Chicago Jobs Council

Strategic Communications Specialist

Chicago Jobs Council

contract

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Chicago • Illinois • United States

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Salary

💰 $36 - $40 per hour

About the role

  • Develop high-level, ecosystem-wide communications to educate, inform, and engage key stakeholders, with specific strategies related to policymakers, legislators, funders, workforce development providers, employers, post-secondary education partners and community based organizations.
  • Co-create communication plans related to two annual events and regular communications related to policy advocacy and building capacity for the workforce development sector.
  • Execute an integrated communications approach and report to the CEO.
  • Craft overarching narratives and key messages about CJC activities, expertise and impact to increase visibility and elevate the organization's role in the ecosystem.
  • Regularly edit staff’s written materials and promotional ideas to maintain brand consistency and proper alignment with goals of communication efforts.
  • Identify opportunities to position the organization’s expertise, leadership and major initiatives to broader audiences in both digital and print.
  • Design templates and frameworks for common communications products, such as training flyers, one-pagers and organization-wide reports; fundraising campaign and special event materials, briefs and email series; awareness campaign toolkits; policy brief templates; slide decks and talking points.
  • Review social media, email marketing, search engine optimization, and website analytics to spot trends and make recommendations on how to adjust/improve marketing and content.
  • Conduct an audit of existing digital and social media channels, including performance of platforms and key content types, and provide recommendations on which channels and formats are most effective for core audiences.
  • Update and maintain the website and social media platforms, remaining current on trends and providing leadership in terms of best practices for content and post.
  • Lead efforts to build relations with media outlets to increase opportunities of placements of written press releases, opinion editorials, and public statements; coordinate interviews with news media, develop talking points, and support related activities.
  • Maintain and implement internal guidelines for the use of CJC logo and brand; monitor the use of logo and brand across all materials and media to ensure consistency.
  • Develop and maintain an annual strategic communications plan that identifies audiences, goals, channels, metrics and timeline for prioritized projects and campaigns.
  • Develop and manage an internal calendar that identifies partnerships with appropriate team members.
  • Support the Development Manager by leading the communications and marketing of two annual fundraising events.

Requirements

  • 5-8 years of related experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or related roles, preferably in social justice, policy, workforce, education, or nonprofit environments.
  • Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex policy and program content into clear, persuasive, and audience-appropriate language.
  • Excellent design and visual skills, with proficiency in design programs and software (e.g. Canva, Prezi, Squarespace, Adobe Suite, etc)
  • Strategic thinker who can connect organizational goals to communications tactics, set priorities, and focus limited hours on high-impact activities.
  • Strong collaboration skills; able to work with executives and frontline staff, provide constructive guidance, and build staff capacity.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills that allow for the handling of multiple and competing priorities while meeting short and long term deadlines.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
strategic communicationspolicy advocacywritingeditingdesigncontent creationdigital marketingsocial media managementSEOevent marketing
Soft Skills
collaborationstrategic thinkingorganizational skillstime managementcommunicationleadershipcapacity buildingguidancepersuasionaudience engagement