Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.
MFS is spearheading the Metropolitan Peace Initiative (MPI)/Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P), a framework designed to provide a comprehensive, long-term approach to reduce violence and gang activity. This framework will bring together community-driven strategies that will empower community-based organizations to intervene with those individuals at the highest risk of driving the violence, while working with the overall resident population to transform perceptions and realities of their community. This holistic framework responds to high-risk incidents while also being proactive in preventing situations.
We are now hiring for a full-time Communications Director to join our MPI/CP4P Team!
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Partner with Chief Communications Officer and team to develop a strategic external/internal communications plan and recommend improvements and tactics to promote the MPI/CP4P brand
- Lead the Communications team, projects and workload to ensure high-quality, high-impact and effective communications, public relations, social media, and graphic design
- Develop, write, create creative direction, and provide production oversight of communications and collateral materials to maintain consistency of the MPI/CP4P brand and programming
- Manage the writing and creation of compelling internal/external copy and communications on behalf of MPI/CP4P organization and leadership, including but not limited to speeches, briefings, talking points, newsletters, pre-read materials, memoranda, letters, emails, brochures, flyers and presentations
- Conduct quality control on all communications
- Develop relationships with key media outlets and stakeholders
- Oversee Public Relations Manager in strategizing and securing key media placements
- Build relationships with staff across MPI/CP4P programs and disciplines to conduct interviews and develop high-quality, high-impact written and digital communications pieces (impact stories, reports, summaries, social posts, descriptors, fact sheets, etc.)
- Assign staff in providing communications support for MPI/CP4P program, events, and initiatives, including insights/recommendations and developing/executing online content
- Implement and maintain a monthly content calendar to manage content and plan specific, timely campaigns
- Steward the MPI/CP4P brand, including ensuring consistency of voice and supporting staff in carrying out guidelines
- Partner with Communications Manager, Chief Communications Officer and team to develop a website/digital communications strategic plan and recommend improvements and tactics to promote the MPI/CP4P brand
- Oversee Communications Manager in the management of all website/digital communications
- Oversee Social Media Manager in writing and creating digital content for organization’s social media outlets, such as regular posts, blogs, tweets, etc.
- Create/write/edit content for the organization’s websites and communications
- Use organization’s content management system (i.e. WordPress) to add/edit/optimize/cross-promote content, including developing events promotions and registrations
- Oversee the continued maintenance of the email database and contact management/segmentation (i.e. Mail Chimp, Constant Contact)
- Use analytics to make site improvements, support growth initiatives and measure effectiveness of web-based activities
- Analyze website trends and make recommendations for improvements to functionality and the “look and feel” of websites
- Work with web host and other third-party vendors to resolve technical or performance issues and ensure they are identified and resolved
- Manage the organization’s multimedia archive
- Oversee Senior Graphic Designer in developing graphic designs for online and print communications (website, digital communications, print materials/signage, etc.)
- Manage and edit photography/short video footage (people, events, etc.) for online and print communications needs
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree with coursework in digital communications, communications, journalism or related field required, MA preferred
- Minimum 10 years experience in communications (including digital communications, website management and social media) required
- Must have access to own transportation and/or public transportation for off-site projects/events
- Ability to work special events as well as handle unexpected deadlines and emergency communications required
- Must be able to periodically work evenings/weekends
- Strong relationship building skills
- Teamwork and the ability to lead and motivate staff to produce high-level, brand-driven content
- Excellent writing and editing skills and the ability to write compelling copy are a must
- Ability to grasp and effectively communicate complex, detailed information in a clear, concise manner for a variety of audiences
- Comprehensive strategic thinking and rapid problem-solver skills
- Must be deadline-driven and possess the ability to meet important timelines in a fast-paced environment, a project management expert
- Ability to use good judgment, work well under pressure, adapt to change, and work collaboratively with individuals from all culturally diverse backgrounds
- Holistic insight skills – have an adept line of sight into every aspect of the enterprise, as well as its culture and talent
- Self-motivated, team and goal-oriented individual with the ability to drive results
- Strong knowledge of content management systems (i.e. WordPress) and email services (i.e. Mail Chimp, Constant Contact) required
- Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, including but not limited to Premiere, Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator preferred
- Solid knowledge of HTML/CSS, digital communications platforms, social media dashboards, Google Analytics and online evaluation tools
- Basic knowledge of online advertising and SEO/SEM strategies desired
- Other duties as assigned that are program and position specific
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- MFS staff are required to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved medical exemption prior to starting employment. If an approved medical exemption is obtained, weekly testing is required
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch
- The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal
- The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
SALARY
- Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for this position is $90,000.00.
Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
- Dental and Vision Insurance Options
- 12 paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 401K Plan
- Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
- Wellness Initiative Program
- Employee Assistance Network
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)