.
- Demonstrates a global perspective, crafting communications that resonate across cultures and contexts.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint required; willingness to learn new technology preferred.
Disclaimer: The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.
Responsibilities:
1. Serve as primary author and project manager for assigned donor proposals, working in collaboration with frontline fundraisers who manage prospect relationships.
2. Craft original prose that inspires, builds trust and imparts a sense of urgency, answering the questions “why Rush?” and “why now?”
3. Assimilate information in a variety of forms to articulate the case for support and communicate complex concepts in easy-to-grasp messaging.
4. Strategically and creatively utilize the Philanthropy Communications library of content to repurpose and build upon existing materials as appropriate.
5. Set and monitor timelines for project deliverables and stakeholder review/approval; mobilize colleagues from across the institution to meet established deadlines.
6. Assure that all elements of each proposal — narrative, budget, supporting information — are complete, accurate, tailored to the prospective donor’s philanthropic interests and goals, and reinforce consistent messages.
7. In close partnership with the Director, Strategic Communications, serve as a subject matter expert for select clinical and/or academic programs.
8. Keep abreast of institutional facts, figures and news, and of relevant themes and trends in health care.
9. As assigned, create and update stewardship reports, campaign materials, presentations, toolkits and one-pagers, and other philanthropy content.
10. Partner with Philanthropy Communications colleagues to produce content about high-impact funding priorities and the impact of philanthropy that can be shared online, via social media and multimedia platforms, etc.
11. Act as a liaison to fundraising teams and to Rush’s central Office of Marketing and Communications, drawing from and contributing to the department’s shared library of content. Develop, pilot and implement tools to improve all processes listed within this job description.
Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Business Unit: Rush Medical Center
Department: Philanthropy
Work Type: Full Time
Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM)
Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).
Pay Range: $32.00 - $46.44 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case. This role has a corresponding incentive plan based on multiple factors. incentive compensation and additional benefits can be found on our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits)
Summary:
The Associate Director, Strategic Development Communications is responsible for planning, writing and executing original proposals at the $100,000-$1 million level and other deliverables that contribute to high-priority donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. While this role does not maintain a donor portfolio, the Associate Director works closely with frontline fundraisers, leveraging writing and organizational skills to help build relationships and secure gifts. The Associate Director also will work directly with clinical and academic faculty and staff throughout Rush University Medical Center and Rush University to define and articulate philanthropic opportunities and report on the impact of donors’ support. Reporting to the Director, Strategic Development Communications, the Associate Director is an integral role on the Office of Philanthropy’s Strategic Development Communications team, which develops and articulates messaging for Rush’s current philanthropic campaign; defines and cultivates the campaign’s menu of philanthropic opportunities; drafts proposals, impact reports and cultivation materials for donors; and provides writing and editorial support as needed. The individual who holds this position exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in journalism, communications, marketing, English or a related field, or with communications experience in a related subject such as public health or medicine.
- A minimum of five years’ experience writing in healthcare, science and/or higher education, with philanthropy experience preferred.
- Exceptional writing and storytelling skills required, including the ability to articulate Rush’s mission and the campaign vision to a variety of constituencies with poise and diplomacy.
- Experience or familiarity with developing human-centered messages that emphasize real-world impact and meaning.
- Professional demeanor.
- Strong analytical and interviewing skills. Curiosity about healthcare and the biomedical sciences. Proven ability to master and then convey complex concepts, synthesizing information from multiple sources to produce original persuasive prose for general audiences.
- Broad experience working collaboratively on communication-related deliverables; welcomes constructive feedback and strives for continuous improvement.
- A track record of shepherding multiple projects with overlapping deadlines from inception to delivery.
- Poise in interacting with and eliciting information from clinicians, researchers, administrators and senior leaders.
- Familiarity with Associated Press style.
- Demonstrates a global perspective, crafting communications that resonate across cultures and contexts.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint required; willingness to learn new technology preferred.
Disclaimer: The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.
