Illinois Marketing & Communications Manager

THE ROLE

Your role stands at the intersection of communications and the fight to change the odds for historically underserved children and families. As a key member of Stand’s Illinois team at a moment of tremendous need and opportunity, you will deepen our impact by working closely with the Illinois Executive Director and the Senior Director of Strategy Communications to execute marketing & communications strategies and create high-quality content to reach our target audiences.

Through your dedication and passionate approach to the role, you get the opportunity to work with colleagues who are bold and strategic and take responsibility for achieving substantial progress toward our mission every year.

This is a hybrid, primarily remote position based out of Illinois.

THE ORGANIZATION

Stand for Children is a unique catalyst for educational success and social progress, to create a brighter future for us all.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Content Creator / Storyteller - Help identify and create compelling, persuasive, relevant, and accurate communications content through people-oriented, compelling storytelling that will increase stakeholder and target audience engagement.

• Produce high-quality, compelling content for digital and traditional communications that will support public policy, electoral, fundraising, and family engagement goals.
  • Develop content and execute effective voter outreach and action campaigns (both legislative and electoral) via our email list and social media. This includes monitoring and reporting on the success of each tactic and recommending adjustments to content and/or audience in conjunction with the Executive Director and the Senior Director of Strategy Communications
  • Work closely with the Senior Director of Strategy Communications to develop content and execute effective digital advertising campaigns. This includes monitoring ad performance and recommending adjustments to content and/or audience.
  • Create compelling, persuasive, relevant, and accurate communications and digital content, including video, graphic, and written content, that will increase visitors’ engagement with the organization and build community support for improving schools.
  • Build the digital profile of Stand for Children Illinois as a leading voice in education advocacy and motivate parents, educators, and concerned community leaders to get involved through extensive online engagement with community partners and organizations.
  • Create compelling content for digital donor communications – emailed newsletters, PowerPoint presentations, and “one-pagers” that clearly explain our work in creative, engaging ways, in conjunction with the Executive Director and the National Development Director
  • Utilize innovative digital tools as well as traditional communication channels to engage members of the community most effectively.
  • Act as liaison between the Stand team, participating families, and the media, including opportunities to share their stories in support of our policy goals.
• Build Stand’s social media presence through high-quality, timely, creative posts, and engagement with online communities, using both Stand’s social media properties and by engaging with others.
• Proactively initiate or participate in social media conversations in spaces like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to build relationships with online state and local education, parent, and student groups.

Public Relations Manager - Build and leverage public relations and earned media opportunities.

• Cultivate and maintain media contacts for disseminating press releases, gaining earned media, and leveraging public relations opportunities, including a database of media contacts for disseminating press releases in addition to elected officials, community/regional/statewide leaders, and subject matter experts who comprise Stand’s target audiences and/or who may be allies of Stand on specific policy endeavors.
• Assist the Executive Director in maintaining media relationships and generating media placement opportunities, including supporting the logistics of earned media scheduling and execution.
• Write compelling, accurate, and timely press releases.
• Track Stand’s local and state media coverage, as well as news about policy initiatives that are important and influential to Stand's positions.
• Track general education coverage (and reporter social media chatter) to track reporter and outlet interest on various aspects of the debate.
• Conduct market-specific qualitative research to inform strategic communication outreach to target audiences.
• Create and edit a range of organizational materials to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

Internal Brand Manager

• Ensure Stand content aligns with Stand for Children’s brand and adheres to network-wide messaging guidelines.
• Be the point person for the extensive communications, digital tools, and resources available through Stand for Children.
• Manage organizational written materials to ensure message discipline, clarity, conciseness, and effectiveness.
• Train all new staff on organizational brand, elevator pitch, and tone while providing support and refreshers to current staff.
• Provide media training to colleagues or parents who may speak to the media or who may be providing public testimony.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Passionate commitment and alignment to Stand for Children's mission, vision, and values.
• Two to five years’ experience in communications and/or marketing such as digital strategies, cause marketing, or journalism. Experience in political campaigns or issue advocacy is a plus.
• Outstanding and fast writing and editing skills - skilled at developing straightforward, clear, and persuasive content.
• Highly creative, especially regarding digital community building and communication.
• Hands-on understanding and ability to manage and make recommendations on Stand’s digital channels.
• Collaborative, learning-oriented team player.
• Ability to identify and coordinate with Stand leadership in the event of a crisis communications situation.
• Excellent planning and organizational ability, exceptional attention to detail, high sense of urgency, and flexibility with shifting priorities.
• Ability to rapidly learn about public education issues and other related political advocacy issues, when necessary.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret performance analytics for all communication channels.
• Ability to manage time while working from home and using digital meeting tools effectively.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Canva, CapCut, and Outlook.
• Experience using paid advertising (traditional and digital) as part of a strategic communications plan or campaign is a plus.
• Knowledge of public education issues and/or experience creating political advocacy campaigns is a plus.
• Familiarity with state political and legislative environment and context is a plus.
• Spanish fluency and experience with Spanish-language translation is a plus.
• Existing relationships with local press and media are a plus.
• Ability to be stationary for extended periods of time and ability to travel to meetings; May require the ability to climb stairs.

Generous benefits including medical, dental, vision, and RX. Company paid STD, LTD, and AD&Dm and life insurance. Generous PTO.