Communications Associate

Summary

The Communications Associate works to advance the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ mission by supporting and implementing digital communications strategies that elevate the organization’s policy priorities, engage supporters, and strengthen the Alliance’s brand across platforms. They help translate complex environmental policy issues into clear, compelling, and accessible content that inspires action and builds public support for Great Lakes protection.

A typical day:

A typical day might include drafting and scheduling social media posts; creating short-form videos and graphics; monitoring and responding to social media comments in a fast-moving digital environment; collaborating with policy and program staff to turn technical information into blog posts or action alerts; building emails; reviewing analytics to inform strategy; and organizing digital assets in the Alliance’s photo and video library.

Responsibilities

Social Media Management and Strategy

• Implement social media strategies across platforms including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky.
• Create, schedule, and publish engaging content that is tailored to each platform, is compelling, and reflects the Alliance’s brand voice and values.
• Monitor comments and messages, respond appropriately and professionally, and demonstrate sound judgment in a fast-moving, multi-platform social media environment.
• Track analytics and adjust content and strategy based on performance metrics.
• Identify opportunities for influencer engagement and assist with outreach and relationship building.
• Collaborate with the Communications Director, Communications and Digital Fundraising Manager, and Senior Communications Manager to refine and evolve digital strategy.

Graphic Design and Video Production

• Design compelling graphics and edit photos using Canva or similar tools for social media, website, and email campaigns.
• Produce short-form videos for social media that explain policy issues using tools such as Adobe Premiere, Canva, or similar platforms.
• Ensure visual consistency with the Alliance’s brand standards across all channels.
• Manage and organize the Alliance’s photo, video, and graphics library.
• Record original video and coordinate with staff and external vendors to capture photos and video that support communications campaigns and storytelling efforts.

Content Creation

• Draft, edit, and provide light proofreading for blog posts, website content, one-pagers, toolkits and other written materials.
• Translate complex environmental policy concepts into accessible and engaging language for broad audiences.
• Support email marketing efforts by drafting and building emails using Campaign Monitor.
• Draft and build action alerts using Engaging Networks or a similar advocacy platform.

General Support

• Monitor the organization’s inbox and route inquiries to appropriate staff.
• Coordinate with other assistant-level staff to coordinate scheduling and logistics across teams.
• Assist with campaign planning and execution, ensuring timelines are met and deliverables are completed.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards of organization and efficiency.
• Help triage and maintain speaking / comment requests, determining next steps.
• Stay current on digital trends, emerging platforms and best practices, and recommend new tools or tactics as appropriate.

Additional Duties

As assigned or needed.

Work Relationships

The Associate reports to the Communications Director and is a part of the Communications Team and the broader Advancement Team (A-Team).

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Physical Demands/Work Environment

No physical demand. This is a primarily remote position with a strong preference for location in the Chicago area, with an expectation to work from the office once per week. Fully remote staff are expected to travel to the Alliance's Chicago office a few times a year.

Knowledge/Skills

• At least 2-5 years of experience in social media management and strategy, graphic design and video production, content creation, and admin support.
• Strong writer with the ability to communicate complex policy ideas clearly while maintaining brand consistency and organizational voice.
• Demonstrated experience managing social media accounts and contributing to social media strategy.
• Ability to create compelling graphics and short-form video content using tools such as Adobe Premiere, Canva, or similar platforms.
• High level of maturity, judgment, and professionalism in managing and responding to public-facing communications.
• Experience working within email marketing and advocacy platforms such as Campaign Monitor and Engaging Networks preferred.
• Familiarity with website content management systems such as WordPress preferred.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage a content calendar with multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Understands and upholds Alliance for the Great Lakes values of community, relationships, courage, integrity, and optimism.
• Demonstrated alignment with our external and internal operating principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a background check.

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. The Alliance has defined salary ranges that are evaluated annually, and it is customary for candidates to join at the lower half of the range to leave room for learning and development in the role. It is uncommon for starting salaries to fall above the mid-point. The salary range for this position begins at $60,000 and we negotiate salaries with final candidates based on their experience in similar roles and expertise related to the qualifications.
• Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any paid holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks' annual vacation to start + PTO, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days.
• This is a primarily remote position with a strong preference for location in the Chicago area, with an expectation to work from the office once per week. Fully remote staff are expected to travel to the Alliance's Chicago office a few times a year.