Communications & Events Manager

Family Focus

Family Focus invests in strengthening families and their children in Chicago and NE Illinois so they build social capital and achieve upward economic mobility through high-quality innovative programs and services, grounded in anti-racism and social justice. Family Focus serves more than 20,000 children and family members annually with a budget of more than $26 million, of which 85% is government and 8% private contributions. Please visit www.Family-Focus.org to learn more.

https://www.family-focus.org/


Position Details

Communications & Events Manager
Job
Full-time
9/8/2022
Chicago Illinois
Chicago, IL

The Communications and Events Manager creates external communications for donors and for marketing of programs with adherence to brand guidelines, and oversees and assists with center marketing needs working closely with Center Directors. The position also manages the planning and execution of development events to achieve department revenue goals and advises/assists local fundraising at the centers.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

FUNDRAISING AND EVENT MANAGEMENT:

  • Lead the planning and execution of the annual dinner including revenue and guest solicitations, program book, collateral materials, slideshow, silent auction, video presentations and general logistics 
  • Support the Development Team and Board in soliciting event sponsors, and developing and executing cultivation and stewardship events 
  • Work with the Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations to solicit and steward sponsorship donors 
  • Support Program Leaders and Center Directors to increase local fundraising, community visibility and awareness and community partnership opportunities.

COMMUNICATIONS:

  • Develop and manage annual communications calendar including annual appeals, eblasts, social media, newsletters, stewardship and cultivation, and fundraising invitations. 
  • Facilitate external communication materials between central office and program centers 
  • Coordinate for consistent social media messaging with the Development Associate

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS:

  • Manage the gathering of organizational information by working with center directors and staff to assemble communication materials including program highlights, donor profiles and information, participant stories, and general center activities and updates 
  • Work with the VP of Philanthropy to write, design, and produce communication materials - newsletters, press kits, annual reports, branding materials, programs and promotional materials. 
  • Oversee the use of agency branding guidelines across centers, assist in designing and ordering branded items, assuring adherence to brand integrity. 
  • Manage SharePoint folder of branding resources for all agency team members. 
  • Manage vendor relations with printing companies and fulfillment centers; assist centers with identifying and ordering of marketing and recruitment materials for program communications needs

WEBSITE:

  • Manage content and updating of website (WordPress), coordinating with the IT Director and Development Associate; regularly update blog and news features. 
  • Facilitate internal planning and strategies for leveraging website and social media opportunities to support the organization and maximize digital communications impact. 
  • Lead a comprehensive review of content every six months to refresh and update the information, verify all contacts and program offerings at each center.

BOARD RELATIONS:

  • Primary manager of board records including rosters, terms of service, committee assignments and historical data 
  • Assist CEO and SVP, External relations with board materials and scheduling of board meeting, onboarding activities and assist with taking minutes as needed 
  • Manage board members’ personal network lists for use with appeals and solicitations

OTHER BOARDS:

  • Work with SVP, External Affairs to develop ideas, goals and strategies for establishing other board possibilities such as Junior, Civic, or Associate Boards 
  • Assist with other central office duties as needed

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree 
  • Three years’ experience in the development field or similar project management experience with the proven ability to multi-task and bring jobs to completion.

Skills and Qualifications:

  • Impeccable writing and proof-reading skills 
  • Experience and success in managing donor relations and solicitation 
  • Strong interest in nonprofit development and administration and a willingness to learn 
  • Proven track record of managing confidential information with discretion 
  • Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills; ability to communicate information clearly (both written and oral) 
  • Ability to build and maintain relationships and interact effectively with donors and donor prospects 
  • Proficiency in multiple computer and database systems including but not limited to Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Power Point, word-processing, spreadsheets, database; knowledge of fundraising software a plus 
  • Creative approach to problem solving 
  • Ability to work as a team member, supporting department events and initiatives 
  • This position requires occasional night and weekend hours. 
  • Covid-19 Vaccine is required (exemptions are available).

This is a full-time exempt position. Salary: $65,000/year.



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