Communications Coordinator

Syrian Community Network (SCN) works alongside immigrants and refugees, with care, through needs-based Case Management, Education, and Immigration services. Founded in 2015, the organization has worked with 2,000+ individuals from over 35 countries and continues to grow. We envision an Illinois where immigrants and refugees feel safe, welcome, and supported in their communities.

SCN seeks a creative, strategy-driven individual, with at least an intermediate level of experience, for this newly created position. The Communications Coordinator will play a vital role in enhancing our growth, visibility, and impact. Alongside the Director of Development & Communications, they will be responsible for strategies and implementation to expand and further engage audiences to inspire action through donations, volunteering, and beyond. Key aspects of the role include managing our brand awareness, website/SEO, social media, e-newsletters, and digital and print donor communications using the principles of ethical storytelling and community centric fundraising.

Supervision:

The Communications Coordinator reports directly to the Director of Development & Communications. This position does not have any supervisory duties.

Related Responsibilities:

Communications (70%)

• Develop and execute communication plans for community & donor relations, media, and social media in partnership with the Director of Development & Communications.
• Create and design print and digital communications materials, including social media graphics, videos, fliers, signage, e-newsletters, annual report, and press releases using Canva, Google Drive, and online video tools.
• Manage and schedule content for social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tiktok), e-newsletters, and future channels on a regular basis with timely delivery of content execution, and promptly engage followers within working hours.
• Develop compelling stories by working with internal teams, news media, and other third-party groups to capture footage and interviews with staff, clients, volunteers, donors, etc., with support from interpreters as needed; manage the story and photo bank.
• Ensure assets are consistent with brand voice, guidelines, and messaging to reflect SCN's mission across all platforms, events, and collateral.
• Develop and optimize messaging strategies including ask frameworks, CTAs, and landing page messaging that reflect motivations and behavioral insights for the desired action, whether to donate, volunteer, or beyond.
• Build segmented, automated email journeys and personalized content that strengthens relationships and moves supporters toward deeper engagement and giving.
• Manage and optimize website content (Squarespace), structure, and performance to improve visibility and user experience among influential audiences and potential supporters.
• Apply SEO best practices using tools like Google Analytics.
• Monitor performance of campaigns and digital content using tools like Google Analytics, Meta, and Constant Contact in order to provide regular insights to improve content strategy, SEO, and stakeholder engagement.

Fundraising (30%)

• Support annual fundraising campaigns alongside the Director of Development & Communications through developing themes, capturing stories, and creating content for direct mail appeals and digital marketing assets geared towards donors.
• Support lead generation and donor engagement by leveraging insights from donor psychology and giving behavior to optimize email, social, and web campaigns.
• Assist with design and creation of marketing collateral for fundraising or community events.
• Assist with email donor communications, ensuring timely and appropriate acknowledgment of gifts.
• Provide copywriting support on an as-needed basis for grant proposals.
• Stay informed about current fundraising trends, best practices, and relevant industry developments as it relates to communications.

Qualifications and Skills

• Educational background in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (equivalent experience considered)
• Preferred minimum two years of relevant experience (e.g., writing, marketing communications/services, journalism).
• Strong writing, storytelling, and editing skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and appeals.
• Strong analytical skills, including generating and analyzing reports and recognizing opportunities or challenges.
• Preferred experience in fundraising communications or marketing strategies focused on donor engagement, including the development of appeals, ask frameworks, or conversion-focused content.
• Proficiency in social media management platforms, SEO and web content management systems. (Preferred experience with Canva, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Meta Business Suite, Constant Contact, Google Drive suite, and Squarespace.)
• Experience using a CRM tool for audience segmentation and communications (i.e., Salesforce, Constant Contact, Google Analytics).
• Familiarity with analytics tools to monitor and report on campaign performance.
• Experience with project management tools, such as Asana, to organize tasks, manage workflows, and meet deadlines, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to social justice and basic understanding of issues affecting refugees. Ability to work with different cultures and build relationships, with comfortability using interpretation support when required.
• Ability to flex hours to meet the position's needs (some evening or weekend events throughout the year).
• Hired candidate must reside in Chicagoland area at the time employment begins.

ADA Specifications

Physical demands that must be met in order to successfully complete the essential functions of the job:

• Requires ability to use computers, telephones and other office equipment.
• Requires ability to sit or work on a computer for extended periods of time.
• May require occasional bending and lifting up to 25 pounds.