Illinois Marketing & Communications Manager

THE ROLE

Your role stands at the intersection of communications and the fight to change the odds for historically underserved children and families. As a key member of Stand’s Illinois team at a moment of tremendous need and opportunity, you will deepen our impact by working closely with the Illinois Executive Director and the National Senior Director of Marketing and Communications to execute marketing & communications strategies and create high-quality content to reach our target audiences.

Through your dedication and passionate approach to the role, you get the opportunity to work with colleagues who not only care deeply about justice and equity but who are bold and strategic and take responsibility for achieving substantial progress toward our mission every year.

Remote position, must live in Illinois and have the ability to travel to events or meetings in the state on occasion.

THE ORGANIZATION

Stand for Children is a unique catalyst for education equity and racial justice, to create a brighter future for us all.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Content Creator / Storyteller - Help identify and create compelling, persuasive, relevant, and accurate communications content through people-oriented, compelling storytelling that will increase stakeholder and target audience engagement.

• Produce high-quality, compelling content for digital and traditional communications that will support public policy, electoral, fundraising, and family engagement goals.
• Build the digital profile of Stand for Children Illinois as a leading voice in education advocacy and motivate parents, educators, and concerned community leaders to get involved through extensive online engagement with community partners and organizations.
• Develop content and execute effective voter outreach and action campaigns (both legislative and electoral) via our email list and social media. This includes monitoring and reporting on the success of each tactic and recommending adjustments to content and/or audience in conjunction with the Executive Director and National Senior Director of Marketing & Communications.
• Work closely with the National Senior Director of Marketing and Communications to develop content and execute effective digital advertising campaigns. This includes monitoring ad performance and recommending adjustments to content and/or audience.
• On a daily basis, create compelling, persuasive, relevant, and accurate communications and digital content that will increase visitors’ engagement with the organization and build community support for improving schools.

• Utilize innovative digital tools as well as traditional communication channels to engage members of the community most effectively.
• Build Stand’s social media presence through high quality, timely, creative posts, and engagement with online communities, using both Stand’s social media properties and by engaging with others, and by proactively initiating and participating in social media conversations in spaces like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
• Act as liaison between the Organizing team, participating families, and the media, including opportunities to share their stories in support of our policy goals.
• Create compelling content for digital donor communications – emailed newsletters, PowerPoint presentations, and “one-pagers” that clearly explain our work in creative, engaging ways in conjunction with the Executive Director and the National Development Director.

Public Relations Manager - Build and leverage public relations and earned media opportunities.

• Create and edit a range of organizational materials to ensure clarity and effectiveness.
• Cultivate and maintain media contacts for disseminating press releases, gaining earned media, and leveraging public relations opportunities, including a database of media contacts for disseminating press releases in addition to elected officials, community/regional/statewide leaders, and subject matter experts who comprise Stand’s target audiences and/or who may be allies of Stand on specific policy endeavors.
• Write compelling, accurate, and timely press releases.
• Assist Executive Director in maintaining media relationships and generating media placement opportunities, including supporting logistics of earned media scheduling and execution.
• Track Stand’s local and state media coverage as well as news about policy initiatives that are important and influential to Stand positions.

Internal Brand Manager

• Manage organizational written materials to ensure message discipline, clarity, conciseness, and effectiveness.
• Be the point person for the extensive communications, digital tools, and resources available through Stand for Children.
• Ensure Stand content is in alignment with Stand for Children’s brand and adheres to network-wide messaging guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to be stationary for extended periods of time and ability to travel to meetings; May require the ability to climb stairs.
• Experience using paid advertising (traditional and digital) as part of a strategic communications plan or campaign is a plus.
• Hands-on understanding and ability to manage and make recommendations on Stand’s digital channels.
• Passionate commitment to Stand for Children’s mission.
• Knowledge of public education issues and/or experience creating political advocacy campaigns is a plus.
• Ability to rapidly learn about public education issues and other related political advocacy issues, when necessary.
• Existing relationships with local press and media are a plus.
• Familiarity with state political and legislative environment and context is a plus.
• Two to five years experience in communications and/or marketing such as digital strategies, cause marketing, or journalism. Experience in political campaigns or issue advocacy is a plus.
• Highly creative, especially regarding digital community building and communication.
• Ability to manage time well by working from home and using digital meeting tools effectively.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
• Spanish fluency and experience with Spanish-language translation is a plus.
• Ability to identify and coordinate with Stand leadership in the event of a crisis communications situation.
• Excellent planning and organizational ability, exceptional attention to detail, high sense of urgency, and flexibility with shifting priorities.
• Basic understanding of how state government works.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret performance analytics for all communication channels.
• Outstanding and fast writing and editing skills - skilled at developing straightforward, clear, and persuasive content.
• Collaborative, learning-oriented team player.

STARTING SALARY RANGE: $57,595 - $71,990 commensurate with experience. Generous benefits.

Stand for Children consists of two separate entities. Stand for Children, Inc., a grassroots membership organization is exempt under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, and Stand for Children Leadership Center, a leadership development organization is exempt under section 501(c)(3)

Stand for Children and Stand for Children Leadership Center provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression or marital status. We are committed to a diverse and culturally inclusive workplace in which our differences broaden our awareness, enrich our daily experiences and contribute to our collective strength. We predominantly partner with low-income communities of color. Therefore, though race and other legally protected characteristics are never used to make final hiring decisions, we place a particular focus on recruiting staff members who share the backgrounds of the communities we serve.

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