Responsibilities:
1. Serve as primary author and project manager for assigned donor proposals, working in collaboration with frontline fundraisers who manage prospect relationships.
2. Craft original prose that inspires, builds trust and imparts a sense of urgency, answering the questions “why Rush?” and “why now?”
3. Assimilate information in a variety of forms to articulate the case for support and communicate complex concepts in easy-to-grasp messaging.
4. Strategically and creatively utilize the Philanthropy Communications library of content to repurpose and build upon existing materials as appropriate.
5. Set and monitor timelines for project deliverables and stakeholder review/approval; mobilize colleagues from across the institution to meet established deadlines.
6. Assure that all elements of each proposal — narrative, budget, supporting information — are complete, accurate, tailored to the prospective donor’s philanthropic interests and goals, and reinforce consistent messages.
7. In close partnership with the Director, Strategic Communications, serve as a subject matter expert for select clinical and/or academic programs.
8. Keep abreast of institutional facts, figures and news, and of relevant themes and trends in health care.
9. As assigned, create and update stewardship reports, campaign materials, presentations, toolkits and one-pagers, and other philanthropy content.
10. Partner with Philanthropy Communications colleagues to produce content about high-impact funding priorities and the impact of philanthropy that can be shared online, via social media and multimedia platforms, etc.
11. Act as a liaison to fundraising teams and to Rush’s central Office of Marketing and Communications, drawing from and contributing to the department’s shared library of content. Develop, pilot and implement tools to improve all processes listed within this job description.
Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
See All 55 Strategy Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Strategy Associate JobsStrategy Associate Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Strategy Associate Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Fintech
- Banking & Financial Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in strategy associate jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in business, economics, or a related analytical field required
- One to three years of experience in consulting, corporate strategy, or investment banking preferred
- Strong proficiency in financial modeling, data analysis, and presentation tools like Excel and PowerPoint
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex data into clear strategic recommendations for senior stakeholders
- Experience collaborating across cross-functional teams in a fast-paced corporate or consulting environment
- MBA or graduate degree in a quantitative field valued for senior associate and accelerated-track roles
Strategy Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a strategy associate in Illinois?
Most strategy associate roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance, or a closely related field, and Illinois does not require a state-issued license for this role. Employers in Chicago's consulting corridor and corporate headquarters typically look for candidates with prior internship or analyst experience, strong quantitative skills, and exposure to structured problem-solving frameworks. An MBA from a program with strong Chicago-area recruiting ties, such as those at the University of Chicago Booth or Northwestern Kellogg, significantly accelerates placement.
Which companies hire strategy associates in Illinois?
Employers hiring strategy associates in Illinois right now include AbbVie, DoorDash, and Kraft Heinz, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters and major consulting offices in Chicago means large corporations and advisory firms both post consistently throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most strategy associate jobs?
Chicago, Mettawa, and Illinois account for the largest share of strategy associate openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because of its concentration of consulting firms, financial institutions, and Fortune 500 corporate headquarters in the Loop and River North, while Evanston and Oak Brook generate volume through major company campuses and regional advisory offices that draw talent beyond the city core.
Are there remote strategy associate jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 70% of strategy associate openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how heavily the role centers on analysis, deck-building, and stakeholder communication that travels well outside an office. Research-intensive phases and independent modeling work are the most remote-friendly parts of the role, while client-facing presentations and team workshops still tend to require in-person attendance.
How can I get hired as a strategy associate in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a structured rotational or analyst program at a large Illinois employer. Companies like Hyatt, Abbott, and United Airlines run associate or high-potential rotational programs that place recent graduates into strategy-adjacent roles before moving them into dedicated strategy teams. Candidates coming from adjacent roles such as financial analyst, market research analyst, or business operations coordinator can also make a lateral move when they couple it with a demonstrated portfolio of structured problem-solving work or a relevant graduate certificate.
Where can I find and apply to strategy associate jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to strategy associate jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers across Chicago and the broader state. Search the listings, find roles that fit your background and target industry, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 55 Strategy Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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