Manager of Marketing & Communications

Prairie State Legal Services

Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) is a not-for-profit legal aid organization that provides civil legal services to low-income people, victims of domestic violence, people aged 60 or older, and veterans. PSLS has existed for 40 years and has 12 offices serving 36 counties throughout northern and central Illinois. PSLS focuses services on legal problems that impact the ability of our clients to meet their basic human needs, such as physical safety, access to healthcare, and adequate housing. It is the only legal aid organization in the majority of its service area. PSLS has a staff of approximately 150 and over 400 community attorneys volunteering their time and legal expertise. The PSLS Administrative Office is located in Rockford, Illinois. PSLS’s annual budget of $13 million is largely supported by federal and state grants. The organization has excellent fiscal controls and is rated a 4-Star Charity by Charity Navigator. More information is available on our website at www.pslegal.org.

http://www.pslegal.org


Position Details

Manager of Marketing & Communications
Job
Full-time
3/28/2018
Northern Illinois
Rockford, IL

The Manager of Marketing and Communications is a new position for Prairie State and will report to the Director of Development. The Manager of Marketing and Communications will be primarily responsible for creating and implementing a Strategic Communications Plan to further PSLS’s mission of providing equal access to justice for all. This position will establish, implement and assess the effectiveness of a wide range of internal and external communications and media policies, strategies and tools, and will work closely with the Director of Development in developing communications that are accessible, compelling, useful, and targeted to PSLS’ key stakeholders. This position will work in collaboration with the Development Team, members of senior management, and members of local offices to identify opportunities for media and communications.

Travel throughout Prairie State’s 36-county service area will be necessary. While Prairie State’s Administrative Office is located in Rockford, the position could be located in one of our other offices, including McHenry, Rockford, Waukegan, or Wheaton.

The Manager of Marketing and Communications’ tasks will include:

Marketing Communications

  • Oversee design and production of communications materials, including web content, newsletters, press releases, community education items, fundraising appeals, social media postings, annual reports, development brochures, event collateral, award nominations, speech content, and other materials as needed 
  • Maintain a current calendar integrating the materials listed above, including opportunities for external exposure for PSLS such as awards and speaking opportunities 
  • Use communications tools to support advocacy efforts, maintaining and updating document templates as needed 
  • Work with local offices staff, increasing and maintaining consistency in external communications and community education materials 
  • Manage PSLS’s social media accounts and ensure they are up to date and work to support PSLS’s advocacy and fundraising 
  • Work with Directors of Litigation and local office staff to identify publicity opportunities, client stories, and legal issues to promote 
  • Work with Director of Volunteer Services to properly communicate our pro bono and other volunteer programs

Development and Fundraising

  • Collaborate with Development Team to create Development Team calendar and budget 
  • Collaborate with the Development Team to execute appeals: identify topics and format, help to select and serve as point of contact with graphic designer, create accurate mailing lists for paper and digital appeals, serve as point of contact with mail house to ensure timely and accurate production, track and report results in Raiser’s Edge database 
  • Utilize Raiser’s Edge to send e-mail communications to donors

Internal Communications and Strategies

  • Implement a communications plan for staff and volunteers, ensuring that mission, vision, key strategic goals, and leadership team initiatives are communicated appropriately 
  • Ensure that the Strategic Communications Plan is fully integrated with the overall work of the organization 
  • Coordinate with local staff to compile client stories and effectively communicate them throughout the organization 
  • Work to nominate staff, board, and volunteers for prizes and other recognition

Media Relations

  • Identify, establish and maintain collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships with key media outlets, beats and reporters/producers 
  • Expand and maintain PSLS’s media database to include broad range of relevant print, broadcast, and online media outlets and professionals 
  • Serve as key media contact for breaking news and activities and act as key point of contact between press and PSLS advocates, in order to ensure that communications are executed as a part of the strategy 
  • Manage media follow-up on all publications and events in a timely and professional manner 
  • Screen and delegate general media calls 
  • Publicize PSLS in the media through press releases, relationships with reporters, social media and story pitches 
  • Exercise sound judgment when dealing with the press and social media in order to build, maintain and enhance PSLS's important relationships with key audiences 
  • Monitor online and print media daily for relevant material, recommending and assisting with responses when appropriate 
  • Work with local office staff to enhance PSLS’s profile and reach through media opportunities 
  • Identify media training opportunities for staff at all levels to learn to work with the media and social medias as needed for their position

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree required; preferably in communications or related field 
  • 3-5 years of previous non-profit marketing and communications experience preferred 
  • Strong commitment to social justice and the mission of PSLS 
  • Understanding of and experience working within the legal community preferred 
  • The ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality and to exercise sound judgment and diplomacy due to substantial contact with the public and the legal community 
  • Proficient in MS Office, Raiser’s Edge, and Google products preferred 
  • Excellent written and communications skills; outstanding listening skills 
  • Strong project management skills, able to set priorities, work independently and meet deadlines 
  • Knowledge of local media outlets and social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter 
  • Basic graphic design skills

This full-time position offers a competitive salary, based on experience, and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, retirement, training and education, and generous leave.



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