Associate Director of Communications

Christopher House

Christopher House is searching for an Associate Director of Communications looking to grow professionally in the field of communications and development. Candidates must possess an interest for non-profit communications, marketing, graphic design, and website optimization.

With a mission to develop independent, creative, lifelong learners, our infant, preschool, elementary and family schools build a community of students, teachers, and parents committed to excellence, achievement and perseverance, respect and compassion, and equality of opportunity.

Christopher House partners with parents to provide a continuum of education for students from birth through high school, as well as immersive family supports that help parents create stable, self-sufficient families. We operate accredited early learning, elementary, and out of school time programs grounded in research-based curricula and high-quality instruction.

OUR BELIEFS:

Children and families thrive when:

  • Education begins at birth and continues throughout life, with parents as a child’s first teacher; 
  • Home environments nurture literacy, achievement, and children’s success; 
  • Parents have high standards and set high expectations for themselves, their children, and children’s schools; 
  • Professionally trained teachers know their students as individuals; 
  • Evaluations and program improvements are data driven; 
  • Parents and staff work together to continuously evaluate and improve programming; 
  • Education includes the development of creativity and perseverance and is multi-disciplinary in order to foster each child’s unique strengths and interests; 
  • Developing independent, creative, life-long researchers, education must include curriculum designed to help scholars develop socially and emotionally as well as cognitively; 
  • Diversity is celebrated and explored so that learners develop broad perspectives on life and learning; 
  • and Parents and caregivers support their children financially and emotionally.

https://www.christopherhouse.org/

Position Details

Associate Director of Communications
Job
Full-time
1/12/2021
Chicago Illinois
Chicago, IL

Position Objectives:

The Associate Director of Communications develops and executes the annual communication plan in order to best convey the Christopher House mission and increase visibility for the agency with external stakeholders. The Associate Director of Communications is a crucial member of the External Affairs team, responsible for assisting in the growth of organizational revenue.

The Associate Director of Communications reports to the Director of External Affairs and manages the Development Communications Associate.

Supervises: Development Communications Associate

Specific Responsibilities:

  • Develop annual communication plan to support Christopher House and its fundraising efforts, while leveraging opportunities to promote the organization and expand its visibility and strong reputation with external stakeholders. 
  • Create timely and effective content for all print and electronic materials, including newsletters, annual reports, e-blasts, website updates, social media, press releases and other materials designed to educate and engage donors. 
  • Manage process, including design, timeline, budget, copy, and mailing segmentations for print and virtual campaigns. 
  • Manage Christopher House website and oversee social media efforts. 
  • Support key leaders with development of presentations, articles, speeches, and talking points. 
  • Assist with logistics and create all collateral for special events, including the Annual Benefit, which has a 2021 revenue goal of $750,000, in addition to cultivation events, the Read-A-Thon and Family to Family holiday program.

Qualifications:

  • At least 3 years work experience in a communications position. 
  • Excellent written and communication skills, including the ability to motivate and build a rapport with a variety of stakeholders, including staff, board, volunteers and donors. 
  • Strong understanding of social media and website optimization. 
  • Experience or demonstrated interest in management. 
  • Ability to motivate staff members and establish a supportive environment while ensuring tight execution of the annual communications plan. 
  • Goal-oriented and a self-starter looking to grow professionally in the field of communications. 
  • Willingness to take initiative. 
  • Excellent office and computer skills, and significant experience with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office Suite. 
  • Proficiency in a fundraising database, preferably Raiser’s Edge, a plus. 
  • Strong public speaking and presentation skills. 
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment while demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness when faced with dynamic priorities and needs. 
  • Demonstrated belief in Christopher House’s mission and values.

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree required.

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