Marketing and Communications Manager

Open Books seeks an enthusiastic team player passionate about literacy in the City of Chicago to serve as its Marketing and Communications Manager. The Marketing and Communications Manager will be responsible for growing Open Books mission and impact storytelling, brand, program, and community visibility. Through development and implementation of creative marketing strategies, they will support growth of financial support through our advancement and retail efforts. They will support and ensure the cohesion of Open Books’ brand identity and visibility as well as collaborate cross-departmentally to support all aspects of Open Books marketing and communications needs through design, development, and coordination of digital and print communications and collateral materials. They will join a team of 29 staff members who seek to transform lives through reading, writing, and the unlimited power of books.

The Marketing and Communications Manager reports to the Director of Development and Communications.

Core Responsibilities

Marketing and Communications

• In partnership with the Director of Development and Communications, develop and implement an annual marketing and communications plan along with marketing and communications strategies, pairing key stakeholders and communities with the appropriate engagement strategies through and in alignment with Open Books values of equity, inclusivity, and authentic storytelling.
• Manage all Open Books’ social media platforms and channels through content creation and curation.
• Manage online community lists and audience segmentation through Constant Contact.
• Support development of mission and impact communication materials for Open Books staff and boards; In partnership with the Director of Development and Communications, support training of Open Books staff in delivery and communication of Open Books’ stories, mission, and impact.
• Manage media partnerships and requests; develop media related materials including press releases and pitch decks.
• Ensure translation of print and digital marketing materials (Spanish and other priority languages) as needed.
• Design, populate, and disseminate newsletters.

Graphic Design and Website Management

• Develop graphic design concepts to ensure cohesion of brand identity.
• Design fundraising materials for appeals, book drives, and fundraising events.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally to develop marketing materials which support our programs and retail spaces including, but not limited to, one-pagers and other informational pieces related to Open Books programs, events, stores, and initiatives.
• Manage the Open Books website.

Data and Evaluation

• Support the development, design, and distribution of the annual report.
• Create reports for Open Books marketing and communications channels and support evaluation of engagement data.
• Design quarterly impact reports and other impact reports, as needed.

Management and Leadership

• Support hiring, onboarding, and training of new staff.
• Serve as a member of the Directors and Managers team, helping to drive organizational strategy and organization-wide efforts, and act as an advisor to the Director of Development and Communications.
• Support organizational expectations, efforts, initiatives, processes, and training regarding DEAI.
• Serve as a representative of Open Books at internal and external meetings and presentations.
• Actively participate in professional development to grow leadership skills.
• Help ensure the overall health, vitality, and positive morale of Open Books.
• Uphold and regularly demonstrate the core values of Open Books: Accountability, Collaboration, Empowerment, Ingenuity, and Respect.

Role Requirements:

• 5 years' experience in developing effective and successful marketing and communications campaigns and strategies.
• Passion for promoting literacy and empowering children, their families, caregivers, and communities.
• Ability to work independently and hold self accountable for deadlines and deliverables, especially related to scheduling and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Passion for and experience in authentic storytelling of children, families, and communities of Chicago.
• Ingenuity in developing and executing marketing strategies, systems, solutions to challenges, and meeting the needs of stakeholders.
• Creativity in developing compelling design work to help tell Open Books’ story to various stakeholders via spoken, written, and visual representation.
• Expert use of graphic design software including Adobe, Canva, and other graphic design software.
• Excellent command of marketing software and platforms such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, etc.
• Experience in website management and content development.
• Ability to take initiative and hold a solution-minded approach to challenges.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate across organizational departments with respect.
• Proficiency in various technology platforms, including Google Suite (i.e., Gmail, Drive, Forms, Docs, Sheets).
• Detail orientation, especially related to scheduling and managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Preferred: Spanish
• Preferred: experience using CRM software (Salesforce, Neon, etc.)
• Preferred: background in developing funding campaigns

Work Environment:

• Hybrid: in-person work at various Open Books locations and work from home
• 40 hour work week with some weekend or evening availability required for community and
  fundraising events.
• Attendance required at special retail and program events including Independent Bookstore Day (April) and Printers Row Lit Fest (September), Open Books Slide Into Summer (June) and Lit Fest (August).
• Occasional off site work at our other locations
• Family-friendly and flexible atmosphere
• Opportunities for professional development and growth