AIDS Foundation Chicago
Chicago, Il
The Director, Communications sets and guides the strategy for all AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) and Center for Housing and Health (CHH) communications in collaboration with AFC leadership, including but not limited to, digital media, public relations, messaging, annual reports, strategic communication and collateral development to consistently articulate AFC and CHH’s missions, visions and connect with key audiences. This includes programmatic, policy, fundraising, organizational-wide communications, among other areas. This role leads an editorial, digital and design team at AFC that produces a variety of award-winning communications to publicize AFC’s work and impact. This leader pursues opportunities to build relationships between AFC and strategic partners to create collaborative strength to achieve health equity and justice. They also provide occasional capacity-building, training and thought-leadership to organizations.
The salary range for this role is $66,000 to $77,700.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop, implement, and evaluate campaign strategy to connect with the organization's audiences, in collaboration with AFC’s leadership team and constituents
• Lead and supervise a four-person Communications team
• Implement and oversee communication strategies to advance AFC’s policy, development, and programmatic goals from branding and marketing to social media/marketing campaigns with a focus on AFC’s priority communities (communities most impacted by HIV)
• Maintain AFC’s brand standards and organizational identity
• Oversee and contribute to the conceptualization and creation of influential and compelling content (written, designed, video, etc.) that convey the impact of AFC’s work
• Interview individuals and attend meetings to obtain information and data, verify facts, research, or seek technical advice
• Manage numerous deadline-driven projects simultaneously, at varying stages of production
• Draft articles, edits, and proofreads the final drafts; authenticates and corrects data
• Oversee design, videography, and photography projects
• Serve as project manager and executive editor on production of AFC’s print and electronic newsletters, annual report, and direct mail letters
• Oversee content updates on AFC websites as well as the agency’s social media accounts
• Oversee updates made to AFC and CHH’s websites
• Oversee development and maintenance of AFC’s branding and style guides
• Seek guidance for complex problems from the Chief Officer of External Relations and the President/CEO
• Independently work on other projects or assignments that present AFC’s work via print and Web venues
• Provides communications leadership and guidance with HIV related work throughout the state of Illinois
• Serving as the primary relationship manager between 10+ different teams including the Center for Housing and Health
• Develop workflows and best practices around communications operations and executing creative work
• Primary manager of vendor relationships including creative and other services
• Builds relationships with stakeholders at AFC current or prospective partner organizations in order to strengthen ties, build collaborative opportunities, and mobilize communities
• Serves as a thought leader and strategist within the digital marketing and communications realm at organization-wide, local and/or national levels
• Support the implementation and communication about AFC’s Race Equity Action Plan
• Provides guidance and direction to AFC departments, project leads and Senior Leadership Team related to digital marketing and engagement, and community engagement overall
Staff Supervision
• Hire, train, mentor and supervise assigned staff; including assisting with recruitment, selection, scheduling and job assignments, mentoring/coaching, staff development and training, performance evaluation, and recommending salary, disciplinary and other personnel actions in accord with personnel procedures
• Provide professional development opportunities and guidance to each team member to strengthen their skill sets and job satisfaction
• Meet regularly with assigned staff to identify priorities, discuss strategies, and review ongoing projects
Other
• Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, World of Chocolate and others
• Assist with other AFC activities as requested
The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assignment of duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Graphic Design Specialist, Digital Communications Specialist, Communications Manager and indirectly Policy Communications Specialists and interns.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
• A Master’s Degree with 7 years of experience, a Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism or Communications with at least 8 years of communications leadership/management experience,
• or high school diploma with 10 years of experience, ideally in an “in-house” leadership role (manager of multiple full-time staff members) within a complex (number and variety of constituents and departments) nonprofit entity.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills coupled with presentation skills
• Solid ability to prioritize, plan, and coordinate work activities, and manage resources so that work
• objectives are accomplished efficiently, in addition to having strong time management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to make reasoned judgments that are logical and well thought out
• Strong coaching and development skills as a supervisor of multiple individuals including the ability to train, coach, and develop employees
