Marketing and Communication Manager

Bridge Communities is looking for a Marketing and Communication Manager is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of all of Bridge Communities’ marketing strategies, communications, and public relations activities. This position directs the strategic and tactical levels of all communications to create meaningful storytelling to expand the agency’s brand throughout the region. This position creates the voice – written, verbal, digital, video – shared with all stakeholders, both internal and external. This position helps determine the look of Bridge’s brand and works to maintain brand consistency throughout all communications by multiple stakeholders. This position also manages the relationship with the contracted graphic designers, social media, video production, and website management companies.

To be successful in this role you must be well organized, able to think creatively and analytically, be self- motivated, and comfortable juggling multiple tasks at once. You must also enjoy working in a fast-paced environment that requires independent decision-making and strong problem-solving skills. Additionally, the ideal candidate is a friendly and professional communicator and is energized by the day-to-day challenges of a client based social service agency.

The Marketing and Communication Manager is a 40-hour per week, salaried exempt position. This position is a member of the Development team, but their work stretches across all aspects of the organization. This position reports to the Senior Director. This position qualifies for all Bridge Communities offered benefits, including health and disability insurance, vacation and sick leave, 403(b) retirement matching, et al. This position may require occasional work outside of normal business hours. The Marketing and Communication Manager will have an office at the organization’s headquarters in Glen Ellyn.

About Bridge Communities

• DuPage County’s largest provider of transitional housing and supportive services for homeless families.
• Owns and operates 24 apartment buildings in 7 DuPage communities, 154 total apartments. Headquarters office is in Glen Ellyn.
• Serves over 100 homeless families, with Program staff providing case management, employment counseling, children’s services, nutrition counseling, and donated automobile program.

• Unique business model with faith communities and community-based organizations providing both financial support and volunteer mentors for families.
• Numerous collaborations with public schools, medical and behavioral health, legal services, local and county government, and recreational service partners to provide holistic scope of support to families.
• Strong fundraising and resource development team that has created diversity of funding streams and high donor retention.
• $ 4.8 million operating budget, $16 million in net assets, with $3.8 million endowment and 26 staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for creating, implementing and measuring the success of:
• A comprehensive marketing, communications and public relations program that will enhance Bridge’s brand and reach within the community at-large, and internal and external stakeholders
• All marketing, communications, and public relations activities and materials including newsletters, annual report, fundraising appeals, Giving Tuesday, media relations, social media, website, brochures, and other requested materials.

• Ensure that the appropriate systems and procedures are in place to properly direct marketing and communications.

• Ensure that brand identity is infused in all messaging, marketing, communications, and decision- making.

• Work closely with leadership, development, and program staff to design and implement communication strategies and effective messaging for organizational and project-specific goals. Ensure that evaluation systems are in place related to these strategies and goals, and create reporting processes to present to Senior Director, CEO and board of directors.

• Lead strategy and partner with contracted digital marketing firm to create and post engaging digital content for website, social media, and email channels. Measure outcomes to determine effectiveness and best practices.

• Work closely with Senior Manager of Development and volunteer committees to promote annual events.

• Promote organization with local, regional, and national media outlets and ensure regular contact with press outlets. Respond to media requests.

• Lead organization to ensure communications and marketing materials are culturally competent and reach diverse audiences.

• Manage relationship with website management firm, manage website content, and monitor and utilize engagement analytics.

• Manage relationships with contracted graphic designers, PR consultants, brand consultants and serve as lead staff facilitator to ensure materials are produced and goals are met.

• Ensure that Bridge’s values, mission, and vision are understood and practiced by staff, volunteers, and clients. Formulate and administer policies to ensure the integrity of Bridge.

• Identify trends, monitor current events, and influencers to anticipate opportunities for Bridge to engage in and/or lead the local, regional, and national conversation on housing instability and family homelessness.

Key Competencies:

Thought:

• Innovative and creative
• Servant leadership
• Digital literacy

Results:

• Inspiring and persuasive
• Deadline driven

People:

• Values teamwork
• Timely in response to others
• Flexible to others needs

Self:

• Ethical reasoning and decision making
• Excellent Writer
• Strong visual aesthetic
• Problem Solver

Qualifications and Skills:

• A minimum of 4-7 years of similar job requirement experience, preferably working within a not-for- profit organization.
• Bachelors Degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or non-profit management. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word / Excel / Outlook/ PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, Canva, Constant Contact, Sprout Social, and social media platforms. Understanding of website content management systems.
• Demonstrated creation and implementation of marketing and communication strategies and plans.

• Experience in writing fundraising appeal campaigns, fundraising case statements, newsletters, and digital content.
• Excellent writing and editing skills. Ability to direct writing at many different audiences while maintaining Bridge’s voice and brand.
• Demonstrated knowledge of good design principles.
• Experience leading video production, including script writing, participant recruitment, director oversight, and editing.
• Engaging public speaker and interviewer, with active listening skills and ability to ask follow-up questions.
• Ability to set priorities, communicate those priorities and ask for help when needed. Ability to clearly communicate and collaborate with others. Desire to lead as well as learn. Ability to maintain composure and humor in times of stress.
• Must align with Bridge Communities commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Be open to working outside of the “normal” workday, occasional nights and weekends are required.
• While performing duties of this position, employee will be required, on occasion, to climb stairs and lift up to 20 pounds.
• Valid Illinois Driver’s License and the ability to travel locally.

This job description does not list all duties of the job. You may be asked by supervisors to perform other duties as needed to achieve the mission of Bridge Communities. You will be evaluated, in part, based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description. You employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.

To Apply:

• Browse our website www.bridgecommunities.org to learn more about Bridge Communities.
• Compose a cover letter – one-page maximum – to clearly state your case for your candidacy. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
• Email you cover letter and resume to amy.vanpolen@bridgecommunities.org.
• Candidates whose backgrounds are a strong fit with our requirements and have followed the explicit instructions can expect contact within 10 business days of application. No follow-up phone calls or emails please. Application deadline is May 20th.
• Please do not supply references at this time.
• Salary range is $60-65,000.

Bridge Communities is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, client families, volunteers, and vendors. Bridge Communities does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring, and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

Bridge Communities will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or applicant on the bases of the above-mentioned protections.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided as needed to enable qualified applicants with a disability to participate in the pre-employment process.