Jobs

Looking to join Lighthouse Foundation? Become a part of an exciting and growing organization that’s doing meaningful work for Black LGBTQ+ Chicagoans.

DIrector of Communications

$50/hour, 15 hours/week

Hybrid remote, must live in Chicagoland area, 6-month contract with possibility of extension

THE ORGANIZATION

Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland is a Black LGBTQ+ led, multiracial social justice organization that advances justice for Black LGBTQ+ people across Chicagoland through empowerment, education, and entertainment. Since LF’s founding in July 2019, we have forged collaborations with 25 partner organizations, planned 88 events with 4,00 participants, and launched the nation’s first Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI). LF is a small but rapidly growing organization which is poised for growth over the next year.


THE ROLE

Lighthouse Foundation seeks a Director of Communications to lead outreach and marketing strategies to further our mission. Reporting to the ED, you will increase the visibility and reputation of our organization, events, and the Black Queer Equity Index. You will also support the professional development of the Manager of Communications and help other teams in the organization to improve and extend those teams’ outreach efforts and capacities. The ideal candidate is an adaptive self-starter who enjoys working as part of a team and is growth-oriented. This will be a 6-month contract with a strong possibility of extension. This is a contract part-time role, 15 hours per week at a rate of $50 per hour. The ideal candidate must live in the Chicagoland area. 

Strategy (20%)

  • Design and execute a year-round communications campaign that articulates the mission, work, and impact of LF to donors, volunteers, program participants, and other external stakeholders.

  • Develop and oversee the execution of content strategies that surface and collect stories and evidence of LF’s impact.

  • Develop actionable goals that expand LF’s audience and develop messaging and media relations.

  • Concretely expand our social media presence and increase our social media following in measurable ways across our various channels, including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and TikTok, through organic and paid marketing campaigns

  • Oversee and expand the Executive Director’s social media presence in alignment with the mission and vision of Lighthouse Foundation. 

Writing (60%)

  • Create presentations, monitor and update LF’s website and social media account, and prepare mass emails.

  • Review and edit LF written materials.

  • Support with writing, reviewing, and editing grant proposals.

  • Develop video and audio products, thought leadership pieces, and annual reports.

  • Create event and membership recruitment materials, fundraising appeals, speeches, and talking points.

Management & Support (20%)

  • Oversee the work of the Communications Manager.

  • Manages project-specific contractors.

  • Provide coaching, advice, and editorial support to other staff on storytelling, content collection, spoken, written and visual communications. 

  • Oversee marketing and communications budgets. 

  • Develop mechanisms to assess the impact of LF’s marketing and communications efforts.

  • Build relationships with press entities to further the presence of Lighthouse Foundation’s work.

  • Attend and support LF events

REQUIREMENTS

  • Lives in the Chicagoland area

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ years of experience or 7+ years of experience in a similar role, preferably for a nonprofit focusing on racial justice, HIV, or LGBTQ+ issues.

  • Experience in developing and executing marketing, communication, and content strategies. 

  • Excellent public speaking, messaging, storytelling, writing, and editing skills.

  • Strong visual eye and graphic design skills.

  • Extensive experience with specific skills in website, email, social media, video and audio editing, graphic design, publishing/content workflows, content management, and social media analytics a plus, with a strong ability to learn new communications technologies.

  • Capacity to simultaneously work on multiple tasks and projects and set priorities.

  • Ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders, including staff and board, network members, external partners, philanthropists, funders, and thought leaders.

  • Ability to identify, negotiate, hire, and manage outside vendors, including designers, videographers, writers, photographers, and others.

  • Proactive, detail-oriented, and solution-oriented with a mindset to identify and pursue opportunities.


HOW TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter for this position to admin@lightfoundchi.org. The deadline to apply is February 28, with special consideration given to applicants who apply sooner. BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ applicants are encouraged to apply