Director of Communications at One Family Illinois

Chicago, Illinois, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

17 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

17 Dec, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Communications, Storytelling, Brand Strategy, Email Marketing, Social Media, Writing, Editing, Project Management, Collaboration, Crisis Communications, Fundraising, Digital Content, Design, Public Relations, Empathy, Cultural Sensitivity

Industry

Individual and Family Services

Description

Description The Role: The Director of Communications will lead strategy, storytelling, and brand visibility for One Family Illinois, crafting compelling narratives that elevate our mission and drive donor engagement. One Family Illinois is seeking a visionary and experienced Director of Communications to lead the organization’s brand, messaging, and public presence. Reporting directly to the Chief Advancement Officer, this role leads the Communications Team and is responsible for elevating the One Family Illinois brand across platforms, positioning the CEO as a thought leader in child and family welfare, and producing strategic content that increases individual and institutional giving. This role is also responsible for helping achieve the Communications Team’s 2025 revenue goal of $250,000 through print, email marketing, and social media campaigns. By aligning storytelling and strategy with our mission, this position plays a critical role in building trust, driving donor engagement, and strengthening One Family Illinois’ visibility and credibility. This is a high-impact role that currently oversees one full-time team member and requires a strategic, hands-on leader who can balance vision with execution while the team continues to grow. Specific Duties: · Lead the execution and refinement of the 2025–2026 Annual Communications Strategic Plan. · Supervise the Digital Content & Design Specialist, finalize their KPIs, and conduct their annual performance review. · Develop and launch the organization's first email marketing strategy, including welcome emails, two fundraising campaigns in 2025, event announcements, and executive communications. · Execute a multi-platform campaign to grow the email subscriber list through social media, in-person events, the website, and referral partnerships. · Serve as lead writer for executive messaging, quarterly donor mailers, campaign narratives, media outreach, and organizational publications. · Maintain and oversee execution of the organization’s brand strategy and style guide, ensuring consistency in messaging, visual identity, and voice across all content and departments. · Collaborate with the CEO to write all her external communications and create a press kit to help secure public speaking opportunities and press interviews for her. · Lead the development of a comprehensive social media strategy, setting goals for engagement, growth, and alignment with fundraising and campaign objectives. · Lead the Digital Content & Design Specialist in creating all the 35th anniversary digital and print marketing materials, including the invitation, social media advertisements, Eventbrite page, and web page. · Ensure the 35th Anniversary Gala sells out and lead the production of all event materials, including the PowerPoint presentation, event video, and signage, in collaboration with external contractors. · Oversee the development and production of the organization’s annual report, including gathering data and stories across departments, writing messaging and narratives, supervising the Digital Content & Design Specialist in designing the layout, contracting a writer if additional support is needed, and coordinating with a print vendor to ensure timely and high-quality production. · Manage communications and marketing vendors, including contract agreements, deliverable timelines, invoice tracking, and ensure payments are made on time. · Review communications performance reports, conduct analysis, and direct the Digital Content & Design Specialist in making changes to enhance engagement and reach. · Partner with Program teams to create storytelling that inspires action and reflects lived experience. · Partner with HR to develop recruitment marketing and messaging. · Lead crisis communications and reputation management in partnership with the executive team when necessary. Requirements Qualifications and Requirements: · Bachelor of Arts in communications, journalism, public relations, or marketing · Minimum of six years of experience in nonprofit communications, with a strong portfolio of work that supports fundraising and brand growth. · At least two years of experience supervising staff or leading teams. · At least one year of ghostwriting experience for a CEO or executive leader · Ability to connect with and interview families, children, and individuals from all backgrounds to build trust and tell their stories authentically and in a humanizing way. · Experience developing and executing email marketing campaigns; prior use of Emma or similar platforms is a plus. · Experience communicating with individual donors and foundations through digital and print messaging that inspires support and long-term partnership. · Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills across a variety of formats. · High emotional intelligence and empathy with strong organizational and project management skills · Ability to delegate tasks and collaborate with a range of internal and external partners. · Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint · Experience with Blackbaud or similar CRM/donor software is a plus. · Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is a plus. · Proficiency in Spanish (speaking, reading, writing) is a plus. · A deep belief that every child deserves a loving home where they can grow, thrive, and embrace the joys of childhood. · Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and staff. · Understanding of the complexities that lead families into the foster care system, poverty, and other challenges is preferred. · Ability to travel to One Family Illinois’ various program sites and offices across Auburn Gresham, Back of the Yards, University Village, Lockport, and downtown Chicago. · Ability to work occasionally in the evenings and weekends for events and special projects. · Must be able to pass a DCFS criminal background check and drug screening. · Must be able to provide proof of a medical physical and a negative TB test result. To apply for the position, please include three writing samples that demonstrate your ability to craft compelling narratives. These can include: a donor communication or fundraising appeal, a letter or op-ed written on behalf of an executive or CEO, a story-driven email campaign letter, or other relevant materials such as press release or annual report content.

Responsibilities

The Director of Communications will lead strategy, storytelling, and brand visibility for One Family Illinois, overseeing the Communications Team and enhancing the organization's public presence. This role includes developing communication strategies, managing campaigns, and producing content to drive donor engagement and support fundraising goals.