MacArthur Foundation
Communications Manager, Lever for Change
MacArthur Foundation, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Lever for Change connects donors with bold solutions to the world's biggest problems-including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change. Using an inclusive, equitable model and due diligence process, Lever for Change creates customized challenges and other tailored funding opportunities. Top-ranked teams and challenge finalists become members of the Bold Solutions Network-a growing global network that helps secure additional funding, amplify members' impact, and accelerate social change. Founded in 2019 as a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lever for Change has influenced over $2.2 billion in grants to date and provided support to more than 175 organizations. To learn more, visit www.leverforchange.org.
The Communications Manager provides a wide range of strategic support to the Lever for Change team and high-profile clients. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, hard-working professional to join a philanthropic start-up, and help grow the organization's reputation, reach and impact.
Job Description
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Deliver high-performance communications results in service of the organization's mission, vision, values, and strategiesCollaborate with other teams to create, execute, and support high-quality services for clients and partnersCo-create and implement strategic plans for key moments in competition cyclesManage projects across teams and departments to ensure high quality client service and internal alignment in delivering servicesImplement tactics to engage and activate key audiencesCreate, edit, and publish excellent written products, including press releases, web and social media content, op-eds, talking points, briefings, and newslettersDevelop internal materials, including memos, reports, materials, and presentationsAlign and update messaging to ensure consistent use throughout materialsBuild relationships with press, pitch stories, and respond to media inquiriesCreate and manage domestic and international media listsCreate and manage organization-wide content calendar to ensure alignment with Lever for Change goalsManage social media platforms and advance digital strategiesWork with designers and other vendors to support the creation of high-level marketing communications materials, including videos and publicationsManage daily relationships with marketing and communications service providersOther Duties and Responsibilities:
Keep abreast of current events, as well as developments and issues in the fields of communications and philanthropyWrite extensively for internal purposesPerform other duties as assignedQualifications:
Minimum 5 years of experience in strategic communications, preferably for social impactExperience working with the nonprofit sector and understanding of philanthropy's role desiredExperience working in client-facing role desiredExceptional communications skills, both written and verbalSignificant experience writing and talking about social impactHigh-level project management skills in cross-functional roles essentialDemonstrated skill and comfort building relationships with reporters and editors, and successfully promoting content with the media to achieve high-impact placementsEffective communicator with excellent interpersonal skillsPositive "can-do" attitude and a willingness to do what is necessary to get the job doneWell-developed organizational skills and attention to detailAble to take initiative and work proactivelyTrustworthy, diplomatic, and respectful; committed to excellence, with a collaborative workstyleDemonstrated understanding of and commitment to social justice issuesPreferred Qualifications:
BA/BS in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or equivalentStrategic, creative thinker who can work under time pressure with competing priorities
The position is based in Chicago, Illinois.
Annual salary for this for role will start at $120,700.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
The work environment is an office setting. Intermittent physical activities will include bending, reaching, sitting, and moving around the office during working hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.
The Communications Manager provides a wide range of strategic support to the Lever for Change team and high-profile clients. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, hard-working professional to join a philanthropic start-up, and help grow the organization's reputation, reach and impact.
Job Description
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Deliver high-performance communications results in service of the organization's mission, vision, values, and strategiesCollaborate with other teams to create, execute, and support high-quality services for clients and partnersCo-create and implement strategic plans for key moments in competition cyclesManage projects across teams and departments to ensure high quality client service and internal alignment in delivering servicesImplement tactics to engage and activate key audiencesCreate, edit, and publish excellent written products, including press releases, web and social media content, op-eds, talking points, briefings, and newslettersDevelop internal materials, including memos, reports, materials, and presentationsAlign and update messaging to ensure consistent use throughout materialsBuild relationships with press, pitch stories, and respond to media inquiriesCreate and manage domestic and international media listsCreate and manage organization-wide content calendar to ensure alignment with Lever for Change goalsManage social media platforms and advance digital strategiesWork with designers and other vendors to support the creation of high-level marketing communications materials, including videos and publicationsManage daily relationships with marketing and communications service providersOther Duties and Responsibilities:
Keep abreast of current events, as well as developments and issues in the fields of communications and philanthropyWrite extensively for internal purposesPerform other duties as assignedQualifications:
Minimum 5 years of experience in strategic communications, preferably for social impactExperience working with the nonprofit sector and understanding of philanthropy's role desiredExperience working in client-facing role desiredExceptional communications skills, both written and verbalSignificant experience writing and talking about social impactHigh-level project management skills in cross-functional roles essentialDemonstrated skill and comfort building relationships with reporters and editors, and successfully promoting content with the media to achieve high-impact placementsEffective communicator with excellent interpersonal skillsPositive "can-do" attitude and a willingness to do what is necessary to get the job doneWell-developed organizational skills and attention to detailAble to take initiative and work proactivelyTrustworthy, diplomatic, and respectful; committed to excellence, with a collaborative workstyleDemonstrated understanding of and commitment to social justice issuesPreferred Qualifications:
BA/BS in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or equivalentStrategic, creative thinker who can work under time pressure with competing priorities
The position is based in Chicago, Illinois.
Annual salary for this for role will start at $120,700.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
The work environment is an office setting. Intermittent physical activities will include bending, reaching, sitting, and moving around the office during working hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.