Marketing and Communications Specialist

Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana•Proviso Township, IL

8d•$68,000 - $77,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Marketing and Communications Specialist supports the development and execution of marketing and communications initiatives that advance Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana’s mission, strengthen engagement, and support fundraising and organizational priorities. This collaborative, hands-on marketing generalist and content creator works with Marketing & Communications colleagues and teams across the organization to bring campaigns, events, partnerships, and stories to life. The role has a strong focus on Signature Event and Corporate Partner marketing support and also contributes to writing and storytelling, graphic design, social media, photography, video, and other content needs. The organization is an independent nonprofit serving families through six Ronald McDonald Houses, four Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program. Its work helps families stay close to hospitalized children and provides medical care to children in underserved areas. The position is based at the organization’s business office in Hines, Illinois, with travel throughout the Chicagoland area to program sites, events, and partner locations as needed. Occasional evening and weekend event availability is required. Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Requirements

Two to five years of marketing, communications, content, or related experience.
Experience coordinating multiple projects and deadlines.
Experience developing content for print and digital channels.
Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
Strong organizational and project coordination skills, with attention to detail.
Working knowledge of Canva and ability to create polished, on-brand materials.
Photography and video capture and editing skills for social media and digital channels.
Collaborative, service-oriented approach and ability to work effectively across teams.
Ability to manage changing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365.
Commitment to the organization’s mission, values, and approach to caring for families.
Ability to travel throughout the Chicagoland area to program sites, events, and partner locations as needed.
Availability for occasional evening and weekend events.
Regular and predictable attendance.
Ability to perform light sedentary office work and frequently sit; regularly stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, talk, and hear.
Ability to carry 35 pounds; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, English, or a related field preferred; equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience will be considered.
Experience with events, fundraising, corporate partnerships, or nonprofit marketing.
Familiarity with project management and collaboration platforms.
Familiarity with website CMS, email marketing, and social media platforms.

Responsibilities

Support marketing and communications for Signature Events and other fundraising initiatives in partnership with Development colleagues.
Coordinate the development and delivery of event materials, collateral, signage, presentations, digital assets, sponsor recognition, and promotional materials.
Maintain project timelines and track assigned event marketing deliverables, approvals, production, and delivery.
Work with internal colleagues and external vendors to execute event marketing needs.
Attend Signature Events and select third-party events to provide on-site marketing support and capture content.
Create and coordinate digital and print assets, signage, presentations, toolkits, and promotional materials for corporate partners.
Support cause-marketing, employee engagement, fundraising, and awareness initiatives.
Help identify and develop stories featuring families, volunteers, donors, partners, and programs.
Write and edit content for newsletters, the website, social media, presentations, fundraising and stewardship communications, events, and partner needs.
Work with colleagues to ensure stories and content are accurate, respectful, and aligned with the organization’s brand and messaging.
Support maintenance of the organization’s story and content library.
Create on-brand marketing materials and digital content using Canva and other design tools.
Develop graphics and visual assets for social media, presentations, events, email, the website, and partner initiatives.
Capture photography and video at program locations, events, and other settings; edit photos and short-form video for social media and digital communications.
Support social media content development and publishing as assigned.
Coordinate assigned marketing projects and deliverables, helping ensure work is accurate and completed on time.
Collaborate with Marketing & Communications, Development, Community Engagement, Programs, and other teams on campaigns and initiatives.
Maintain clear communication regarding project needs, timelines, approvals, and deliverables; balance planned priorities with emerging and time-sensitive needs.
Ensure work follows Ronald McDonald House Global and local brand, messaging, and visual identity standards.
Represent Marketing & Communications at selected organizational, partner, and community events.
Support public relations, media relations, and organizational communications initiatives as needed.
Stay current on relevant marketing, content, and social media trends.
Support other Marketing & Communications priorities as assigned.