Marketing and Communications Manager (Full-time, hybrid)

Position Highlights:

• Full-time hybrid position
• Reports to the president
• Location: Wilmette & Evanston IL
• Salary: $60k-70k annually

Company Overview:

Hope Ignites Chicago formerly Boys Hope Girls Hope is a Residential Scholarship program and catalyst that helps young people achieve their full potential. We are connecting with youth when they are 10-13 years old who are bright motivated and inspired to help their families break the cycle of poverty and create a new partnership with their families and guardians our job is to guide and nurture them on the way there. We help them find their purpose and passion by exposing them to life educational and professional opportunities they might not otherwise be able to access.

We make a long-term commitment to our young people from middle school through high school college and into their early careers. Our Residential Scholarship program serves as the primary home for scholars who receive round-the-clock care in a structured and loving environment. We provide scholarships wrap-around support and connections to internships and jobs for post-secondary/collegian students.

Hope Ignites Chicago has 20 team members and more than 150 volunteers who work together to serve 60 young people. Hope Ignites Chicago is part of an international network. Network-wide we serve 1200 young people in 15 cities across the United States Guatemala and Mexico. Scholars come from a wide variety of backgrounds and we encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Position Overview:

Reporting to the President with collaboration with the Vice President and Director of Philanthropy this position will act as the primary brand caretaker and ambassador responsible for leading the organization in the development and implementation of the Hope Ignites Chicago brand strategy for internal and external communication digital marketing platforms and media messages that consistently articulate the organization s addition this position is the lead grant writer for Hope Ignites Chicago with the support of and in collaboration with the development team.

This is a full-time level position requiring some level of flexibility in work schedule as needed. The role is a manager position that requires a combination of creative vision leadership high-level strategy project management and execution. Hope Ignites Chicago is a busy place so candidates need to thrive in a fast-paced work environment.

What You Will Be Responsible For:

• Facilitate the creation and execution of an overall marketing and communications strategy.
• Produce an annual marketing and communications plan.
• Report on marketing and media activities to the Revenue Committee of the Governing Board.
• Meet all marketing and communication Key Performance Indicators (KPI s) as outlined in the Hope Ignites Performance Management Tool.
• Support the marketing & communications efforts around our name transition from Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois to Hope Ignites Chicago.
• Collaborate with Network Headquarters on timing and steps of transition.
• Craft three annual appeals highlighting program initiatives and accomplishments to inspire and grow individual giving.
• Fall/Back-to-School Appeal; Annual/Holiday Appeal Spring/Graduation Appeal.
• Maintain and enhance our website in keeping with our brand identity.
• Become proficient in website software.
• Identify opportunities to highlight facets of the program on the website.
• Keep event information up-to-date on the website.
• Collaborate with NHQ on website updates when needed.
• Maintain Hope Ignites Chicago socials including but not limited to Instagram Facebook LinkedIn etc.
• Create social posts for the President s LinkedIn page to help the organizations digital engagement.
• Work with the Vice President and Director of Philanthropy to write grants a key source of revenue.
• Support Hope Ignites Chicagos major events (currently Golf Outing Evening of Hope Gala and spring event).
• Develop promotional materials (Save-the-Date postcards formal invitations e-blasts etc.).
• Support the launch of a new spring event format that showcases our emerging campus Gaffield Palooza (bands tacos and margaritas).
• Support the President with key messaging and tactics for successful leadership.
• Create posts for the Presidents LinkedIn to promote Hope Ignites Chicago brand.
• Prepare visual presentations for leadership and development use.
• Develop plan and support crisis management communications for Hope Ignites Chicago.
• Lead the annual Scholar/staff media day.
• Coordinate with the photographer and schedule in collaboration with the staff and program team.
• Maintain a comprehensive marketing file on Hope Ignites Chicago which includes branding documentation historical print ads appeals photos data etc. that is easy to understand and navigate and accessible to others.
• Create regular reports on media placements website updates press release distribution social media graphic design projects budgetary spending updates and other pertinent marketing information.
• Advise on Marketing and Communications budgetary recommendations in collaboration with the Hope Ignites Chicago President.

What You Bring to the Role:

• Bachelor s degree in Marketing Communications Advertising or related area of study.
• At least 3-5 years of demonstrable experience in the Marketing and/or Communications field or a directly related position.
• Nonprofit experience is highly desirable.
• Strong writing time-management and project-management skills.
• Graphic design skills are extremely desirable.
• Video shooting and editing skills are a plus.
• Capable of effective extensive use of phone and computer technology and regular phone and/or virtual communication with external vendors Hope Ignites Chicago committee members volunteers as well as Hope Ignites team members across the country.
• Command of Microsoft Suite is a must.
• Familiarity with Adobe Suite is a plus.

Desired Attributes Disposition & Skills:

• A commitment to and understanding of Hope Ignites Chicago beneficiaries.
• A willingness to utilize professional skills and networks to enhance the work of the staff and advance the mission of Hope Ignites Chicago.
• Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills with a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading convening facilitating and building rapport among donors and potential donors.
• A passion for marketing and communications management and the ability to provide outstanding customer service while building relationships with external vendors and internal partners.
• An understanding that diplomacy tact and courtesy are paramount.
• A team player who is self-directed creative and enjoys working in a mission-based institution.
• Excellent communication oral skills and powerful writing skills.
• Organized professional with the ability to manage multiple time-sensitive projects concurrently with strict attention to detail.
• Capacity to anticipate project needs discern work priorities and meet deadlines.
• Personal qualities of integrity professional maturity credibility good judgment and honesty.
• Access to a personal vehicle for transportation to vendor meetings events etc.
• A sense of humor.

Ideal candidates must exhibit the ability to:

• Promote and advance brand policies guidelines and goals for Hope Ignites Chicago.
• Expand communications engagement and dialogue with all audiences across all media to increase visibility and awareness of Hope Ignites Chicago brand mission values culture program and outcomes.
• Design user experiences for digital platforms that reflect the Hope Ignites Chicago brand.
• Collaborate with event & development colleagues in the work of Hope Ignites Chicago.

Compensation Benefits and Job Structure:

This is a regular full-time hybrid position requiring three days per week in the office and two days remote. The role reports directly to the President and offers an annual salary of $60000 to $70000 commensurate with experience. The primary office is located in Wilmette with scholar homes situated in Evanston. The position involves occasional travel approximately one to three times per year.