Communications Generalist

Time Commitment: 15-20 hours per week

Compensation: $35-$50 per hour

The Organization 

Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland is a Black LGBTQ+ led, multiracial social justice organization that advances justice for Black LGBTQ+ people across Chicagoland through empowerment, education, and entertainment. Since LF’s founding in July 2019, we have forged collaborations with 25 partner organizations, planned 88 events with 4,000 participants, and launched the nation’s first Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI). LF is a small but rapidly growing organization that is poised for growth over the next year.

The Role

Lighthouse Foundation seeks a Communications Generalist to support the communications efforts of the Executive Director and the entire organization. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role supports the management of the Executive Director’s social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok) and website. Alongside our full-time Manager of Communications, this role also supports the marketing and communications for Lighthouse Foundation including but not limited to, social media presence, website maintenance, graphic design, and email marketing.

The ideal candidate is an adaptive self-starter who enjoys working as part of a team and is growth-oriented. This will be a part-time contract role averaging 15- 20 hours per week. This role is primarily a remote position with some in-person requirements in the Chicagoland area. 

Support the Executive Director (70%)

• Design and execute a year-round communications strategy for the Executive Director 
• Oversee and expand the Executive Director’s social media presence in alignment with the mission and vision of Lighthouse Foundation (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok)
• Launch and maintain a monthly e-newsletter from the ED
• Attend events with the ED and capture video and pictures for the ED’s social media as well as Lighthouse Foundation
• Create a website and podcast that will center spirituality, justice, and leadership
• Develop video and audio products
• Draft and edit speeches and talking points
• Engage press entities 

Support for the Organization (30%)

• Partner with LF’s full-time Manager of Communications to develop content strategies that surface and collect stories and evidence of LF’s impact
• Develop actionable strategies to grow LF’s audience and develop messaging and media relations
• Alongside LF’s full-time Manager of Communications, create value-adding posts across our various channels, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok, through organic and paid marketing campaigns
• Create presentations, update social media accounts, and prepare mass emails
• Provide coaching, advice, and editorial support to other staff on storytelling, content collection, spoken, written, and visual communications
• Build relationships with press entities to further the presence of Lighthouse Foundation’s work
• Attend and support LF events

Requirements

• Live in the Chicagoland area
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and/or 5+ years of experience in a similar role, preferably for a nonprofit focusing on racial justice, HIV, or LGBTQ+ issues.
• Experience in developing and executing marketing, communication, and content strategies for an organizational leader and thought leader 
• Excellent messaging, storytelling, writing, photography, videography, and editing skills.
• Strong visual eye and graphic design skills
• Extensive experience with specific skills in website, email, social media, video and audio editing, graphic design, publishing/content workflows, content management, and social media analytics a plus, with a strong ability to learn new communications technologies
• Capacity to simultaneously work on multiple tasks and projects and set priorities
• Ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders, including staff and board, network members, external partners, philanthropists, funders, and thought leaders
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and solution-oriented with a mindset to identify and pursue opportunities