• Strong leadership skills working with Senior Leadership Teams, Boards and Committees
• Digital organizing and community mobilization skills
• Understanding of communications innovations, particularly on the digital front
• Understanding of policy, advocacy, programmatic work and revenue generation
• Solid interpersonal skills along with the ability and willingness to respect and value the differences and perceptions of different groups/individuals to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships internally and externally
• Ability to effectively, accurately, and articulately present AFC information and respond to questions from groups of funders, staff, and the general public on a variety of issues related to agency programs, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Understanding of nonprofit accounting issues on a system basis, and the ability to effectively manage multiple funding areas.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
None.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (20-25 pounds.) Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
The Director, Communications sets and guides the strategy for all AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) and Center for Housing and Health (CHH) communications in collaboration with AFC leadership, including but not limited to, digital media, public relations, messaging, annual reports, strategic communication and collateral development to consistently articulate AFC and CHH’s missions, visions and connect with key audiences. This includes programmatic, policy, fundraising, organizational-wide communications, among other areas. This role leads an editorial, digital and design team at AFC that produces a variety of award-winning communications to publicize AFC’s work and impact. This leader pursues opportunities to build relationships between AFC and strategic partners to create collaborative strength to achieve health equity and justice. They also provide occasional capacity-building, training and thought-leadership to organizations.
The salary range for this role is $66,000 to $77,700.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop, implement, and evaluate campaign strategy to connect with the organization's audiences, in collaboration with AFC’s leadership team and constituents
• Lead and supervise a four-person Communications team
• Implement and oversee communication strategies to advance AFC’s policy, development, and programmatic goals from branding and marketing to social media/marketing campaigns with a focus on AFC’s priority communities (communities most impacted by HIV)
• Maintain AFC’s brand standards and organizational identity
• Oversee and contribute to the conceptualization and creation of influential and compelling content (written, designed, video, etc.) that convey the impact of AFC’s work
• Interview individuals and attend meetings to obtain information and data, verify facts, research, or seek technical advice
• Manage numerous deadline-driven projects simultaneously, at varying stages of production
• Draft articles, edits, and proofreads the final drafts; authenticates and corrects data
• Oversee design, videography, and photography projects
• Serve as project manager and executive editor on production of AFC’s print and electronic newsletters, annual report, and direct mail letters
• Oversee content updates on AFC websites as well as the agency’s social media accounts
• Oversee updates made to AFC and CHH’s websites
• Oversee development and maintenance of AFC’s branding and style guides
• Seek guidance for complex problems from the Chief Officer of External Relations and the President/CEO
• Independently work on other projects or assignments that present AFC’s work via print and Web venues
• Provides communications leadership and guidance with HIV related work throughout the state of Illinois
• Serving as the primary relationship manager between 10+ different teams including the Center for Housing and Health
• Develop workflows and best practices around communications operations and executing creative work
• Primary manager of vendor relationships including creative and other services
• Builds relationships with stakeholders at AFC current or prospective partner organizations in order to strengthen ties, build collaborative opportunities, and mobilize communities
• Serves as a thought leader and strategist within the digital marketing and communications realm at organization-wide, local and/or national levels
• Support the implementation and communication about AFC’s Race Equity Action Plan
• Provides guidance and direction to AFC departments, project leads and Senior Leadership Team related to digital marketing and engagement, and community engagement overall
Staff Supervision
• Hire, train, mentor and supervise assigned staff; including assisting with recruitment, selection, scheduling and job assignments, mentoring/coaching, staff development and training, performance evaluation, and recommending salary, disciplinary and other personnel actions in accord with personnel procedures
• Provide professional development opportunities and guidance to each team member to strengthen their skill sets and job satisfaction
• Meet regularly with assigned staff to identify priorities, discuss strategies, and review ongoing projects
Other
• Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, World of Chocolate and others
• Assist with other AFC activities as requested
The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assignment of duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Graphic Design Specialist, Digital Communications Specialist, Communications Manager and indirectly Policy Communications Specialists and interns.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
