Digital Communications Manager

Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy

Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE), is the leading nongovernmental agency fully committed to funding research in epilepsy. CURE’s mission is to cure epilepsy, transforming and saving millions of lives. We identify and fund cutting-edge research, challenging scientists worldwide to collaborate and innovate in pursuit of this goal.

https://www.cureepilepsy.org


Position Details

Digital Communications Manager
Job
Full-time
12/18/2017
Chicago Illinois
Chicago, IL

Position Summary:

The Digital Communications Manager is responsible for visually communicating CURE’s mission digitally and online, to strengthen CURE’s brand, raise its visibility in the epilepsy landscape, and articulate clear messaging to both internal and external constituencies. They will have ownership of CURE’s online presence, collaborate with all departments, and optimize user experience processes and communications to implement the organization’s communications strategies across all platforms. This position will be responsible for managing and fully leveraging the organization’s impact by designing, developing and executing impactful and compelling content to maximize exposure and increase the visibility, reputation and fundraising potential of CURE.

Key Responsibilities:

Digital

  • Deliver and execute a robust digital and social media strategy to support overarching communications objectives. 
  • Produce and edit high-quality content to publicize our work through a range of digital channels—ensuring that all posts are consistent with CURE’s brand in tone and voice (e.g. Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, email marketing, etc.). 
  • Manage the development and maintenance of a social media content calendar for review and approval process. 
  • Assist with the day-to-day execution of CURE’s overarching communications strategy, and support the Director of Communications in crafting and delivering communications strategies for specific projects across multiple content domains with a focus on digital and social channels. 
  • Research and execute social media best practices on an ongoing basis and create robust content, including video and images, to maximize the use of multiple social media platforms. 
  • Collaborate with all departments to research and develop digital communications ideas and strategies. A strong working relationship with the research and development teams is essential. 
  • Lead the management of CURE’s website, including keeping existing content up to date and working with colleagues to generate new content and build out new, interactive functionality.
  • Create and execute an SEO strategy and A/B testing plan for the website to optimize content and searchability. 
  • Utilize analytics (traffic behavior, users, hits, visitors and downloads) to monitor, analyze, interpret and communicate website traffic, data and usage trends, as well as performance of online e-mail and social media efforts to make recommendations on how to improve the CURE user experience on an ongoing basis; provide reports and analysis as requested.
  • Ensure site experiences are continually optimized to drive user engagement and growth, as well as integrated across CMS and CRM platforms within CURE.
  • Manage email campaigns from start to finish including drafting copy, scheduling, layout, list segmentation and distribution for CURE. 
  • Develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) while driving performance against them.

Communications

  • Produce and edit high-quality written materials to publicize CURE’s work through a range of channels including emails, letters, media alerts, website information, education session descriptions, reports, print collateral, presentation materials. blogs, newsletters, social media campaigns, articles, website entries, brochures and press releases, etc.) 
  • Manage promotion of CURE’s nonprofit and corporate partners through sharing content and announcements. 
  • Ensure the regular evaluation of communications efforts to assess the impact of specific activities in achieving targeted objectives. 
  • Develop and maintain a master editorial calendar of all communication activities, owners and contributors. 
  • Ensure brand consistency with design, functionality and messaging in all collateral, including print and digital media.

Education & Training:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Business Administration or another related field.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years of communications, marketing or digital experience. 
  • Demonstrated experience with a broad range of communication mediums, including social media, digital communications, printed materials, basic web editing software, and familiarity with email and social media management systems. 
  • Solid foundation and hands-on experience in building, implementing and optimizing digital campaigns. 
  • Experience with creating a broad range of communications assets and collateral.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Strong project management skills, ability to juggle multiple tasks (manage multiple priorities within demanding time frames) and think both big picture and be “hands-on” and dive into the details. 
  • Exceptional written, verbal, copywriting and communication skills, with the ability to tailor communications to different audiences. 
  • Strong attention to detail while being able to think strategically and understand the larger vision. 
  • Ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure 
  • Solid working knowledge in general UX design and fundamentals, HTML, and PHP. 
  • Foundational knowledge of website CMS systems (ex: WordPress, Visual Composer 
  • Expert knowledge of CRM platforms integrated into email marketing systems (ex: MailChimp or Constant Contact) 
  • Significant knowledge of social media and online platforms for brands and large communities and how they can be used as part of a broader communications plan to help meet strategic goals.
  • Knowledge of digital analytics platforms such as Google Analytics, Hootsuite, Buffer. 
  • Expert-level knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and web applications. 
  • Familiarity with (and willingness to develop skill in) Photoshop, Illustrator, MS PowerPoint, and video editing software. 
  • Expert multitasking skills and superior attention to detail 
  • Ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research to create more informed and targeted marketing campaigns and create reporting dashboards 
  • Experience working with and managing external contractors. 
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with rapidly changing technology.
  • Familiarity of current culture and industry trends with solid digital knowhow across multimedia campaigns. 
  • Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences including top stakeholders, board members, researchers, the epilepsy community and supporters.

Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision and Life, 403(b), PTO, Sick Leave, Paid Holiday’s and more.


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