Communications Manager

Overview

The Communications Manager is responsible for increasing COFI’s visibility at both local and national levels. More broadly, the role aims to raise awareness of the unique contributions that parent leaders of color and families from communities affected by systemic barriers to economic opportunity make in strengthening our nation’s communities and public policies. The manager will develop and implement strategic communications, both internal and external, across print and digital platforms, to engage current and prospective stakeholders in supporting parent leadership and organizing efforts.

Who We Are - About COFI

COFI was founded 30 years ago to build the full participation of low-income parents of color in the public decisions – policy, program, practice – that affect them. To do this, COFI created an innovative, evidence-based leadership development and community organizing model, The COFI Way, and brought it to low-income communities in Chicago, across Illinois and beyond. Results to date: over 5,000 low-income parents of color engaged in a wide range of racial, gender, and economic equity campaigns, gaining significant advances for children and families: winning 100+ new afterschool programs, restoring recess in Chicago, eliminating zero tolerance discipline in public schools, increasing enrollments in quality early learning across the state and battling exorbitant municipal fees and fines that mire families in poverty.

What You Will Do

• Develop and execute annual strategic communications plan
• Maintain organizational brand and positioning; ensure clarity and uniformity of messaging throughout communications channels
• Oversee digital strategy and create content for website, videos, social media and e-mail communications
• Develop print communications and collateral for internal and external purposes, such as campaign reports, fact sheets, and brochures
• Lead media relations, including maintaining national and local media lists, building media relationships, writing media materials, preparing staff and parent leaders for interviews, and facilitating press conferences and interviews
• Develop relationships with and work closely with community organizers, parents and partners on local and campaign work
• Support fundraising and the COFI Center for Action and Learning communications
• Develop process and systems to track communication performance; monitor and analyze eblasts (such as open rates, click throughs, unsubscribes) and social media engagement, adjusting tactics as needed
• Develop and implement COFI email list growth and e-newsletter strategies
• Support and manage internal communications, as needed, such as parent newsletters, reviewing internal digests, etc.
• Prepare weekly and quarterly work plans and reports.
• Managing the communications work of an associate, including delegating tasks, reviewing writing and communication projects, and giving constructive feedback.
• Other duties as assigned

Who You Are – Required Qualifications

• Commitment to COFI’s mission, values, and growth
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in communications, marketing, media relations, public affairs, or related field
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
• Ability to develop compelling messaging and stories for various audiences, including organizers, partners, donors, and the media
• Strong writing skills both in short and long form (i.e. for social media, direct mail appeals, and press releases)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Cloud (Acrobat, InDesign, Premiere, Photoshop), Google Analytics, email platforms (i.e., Constant Contact), and experience using CRM platforms/donor databases (i.e., WordPress, Little Green Light)
• Experience coordinating external partners, vendors, or contractors for branded materials or communications work
• Knowledge of media relations, traditional, and digital communications
• Strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills, flexibility, self-motivation with the ability to take initiative with limited supervision, comfort working with COFI staff, parent leaders and partners in person and virtually, and willingness to travel, especially within Illinois
• Have the ability to demonstrate sound judgment and work well under pressure
• Demonstrated interest in advocacy and social justice
• Knowledge, understanding of, and commitment to the empowerment of parents and families from communities where systemic inequities have created economic barriers and policy exclusion
• English/Spanish bilingual preferred, or ability to work with translators and interpreters

Reporting Relationships and Classification

• Reports to Deputy Director of External Affairs and Policy
• Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act, as a professional position
• Regular full time
• Starting salary range is between $66,000 to $76,000 annually, depending upon experience (with generous benefits).

How to Apply

• Send cover letter, resume and completed COFI Application Form to applications@cofionline.org. Forms available at https://cofionline.org/about-cofi/jobs/.
• Please also include 2-3 work samples (public or for a class project) that demonstrate your writing abilities, strategic thinking, and design skills. Work samples include, but are not limited to: Press release, Social media post and graphics, Email newsletters, Email campaigns, Webpages, Policy Briefs, Infographics, Brochures

Application Deadline

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Generous family friendly benefits include health, disability, life, 403(b) with employer match, paid time off, flex benefit, flexible scheduling and optional vision and dental. COFI offers a 5-week sabbatical after 10 years of employment.

Written and oral Spanish fluency preferred but not required.