Communications Associate

Position Title: Communications Associate

Supervised By: Development Manager

• Status: Non

Exempt, Full-time

Wage: $25.60 - $30 per hour (approx. $50,000 - $58,500/year) based on experience.

• To apply: Resume & Cover Letter required

About us: Sarah's Circle is a non-profit organization located in Uptown working to end homelessness for women in Chicago since 1979. We provide women a full continuum of services, including housing, life necessities, and supportive services, to help them permanently end their homelessness.

Summary

The Communications Associate is primarily responsible for supporting the Development team’s efforts to increase support and awareness of Sarah’s Circle. This person will manage communications (social media, website updates, monthly newsletter, annual report, brochures, and draft thank you and solicitation letters/emails as needed). This person will create, maintain, and update all marketing materials. This person will have excellent writing skills, an eye for design, and will be interested in building public relations skills.

Responsibilities

Marketing, Communications and Public Relations

• Manage agency social media accounts and online communications.
• Maintain agency website including routine updates.
• Coordinate planning, writing, and development of the Annual Report.
• With development team, plan annual agency communications calendar.
• Coordinate the development and distribution of the monthly agency newsletter.
• Write fundraising appeals (email and print).
• Regularly update stories about clients and supporters.
• Create and maintain organization literature, brochures, and other forms of communication (both print and electronic) with consistent branding and messaging.
• Regularly update agency presentation for external speaking engagements.
• Coordinate video and photography projects and maintain the photo library.
• Track media coverage.
• Develop and manage media relationships and coordinate press inquiries.
• Write press releases and submit articles on behalf of the organization.
• Manage agency profiles and activity on external, third-party sites and apps.
• Attend volunteer and client activities to take photos for promotional materials.
• Oversee Google Ads Grant account.

Development Operations

• Serve as back-up for donation processing and acknowledgement letter distribution via the agency CRM .
• Answer administrative phone calls.
• Represent Sarah’s Circle at community speaking engagements and events as needed.
• Be proficient in all standard department operating procedures and assist others as needed.

Events

• Assist Development team with all agency-led events.
• This position occasionally requires work and attendance of events during evenings and weekends.

Other

• Represent Sarah’s Circle in a professional manner.
• Protect organization’s value by keeping information confidential.
• Attend staff meetings, training, supervisory meetings, and Sarah’s Circle events as instructed by supervisor
• Perform general tasks and other duties assigned by supervisor.
• Participate in external networking and fundraising events on behalf of Sarah’s Circle.

Attendance Required at Events

• All Agency events including Winter Walk
• Additional Speaking events as Required

Competencies

• Dependability: able to work independently, submits accurate documentation, and seeks guidance when needed.
• Teamwork: establishes collaborative relationships with staff and volunteers, provides leadership when appropriate
• Receptiveness: accepts feedback, takes ownership of responsibilities, and identifies areas of growth
• Interpersonal Skills: communicates clearly (written and verbally), seeks solutions, and demonstrates flexibility
• Integrity: keeps sensitive information confidential and adheres to personnel policies
• Initiative: brings questions to supervisor and seeks opportunities for further development

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred

Job Experience

• 2-3 years of nonprofit experience preferred, including communications, social media, and writing experience

Special Knowledge and Skills:

• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to consistently meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Strong computer skills required.
• Track record of quickly learning new technologies.
• Capacity to work with individuals from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of systemic, societal issues relating to women and homelessness, and the ability to articulate these issues and Sarah’s Circle programming to the public preferred.
• Office 365, Facebook Business Manager, Google Ads, Canva, Adobe, WordPress, and Bloomerang preferred.

Health and Safety Requirements/Instructions:

• Position requires the ability to lift approximately 20 lbs.
• Employees are advised on OSHA standards through required signage and administrative updates as compliant with federal law

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance