Communications Manager

Overview

Organizational Information

Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC), a national nonprofit organization based in Chicago, is seeking a Communications Manager to help further its mission to make schools healthier places for children. HSC focuses on issues affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students, and those from under-invested communities, and makes equity part of the public dialogue about education and health. HSC advocates for policies and practices that support health and learning, including comprehensive health services, nutritious school food, strong physical activity programs, green schoolyards and clean air at school. HSC has a staff of 13 and an annual budget of $2.6 million.

 

HSC’s key strategies are to empower school stakeholders to be agents of change at the school and district levels, advocate for district, state and federal policies, and build the capacity of schools, school districts and other public agencies to better support student health. HSC works with a broad set of school and district stakeholders including parents, teachers, principals, school nurses and building engineers, and uses the lessons learned to advocate for policy and practice changes nationally, and at the state and local levels. This work takes place at the intersection of health, education, equity and sustainability.

 

Position Opportunity and Description

HSC is seeking a full-time Communications Manager to help develop and implement a communications plan that builds the organization and supports and promotes HSC’s programs, advocacy, fundraising and brand recognition. The successful candidate will bring a commitment to HSC’s mission; excellent writing and editing skills; very strong design skills; experience advancing a nonprofit’s mission and goals, and building audiences via a diverse set of communications platforms; a demonstrated commitment to racial equity; and a hands-on, collaborative approach. The Communications Manager will work closely with communications colleagues, senior leadership and program leads.

 

This position reports to the Senior Vice President. Specific responsibilities include:

• Anchoring a dynamic team that develops and successfully implements an annual communications plan, as well as tailored plans for individual programs, that result in a comprehensive and coordinated strategy for communicating with a variety of audiences, and meeting HSC’s program, policy, development and outreach goals.
• Writing, editing and designing program materials, reports, fundraising content, marketing materials, press outreach and other communications.
• Managing HSC’s social media channels, creating engaging content, and ensuring ongoing plans to communicate with stakeholders, build audiences and deepen relationships.
• Creating dynamic content for HSC’s websites, blogs and newsletters to effectively engage and build HSC’s audiences.
• Conducting regular reviews and updates of HSC’s four websites; working with outside vendors on website development and troubleshooting.
• Developing and interpreting key metrics for evaluating the success of communications strategies.
• Supporting the development and implementation of fundraising campaigns and strategies.

 

Qualifications

• A commitment to HSC’s mission, vision, values and equity priorities.
• A bachelor’s degree and 3+ years post-college experience in a professional communications role required; experience in a communications role with a nonprofit organization preferred.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, and experience writing for a diverse set of audiences and in a variety of styles, required.
• Very strong design and technology skills required. Significant experience using Google Workspace, social media platforms, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite (specifically InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator) and WordPress required. Experience with Trello and data management systems (HSC uses Salesforce) preferred.
• Experience using email marketing software required; proficiency in Mailchimp preferred.
• Highly organized, team-oriented person who can deploy internal and external resources with a sensitivity to organizational capacity and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated success in project management; proven ability to work in collaboration, integrate constructive feedback, prioritize work, manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of how to use communications as part of an advocacy agenda to create compelling messages that build audiences and public support is preferred.

 

Additional requirements

• The HSC team works both from the organization’s downtown Chicago office and remotely; candidates must have a functioning home office space for remote work and be able to regularly travel to the Chicago Loop. Occasional out of state travel is required as well.
• This position is only open to Chicago-area candidates or candidates who are relocating to the Chicago area (relocation resources are not available).
• This position will require working some nights and weekends.
• This position requires some meeting and event setup and support. Candidates should be
  comfortable lifting at least 25 pounds.
• Candidates must be willing to submit to background checks.
• This position is required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19; accommodations are provided on a case-by-case basis pursuant to individual employee situation or applicable state or local law.

The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on experience. Benefits package includes employer-paid medical, dental and disability insurance, 6% employer matching contribution to a retirement plan after one year of employment and paid vacation and sick leave.

Working at Healthy Schools Campaign

In addition to a competitive salary, benefits and the opportunity to work with a collaborative and dedicated team, there are a few more things that make HSC a great place to work:

• A commitment to team building and organizational culture.
• A focus on equity and anti-racist work, both internally and externally.
• A flexible schedule that allows team members to be productive at work and focus on other priorities as well. This includes supporting and providing flexibility for new parents/caregivers.
• Individual health insurance premiums are 100% funded on the standard plan (employees still pay deductibles and other costs depending on the plan).
• Contribution to family coverage begins in year two, with 100% paid coverage on the standard plan after five years. Multiple medical and dental plans are offered to meet individual needs and preferences.
• A home office stipend.
• Additional days off when the office closes at the end of the year.

 

To Apply

HSC is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability or veteran status. HSC strongly encourages BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ people and members of other marginalized communities to apply.

Send resume, cover letter, two writing samples and two design samples as one PDF to the email address listed here. Please put your full name in the subject line.

No phone calls please. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Position will remain posted until filled.