Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Chicago, IL
Position Summary:
The Communications Director reports to the VP of Communications and works collaboratively with Chicagoland Chamber/Chamber Foundation/Chamber PAC staff, the Board of Directors, members, and external stakeholders in setting and guiding the strategy for all communications, website and public relations messages and collateral to consistently articulate the mission and messaging of the organization. This position will facilitate the creation of best practices, strategies and execution plans for leveraging all communication platforms, including digital, social media, direct marketing and public relations.
Externally, this position will ensure that the Chamber is viewed as the primary source, disseminator and conduit of information within its diverse network and constituent base, including the Chicagoland business and civic community, media, and other interested parties, communicating public policy and advocacy efforts, education and though-leadership programs and other events, and sharing member news and success stories.
Duties and Responsibilities:Develop and maintain the overall marketing schedule and individual department communications work plans.
- Put communications vehicles in place to create momentum and awareness as well as test the effectiveness of communications vehicles.
- Manage the content development, distribution and maintenance of all print and electronic collateral including, but not limited to
- Marketing collateral: flyers, brochures, postcards, letters
- Website: landing pages, event pages, news items for Chamber and Foundation, including CBLN microsite
- E-marketing and Newsletters
- Manage info@ email address
- Track and measure the level of engagement within the network over time, including but not limited to regular metrics based reports for senior management team
- Manage and collaborate with outside video production teams and photographers on Chamber videos and event photos
- Manage vendors to coordinate direct marketing projects and initiatives
- Utilize the Chamber’s communication platform for the following:
- Track email and website metrics
- Execute e-marketing campaigns
- Create and send post-event surveys
- Develop and maintain forms
- Manage email subscription center
- Upload and manage marketing lists
- Prepare press releases and media advisories – business, public policy/advocacy, thought leadership, civic leadership
- Develop and prepare targeted story pitches, op-eds, letters to the editor
- Cultivate medial relationships and manage media contacts– traditional (print & broadcast), online (digital and new media)
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Minimum 3 years communications experience, ideally in an “in-house” leadership role within a complex (number and variety of constituents) organization, and covering areas such as media/PR, website content, newsletter and members/sponsor/donor communications.
- Ability to take knowledge and transform it into exciting and useful messages, and disseminate it to the right audiences through the best distribution channels is critical.
- Experience with Wordpress and other content management systems
- Excellent writing/editing and verbal communications skills with ability to alternate between styles and tones
- Highly collaborative style, ability to work as a team member in a matrixed environment
- High energy, maturity and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and position communications discussion at both the strategic and tactical levels
- Self-starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial, enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives
Additional Salary Information: Salary commensurate with experience and peer non-profits.
About Chicagoland Chamber of CommerceServing as "The Voice of Business" since 1904, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is considered one of the most influential business associations in the nation and has created our region's most powerful network. The primary role of the Chamber is to make Chicagoland the most business-friendly region in America. The Chamber leads public policy and business growth initiatives and we create meaningful events and programs to inform, engage, and connect our members to each other and the community. Visit www.chicagolandchamber.org.