Communications Manager

Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation•Oak Brook, IL

24d•$85,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications Manager manages Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation’s (ILCHF) communications strategies, developing and delivering effective, engaging messages across multimedia channels. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the role amplifies community and grantee partner voices, maintains brand and messaging alignment, leads internal and external communications, and oversees the organization’s website and social media presence. The Communications Manager works with the ILCHF team and builds relationships with grantees, funders, research partners, the Board of Directors, media contacts, and other stakeholders to increase the visibility of the Foundation’s work and advance its mission to support the health and well-being of children and families in Illinois. The role develops and evaluates communications plans and processes; creates and edits content for digital, print, and other channels; uses analytics and performance data to improve communications; and supports public relations and event communications. It includes supporting at least three Foundation convenings, coordinating communications tactics with event teams, and capturing video and photography. The position is hybrid, with two required office days per week (Tuesday and Thursday). Employees must reside in Illinois and perform all work, including remote work, within the state.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in communications, marketing, advertising, public relations, or a related field.
Demonstrated professional experience across communications, including content development, graphic design, public relations, social media strategy and management, website administration, and digital communications.
Experience using analytics and performance data to inform and strengthen communications strategies.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, CRM and email marketing platforms such as Constant Contact or Mailchimp, and website content management systems such as WordPress.
Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro), Canva, or comparable graphic-design and multimedia software.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
Strong organization, attention to detail, project management, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to maintain strong, positive relationships with stakeholders.
Commitment to the Foundation’s values, including trust, accountability, collaboration, community, belonging without othering, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Illinois residency; all work, including remote work, must be performed within Illinois.

Responsibilities

Implement and annually develop a communications plan that identifies strategic priorities, amplifies core messages, and shares compelling multimedia content and stories.
Enhance ILCHF’s brand by centering grantee partners’ voices and engaging diverse community audiences.
Maintain and evolve marketing procedures and guidelines to align internal and external brand and messaging.
Periodically assess communications and marketing strategies and monitor market trends to evaluate results and inform strategy.
Apply inclusive-language best practices consistently across communications.
Ensure the website reflects organizational priorities, brand, tone, and messaging, and update its content and materials as needed, including RFP information.
Design and manage the social media plan and presence to increase visibility of grantee partners’ work.
Create communications materials for email, web, print, presentations, and social media.
Gather website analytics, social media insights, and CRM data to inform communications optimization.
Cultivate and manage multimedia contacts, respond to media inquiries, and pursue earned-media opportunities.
Collaborate with a graphic designer on the Annual Report, summarizing key findings and strategic implications for internal and external audiences.
Copyedit internal and external documents, including white papers, articles, research reports, and other materials.
Design promotional and supporting materials for events, including brochures, flyers, agendas, presentations, email campaigns, website content, and social media campaigns.
Develop external communications such as one-pagers, bi-monthly newsletters, briefs, presentations, closed-grants reports, grant-initiative reports, press releases, and speeches.
Support at least three Foundation-hosted or attended convenings, including attending events to capture multimedia content.
Coordinate with event leads or teams to understand objectives, metrics, content, and timelines and ensure timely execution of communications tactics.
Capture the Foundation’s mission in action through video and still photography.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive salary starting at $85,000, commensurate with experience.
Health insurance through a Blue Cross Blue Shield Platinum plan; employer covers 75% of monthly premiums for employee and dependents.
Dental, vision, and life insurance premiums fully covered by the employer for employee and dependents.
$50,000 life insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance.
15 PTO days to start, federal and state holidays, and two floating holidays.
12 wellness days per year, accrued at four hours per pay period.
$3,000 annual professional development budget.
Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 per year with proof of enrollment.
401(k) plan with up to a 6% match on employee contributions and a 2% profit-sharing contribution, eligible after six months of employment.
Hybrid work setting with flexible work-from-home options.