Northern Illinois Food Bank

Position Description:  Director of Communications

Place in Organization:  Reports to President & CEO

Purpose:

To support Northern Illinois Food Bank’s mission of feeding hungry neighbors by growing resources and increasing awareness in the community. Responsibilities include management of food bank brand, media and public relations, online communications (including website and social media), and the food bank’s print and media library.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, develop and implement Communications plan. Continuously update and revise to ensure ever-changing needs of the food bank are met. 
• Develop and oversee organization branding, ensuring food bank brand is used in a manner that is within the mission of the organization, and that use is consistent across the organization.
• Develop, cultivate and manage relationships with local media outlets to promote the food bank and our initiatives.
• Respond to media requests and accompany media as appropriate.   Coordinate logistics for production crews/newspapers covering food bank initiatives.
• Represent food bank in TV broadcast or through interviews with newspapers.
• Write, edit, proof read, format and distribute press materials including media advisories, new releases, public service announcements, and feature articles.
• Create a plan for, and oversee the development of organizational advertising.
• Working together with Online Fundraising Manager, oversee website content development and research topics for inclusion. 
• Working together with Online Fundraising Manager, determine communication strategy for Facebook and other online social and news media sources.
• Manage government affairs and advocacy.
• Work together with Philanthropy team to manage Convio, our online giving program.
• Oversee food bank publications, including fact sheets, brochures, the food bank’s quarterly newsletter The Full Plate, and the annual report.
• Develop messaging for the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications Include:

• Bachelors Degree in communications, journalism or related area.
• A minimum of ten years public/media relations experience, including management of a team.
• Experience in selecting, negotiating with, and managing outside vendors.
• Proven track record of working effectively with print and broadcast media to promote news coverage of events, initiatives, causes etc.
• Proven effectiveness in the development of strategic work plans. 
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills
• Proven ability to write and edit news releases and other communication materials with tight deadlines.
• Experience with website editing and posting and use of social media.
• Strong relationship building skills.
• Proficient with various computer programs including – Word, Outlook, Excel, Power  Point and Photoshop.

 

 How to Apply
Send resume and cover letter, along with salary requirements to:

 resumes@northernilfoodbank.org or

Human Resources
Northern Illinois Food Bank
273 Dearborn Court
Geneva, IL 60134

Or via Fax: 630-313-5068

www.solvehungertoday.org

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