Sr. Manager, Communications and Development
Time Commitment: Full Time (40 hours/week)
Compensation: $60,000-70,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience
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. We envision a Chicagoland in which Black LGBTQ+ people are safe, resourced, empowered, liberated, and flourishing.
The Role
The Senior Manager of Communications and Development is responsible for overseeing all marketing and communications and development for Lighthouse Foundation, including, but not limited to, social media presence, digital advertising, website maintenance, graphic design, email marketing, creating fundraising goals, cross-departmental collaboration, and reporting processes that align organization-wide strategic plan and program needs. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, continually evolving workplace where last-minute pivots are required. They are also an experienced nonprofit leader, proactive problem solver and future-oriented thinker. This position is primarily remote, with occasional attendance at some in-person meetings and events required.
Responsibilities
Communications (50%)
Oversees communications contractors
Hire contract photographers/videographers for Lighthouse Foundation events as needed
Make regular postings to all Lighthouse Foundation social media channels
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok
Reshare posts/stories that mention Lighthouse Foundation as needed
Conceptualize value-adding campaigns for programming and initiatives
Create digital ads to promote programming
Create regular Lighthouse Foundation newsletter emails via Brevo
Order print marketing materials as needed, including flyers, business cards, posters, and signage for events
Create QR codes and bit.ly URLs as needed
Attend and capture photos and footage of Lighthouse Foundation events as needed
Draft copy for social media captions, newsletters, press releases, and public statements
Craft and ensure consistent communication strategy across the organization in collaboration with other foundation staff members and leaders
Ensure brand consistency in voice, graphics, and messaging
Create an annual communications calendar
Manage executive communications for executive director social media accounts
Leadership & Management (10%)
Supports ED by building funder relationships through face-to-face cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Coordinates with program and finance teams to monitor, evaluate, and prepare reports for corporate, government, and foundation grants
Facilitates the professional growth of the development staff
Develop, improve, and streamline development processes, procedures, and systems
Grant Management (30%)
Prospects new funding partners and funding opportunities
Conceptualizes, writes, and submits grant reports
Prepares and presents twice mid-year and year-end reports to staff and leadership council
Coordinates with ED to expedite grant paperwork processing
Meets with the accountant to manage the production of grant-related documents (i.e., budgets, projections, reconciliations, etc.)
Researches and writes grants as needed
Event Management (5%)
Provide regular updates on registration numbers for upcoming events during weekly staff meetings
Send reminder emails to registrants ahead of events
Document attendance and demographic statistics after each event
Email reminders to the leadership council ahead of monthly meetings
Arrive to events at least an hour prior to help with set up and signage
Website Maintenance (5%)
Responsible for updating the website on a regular basis, including adding new events, announcement banners, headshots, bios, and more
Update the News page with press releases and articles mentioning Lighthouse Foundation
Populate the communications schedule with upcoming social media posts and emails
Populate the internal organization’s calendar with programming
Requirements
Must live in Chicagoland and be available Monday–Friday with some weekends.
A bachelor’s degree in a related field or 5+ years of experience, preferably in a nonprofit focused on racial justice, HIV, or LGBTQ+ issues.
Strong organizational skills, flexibility, and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of or familiarity with Chicago’s Black Southside LGBTQ+ communities and issues
Experience managing teams is preferred
Proficiency in Google Suite, Brevo, Hootsuite, Meta Ads, and other digital tools.
Experience developing and executing marketing, communication, and content strategies.
Experience grant writing and submitting grants across multiple funding types (Foundation, Corporate, Government, etc.)
Excellent storytelling, writing, photography, videography, and editing skills with a strong visual eye for design.
Familiarity with website management, social media, email marketing, video/audio editing, publishing workflows, and analytics.
Ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and collaborate effectively with staff, board members, funders, and community partners.
A proactive, detail-oriented, and solution-driven mindset with a strong ability to adapt and learn new technologies.
Benefits
Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland provides group health, dental, and vision insurance plans to all full-time employees. Details concerning available plans, coverage levels, and premium costs are in the benefit information provided during new hire orientation or available from Human Resources. Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland will cover 80% of the premium for all full-time employees.
A new employee has the option to join the plan on the first day of the following month of employment with Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland. All necessary enrollment forms must be completed by the employee before this date, in order for the enrollment date to remain accurate.
PTO
Lighthouse Foundation values work-life balance as essential to a positive and productive work environment. PTO is unlimited and includes sick leave. Time off must be approved by a supervisor, and PTO should be scheduled to avoid conflicts with work responsibilities.
How to Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter for this position to jobs@lightfoundchi.org. The deadline to apply is December 31st with special consideration given to applicants who apply sooner. Black LGBTQ+ applicants are encouraged to apply. Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland is an equal opportunity employer; all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