• A Master’s Degree with 7 years of experience, a Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism or Communications with at least 8 years of communications leadership/management experience,
• or high school diploma with 10 years of experience, ideally in an “in-house” leadership role (manager of multiple full-time staff members) within a complex (number and variety of constituents and departments) nonprofit entity.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills coupled with presentation skills
• Solid ability to prioritize, plan, and coordinate work activities, and manage resources so that work
• objectives are accomplished efficiently, in addition to having strong time management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to make reasoned judgments that are logical and well thought out
• Strong coaching and development skills as a supervisor of multiple individuals including the ability to train, coach, and develop employees
• Strong leadership skills working with Senior Leadership Teams, Boards and Committees
• Digital organizing and community mobilization skills
• Understanding of communications innovations, particularly on the digital front
• Understanding of policy, advocacy, programmatic work and revenue generation
• Solid interpersonal skills along with the ability and willingness to respect and value the differences and perceptions of different groups/individuals to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships internally and externally
• Ability to effectively, accurately, and articulately present AFC information and respond to questions from groups of funders, staff, and the general public on a variety of issues related to agency programs, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Understanding of nonprofit accounting issues on a system basis, and the ability to effectively manage multiple funding areas.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
None.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (20-25 pounds.) Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
Center For American Progress
Washington D.C.
Reports to: Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Digital Advocacy Staff reporting to this position: Content Associate, Digital Advocacy Department: Advocacy and Outreach Position classification: Exempt, full time; Nonunion - Level 7 Minimum compensation: $92,000 Work site: Hybrid (on-site two days per week, Washington, D.C., office)
Summary
American Progress has an immediate opening for a Director of Content Strategy to join the Digital Advocacy team’s content creation and distribution efforts to build the case for progressive policies, values, and candidates.
With Americans facing an increasing onslaught of news and media content, it has never been more important to amplify progressive policies and build up the necessary communications infrastructure to break through the noise and reach key audiences—and American Progress is committed to leading the way.
A strong candidate for this role will lead the team’s work to create content and promote messaging for both American Progress platforms and partners across the progressive policy media landscape in order to improve online performance and help to close the engagement gap with conservatives. The Director of Content Strategy’s responsibilities include developing the strategy for and managing a team that identifies opportunities to create compelling content; crafts content and messaging guidance; and fosters collaboration between the digital, research, policy, communications, and stories teams to develop optimized content that fits the organization’s strategic priorities.
This is a full-time position funded for one year—with opportunities for extensions.
Responsibilities:
In partnership with the Vice President of Digital Advocacy and Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, develop a strategic plan to craft and distribute key messaging and content guidance and identify opportunities to create compelling content in coordination with teams across American Progress.
Become an expert on the latest messaging guidance and communications strategies from American Progress’ communications and policy teams, allied pollsters, and partner organizations. Develop and consistently maintain a set of digital messaging resources for use by the entire Digital Advocacy team.
Draft messaging memos and creative briefs for both internal stakeholders and partners.
Work collaboratively with the research, policy, communications, stories, and digital teams to generate ideas and produce content informed by key messaging, policy priorities, polling, and more.
As needed, review and edit various Digital Advocacy team products and video scripts to ensure message consistency and strategic alignment.
Manage a growing team of digital content strategists.
Collaborate with partners and other external organizations to share messaging and content best practices and drive message coordination.
Leverage the Advocacy and Outreach department’s social listening and digital analytics toolkit to stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices for digital content. Build a system for sharing insights across the Digital Advocacy team.
Requirements and qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
At least seven years of professional experience in strategic communications, social media, creative strategy, and/or digital content creation.
Previously demonstrated team leadership skills and high level of competency in a supervisory or management role.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
A passion for digital communication strategy.
