Communications & Marketing Director $ 75-$85,000/Yr

Job Details
Level
Experienced
Job Location
Colonial Parkway - Inverness, IL
Position Type
Full Time
Education Level
BA liberal arts, comm. realted + 10+ yrs
Salary Range
$75,000.00 - $85,000.00 Hourly
Travel Percentage
Local
Job Shift
Business hours w/flexibility
Job Category
Marketing
Description
PURPOSE:
To promote, enhance and maintain Little City Foundation’s (LCF) strong brand reputation and relationships with donors, parents, corporate sponsors, employers, political leaders and other key constituent groups through engaging and effective multi-channel solutions. Relies on a mix of creative skills, strategic communications and commercial awareness. Applies understanding of perception and behavior of key stakeholders and develops strategies based on that understanding as well as best practice and current trends in the multi-channel marketing solutions. Provides effective direction in the production of internal and external marketing and communication materials, thus increasing LCF’s potential donor base and customer/stakeholder loyalty allowing LCF’s target audiences to become more informed and persuaded by LCF.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
The list of essential duties and responsibilities, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the task to be performed. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein is such duties are a logical assignment to the position.

• Helps to strengthen and maintain the relationships Little City has with its donors, supporters, PFG group, Board, etc., by overseeing a strategic Marketing and Communications team that produces and delivers regular news and uplifting stories to its constituents and surrounding communities.
• Maintains American Heart Association certification in First Aid and CPR.
• Oversees and provides artistic direction for graphics and layouts of product illustrations, company logos, printed and electronic donor communications and Internet websites.
• Develops strategic creative concepts and visual explorations for communications marketing materials and donor development events.
• Studies illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products or services.
• Produces comprehensive marketing strategies for various projects across the agency; ensuring desired goals are achieved.
• Effectively work with other department leads to ensure that the efforts and resources are utilized in a manner that provides the greatest return to the organization.
• Enhances the organization’s public image by visually communicating positive themes through powerful imagery and engaging messages.
• Provide supervision and direction to the communication and marketing staff. Directly supervises, completes performance evaluations and administers corrective action, as necessary for 3 – 5 staff, which may include communication and/or marketing interns.
• Assists the Chief Development Officer with presentations and strategies relevant to positioning Little City in a positive light, and for future growth.
• Assists in developing and directing implementation of formalized LCF’s communications, marketing and business directives and creatively produces cutting- edge visual solutions.
• Responsible for coordinating the design, production and distribution of internal and external communications for Little City events and community events to be publicized.
• Responsible for maintaining and enforcing the professional brand of the organization, both internally and externally, in each printed and digital piece.
• Oversees press relations and directs the development of press releases. Writes the more complex press releases. Reviews and edits press releases submitted by staff. Manages the organization’s responses to media queries, including generating appropriate messages to enhance the organization’s profile, selecting the appropriate spokesperson for media engagements and preventing unwanted media spotlight when necessary.
• Oversees all PR and media efforts with a keen understanding of how the organization and stakeholders want to position the children and adults of Little City.
• Uses innovation to define a design brief and meet the budget and timeline mandates of the project.
• Manages the annual budget for the Marketing and Communications department.
• Stays knowledgeable on relevant political policies that affect Little City and acts on communicating bills, policies etc. with the appropriate audience and constituents.
• Provides overall direction on positioning and messaging of all marketing and mass communications such as newsletters, annual reports, brochures, the web site, social media, emails, blogs, direct mail pieces, etc.
• Develop talking points and/or speeches for the Chief Executive Officer, members of the Board and external key partners for the purpose of engaging and educating the audience on Little City’s mission.
• Develop thoughtful and relevant communications on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors for the purpose of broadening Little City’s reach and cultivating relationships.
• Strong user interface usability and content organization skills (e.g. web, print, email, etc.).
• Manage and strategically disseminates crisis communications issues and related impacts to the organization’s brand and image.
• Keeps abreast of developments in design and communications concepts and technologies.
• Oversees communications with political leaders so that key government officials maintain an active and positive relationship with Little City.
• Manages relationships with press and members of the media ensuring that Little City generates positive news coverage and remains engaged in the community.
• Directs narrative and theme in video production the Marketing & Communications team develops.
• Supports advocacy efforts through the empowerment of Little City’s children and adults in all marketing and communications.
• Successfully completes Little City required training, re-training, and any additional training as required by Little City policies and practices, or as assigned by his or her immediate supervisor.
• Consistently promotes the mission of the organization at special events through thoughtful design and positioning of the organization.
• Create from concept to deployment advertising and promotional copy for various media applications.
• Research, write, edit and coordinate production of publications including internal newsletters, by-lined articles, corporate communications, press releases, pitch letters and other promotional material.
• Works alongside the Special Events team to ensure that the appropriate audience is included on event solicitations, resulting in positive and profitable event experience.
• Oversees designs, concepts, and layouts based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
• Provides effective leadership to the Marketing and Communications team in order to realize the full potential of the department. Ensures that each member of the team is inspired and engaged to contribute fully to Little City’s mission and goals.

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s Degree in arts, visual communications, marketing, communications or related degree, required. Must have a minimum of 10 years’ professional experience in media relations, public relations, and/or marketing activities. Possesses knowledge in perception, technology, art, business and interpersonal relations. Ability to skillfully originate powerful concepts, collaborate interdepartmentally and multi-task under tight deadlines. Experience in developing integrated campaigns targeting specific audiences. Works well under pressure, in a fast-paced, high-impact, non-profit team environment. Inspires team ambition for organizational success. Ensures high quality of all marketing and communications. Experience in media relations, public relations, and marketing activities including media barters, press conferences, media kits, and award programs. Experience with communications tactics such as newsletters, emails, membership bulletins, website communications, social media, and press releases. Demonstrates commitment to the public education and advocacy role the organization plays in articulating the rights, issues and perspectives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sensitive to the needs, problems, opportunities and potential of people with developmental challenges.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is subject to sitting for prolonged periods; frequently walks, stands, grasps, lifts, holds, or feels objects; occasionally stoops, kneels, crouches, or crawls. Extended use of computer and typing is required. The employee frequently is required to use manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination when working and handling office equipment. The employee is subject to assist and support up to 25 pounds with varying amounts of assistance on a reoccurring basis. The employee is required to have corrected vision and hearing within normal range and the ability to operate office equipment. No occupational exposure to blood, body fluids, communicable diseases or other potentially infectious substances (Category I). Typical office environment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer: The intent of this job description is to provide a representative level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.