communications manager

Location: Chicago, IL

Impact for Equity, a highly regarded and impactful public interest law and policy center, seeks a dynamic and experienced communications professional, passionate about racial, economic, and social justice, to communicate Impact for Equity’s mission, vision, and accomplishments to diverse audiences.

Description

Impact for Equity is a public interest law and policy center that has been at the front lines of the fight for social justice in the Chicago region for over 50 years. Known for its innovative and effective advocacy for racial and economic equity, today Impact for Equity is deeply engaged in advancing systemic change in policing, the criminal legal system, housing, and early learning.

With collaboration as a core value, Impact for Equity partners with people directly impacted by racial and economic injustice and the community-based organizations that serve them. The organization’s tenacious lawyers and policy staff employ a combination of legal tools, policy research, organizing, advocacy, and convening to achieve transformational change. Impact for Equity works to develop nuanced policies and programs, advance effective strategies, catalyze strong coalitions, and advance progress toward its overarching vision of a state where every person has the right and opportunity to live their fullest life in a thriving community and free of systemic barriers. A collaborative and stimulating workplace, Impact for Equity is committed to offering opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to work that advances racial, economic, and social justice.

The Position

Impact for Equity seeks a dynamic and experienced professional with a demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice to join our team as Communications Manager. The Communications Manager manages and executes communications and marketing activities at Impact for Equity and will play an intrinsic role in the external relations work of the organization. They manage and implement organizational efforts to communicate Impact for Equity’s vision, values, and accomplishments to its diverse constituents, including support of Impact for Equity’s advocacy agenda and support of fundraising campaigns and events.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of Communications Manager include:

Implement communications strategy as developed in collaboration with the Managing Director of Development and External Relations, managing and executing all marketing and communications efforts organization-wide in furtherance of Impact for Equity’s mission, vision, and values
Partner with Impact for Equity program staff to advise them on how to leverage the power of communications to advance Impact for Equity’s work and identify opportunities to do so
Ensure that Impact for Equity has the communications strategies, content, workflows, and systems in place to effectively advance the organization’s fundraising goals and programmatic work
Manage, maintain, and create content for Impact for Equity’s website, e-newsletters, and social media channels
Serve as Impact for Equity’s photographer, videographer, and “designer in chief” for basic web graphics and print collateral
Play a key role in execution of special events and activities related to fundraising
Plan, research, write, and manage the production of Impact for Equity’s Annual Report and other print and digital publications as assigned
Implement a robust media outreach strategy including producing press releases, media advisories, and other relevant communications in consultation with Impact for Equity leadership and staff
In conjunction with the Managing Director of Development and External Relations, sustain media relations; reach out to key members of the media and other influencers to generate coverage, pitch op-eds, letters to the editor and bylined articles, and create interview opportunities
Establish, track, and report on key metrics to effectively measure the progress and performance of all communications and public relations initiatives and efforts
Consistently integrate equity concepts into projects and interactions by addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions based on race, socioeconomic status, and other historically marginalized group identities
Exemplify Impact for Equity’s core values and advance Impact for Equity’s mission and vision in all aspects of the work; and
Travel in Chicagoland, Illinois, and to national conferences and meetings as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

We seek an individual who is an energetic professional and adept at multi-tasking with the following:

Five or more years’ relevant experience, preferably in a non-profit organization;
Strong computer skills and expertise with Microsoft suite of software, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint;
Track record of building strong employee engagement and culture, coupled with a team growth mentality;
Demonstrated ability to manage a workload of diverse tasks and organize and prioritize workflow; highly organized, skilled in working under tight timelines, and following through on issues in a timely manner;
Excellent writing, grammatical, and proofreading skills;
Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills; collegial, collaborative, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, consultants, vendors, and others who contribute to the effective and efficient functioning of operations and administration;
Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast paced, high volume environment;
Experience engaging in creative problem solving and taking initiative, while utilizing a solutions-oriented approach and exhibiting flexibility and good judgement;
Demonstrated commitment to the Impact for Equity values of equity, inclusion, and shared power;
Bilingual language fluency a plus; and
Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.

The salary for this position is commensurate with experience with a likely range between: $50,000-$65,000.

Benefits include: PTO and paid leave; health, dental, and vision plans; retirement savings plan; and cell phone benefit.

To Apply

Please apply using the application portal at impactforequity.org, including a resume and a cover letter explaining your interest and qualification for this position. If your candidacy advances, you will be asked to provide samples of your previous communications-related work and a list of three professional references. Impact for Equity will accept applications until the position is filled.

Impact for Equity is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, people with lived experience of poverty, and people from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.