Ability to synthesize complex information, such as polls, policy, and more, in a digestible way.
Proactive and a self-starter.
Political experience on a campaign or with an advocacy group or nonprofit is a plus.
Solid understanding of progressive values and policies and how they intersect with the news.
Detail-oriented with the ability to juggle multiple projects for different stakeholders, often in rapid-response or high-pressure situations.
Open to developing new skills as needed.
A positive team player with a passion for progressive change.
American Progress offers a full and competitive benefits package. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is not represented by a union and has a minimum salary of $92,000.
We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and the levels of community spread and adjust plans as needed for in-office work. Any changes to our current hybrid work policy will be communicated at the time of hire. Updates will be posted on American Progress’ Jobs page.
Reports to: Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Digital Advocacy Staff reporting to this position: Content Associate, Digital Advocacy Department: Advocacy and Outreach Position classification: Exempt, full time; Nonunion - Level 7 Minimum compensation: $92,000 Work site: Hybrid (on-site two days per week, Washington, D.C., office)
Summary
American Progress has an immediate opening for a Director of Content Strategy to join the Digital Advocacy team’s content creation and distribution efforts to build the case for progressive policies, values, and candidates.
With Americans facing an increasing onslaught of news and media content, it has never been more important to amplify progressive policies and build up the necessary communications infrastructure to break through the noise and reach key audiences—and American Progress is committed to leading the way.
A strong candidate for this role will lead the team’s work to create content and promote messaging for both American Progress platforms and partners across the progressive policy media landscape in order to improve online performance and help to close the engagement gap with conservatives. The Director of Content Strategy’s responsibilities include developing the strategy for and managing a team that identifies opportunities to create compelling content; crafts content and messaging guidance; and fosters collaboration between the digital, research, policy, communications, and stories teams to develop optimized content that fits the organization’s strategic priorities.
This is a full-time position funded for one year—with opportunities for extensions.
Responsibilities:
In partnership with the Vice President of Digital Advocacy and Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, develop a strategic plan to craft and distribute key messaging and content guidance and identify opportunities to create compelling content in coordination with teams across American Progress.
Become an expert on the latest messaging guidance and communications strategies from American Progress’ communications and policy teams, allied pollsters, and partner organizations. Develop and consistently maintain a set of digital messaging resources for use by the entire Digital Advocacy team.
Draft messaging memos and creative briefs for both internal stakeholders and partners.
Work collaboratively with the research, policy, communications, stories, and digital teams to generate ideas and produce content informed by key messaging, policy priorities, polling, and more.
As needed, review and edit various Digital Advocacy team products and video scripts to ensure message consistency and strategic alignment.
Manage a growing team of digital content strategists.
Collaborate with partners and other external organizations to share messaging and content best practices and drive message coordination.
Leverage the Advocacy and Outreach department’s social listening and digital analytics toolkit to stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices for digital content. Build a system for sharing insights across the Digital Advocacy team.
Requirements and qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
At least seven years of professional experience in strategic communications, social media, creative strategy, and/or digital content creation.
Previously demonstrated team leadership skills and high level of competency in a supervisory or management role.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
A passion for digital communication strategy.
Ability to synthesize complex information, such as polls, policy, and more, in a digestible way.
Proactive and a self-starter.
Political experience on a campaign or with an advocacy group or nonprofit is a plus.
Solid understanding of progressive values and policies and how they intersect with the news.
Detail-oriented with the ability to juggle multiple projects for different stakeholders, often in rapid-response or high-pressure situations.
Open to developing new skills as needed.
A positive team player with a passion for progressive change.
American Progress offers a full and competitive benefits package. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is not represented by a union and has a minimum salary of $92,000.
We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and the levels of community spread and adjust plans as needed for in-office work. Any changes to our current hybrid work policy will be communicated at the time of hire. Updates will be posted on American Progress’ Jobs page.