Marketing and Communications Manager

General Purpose. This is a salaried, exempt, and full-time position with benefits.Under general direction from the Village Administrator, the Marketing and Communications Manager (MCM) serves as the chief consultant to all Village Departments for the development, maintenance, and implementation of effective current and long-range communication and marketing policies, plans, and practices. The MCM will lead all aspects of internal and external media relations for the Village and will represent the Village government in a variety of public contexts. Additionally, the MCM serves as the Village’s Public Information Officer.

Supervision Received. This position reports to the Village Administrator.

Supervision Exercised. The MCM exercises general supervision over all Village communication and marketing efforts. During an emergency or public safety incident, the MCM will be responsible for supervising and coordinating all Village communication and information distribution, as well as coordinating the work of all employees assigned communication or media relation functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities. The items below are illustrative, but not limited to, the position:

1. Serve as the Village’s spokesperson and public information officer.

2. Discern and compellingly covey the Village’s story utilizing the Village’s unique voice.

3. Design and implement communication programs and marketing plans that positively promote the Village’s vision, goals, and activities to residents, developers, and community stakeholders.

4. Manage the Village’s digital and social media platforms, utilizing data analytics to focus communication efforts to the appropriate audience. Discern the appropriate social media channels that the Village should and make recommendations for use and cadence.

5. Lead all aspects of media relations, including preparing elected officials and department representatives to appropriately convey the Village’s message. Provide media coaching to staff and elected officials, as needed.

6. Conduct media interviews as appropriate.

7. Analyze media coverage and maintain awareness on issues of relevance to the Village.

8. Evaluate and enhance formal and informal channels of information to minimize non-productive practices of information flow; to reduce the dissemination of inaccurate information; and to maximize timely and relevant information flow.

9. Lead media projects and assignments; coordinate news conferences; develop and issue press releases, fact sheets, and other informational materials.

10. Assist with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) responses.

11. Write and edit communication materials using a style that is engaging, concise, and appropriate in tone for the audience. This includes utilizing various appropriate and professional writing styles and communications methods to effectively convey messages across generational and socioeconomic spheres of influence.

12. Ensure accuracy of information and perform effective quality control over outgoing products.

13. Develop messages appropriate for a variety of subjects and diverse audiences.

14. Operate within approved budgets and deadlines established for various publications by following an established production schedule.

15. Respond during emergencies to provide essential information to the public.

16. Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in the release of information.

17. Think creatively to produce new ideas and concepts for the Village’s marketing communications including posters, brochures, signage, banners, flyers, bookmarks, website graphics, and other graphics and artwork.

18. Attend various Village events to capture, and subsequently edit, photos and videos.

19. Develop intentional and authentic relationships with media outlets; community stakeholders; and business resources to communicate and clarify Village policies and actions.

20. Perform all other duties that the Village Administrator may from time to time direct, as it relates to communication, marketing, or public information operations.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Must possess, and subsequently maintain, a valid Illinois driver’s license.

2. Must possess the ability to strictly maintain confidential information.

3. Bachelor’s degree in advertising, public administration, business administration, communications, marketing, English, journalism, public relations, or a related discipline.

4. Two (2) years of directly related experience in media relations; communications; marketing; content development; or public relations.

5. Prior completion of, or the ability to complete within 6 months of hiring, the following courses:

a. IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System

b. IS-200.C: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response

c. IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

d. IS-800.D: An Introduction to the National Response Framework

e. IS-29.A: Public Information Officer Awareness

f. IS-42.A: Social Media in Emergency Management

g. IS-242.C: Effective Communication

6. Must be able to work flexible hours and to respond to emergencies within 15 minutes of notification.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in advertising, public administration, business administration, communications, marketing, English, journalism, public relations, or a related discipline.

2. Five (5) years of directly related experience in media relations; communications; marketing; content development; or public relations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of:

a. Applicable Illinois laws and protocols including, but not limited to, media literacy; expectations of privacy; photo release and video recording disclaimers; copyright and intellectual property laws; and Illinois’ Sunshine Laws (Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act).

b. The principles, methods, and operations of marketing, promotions, and media buys.

2. Skill in:

a. Strong interpersonal communications skills.

b. The proper and effective use of the English language including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.

c. Composing news stories, articles, press releases, reports, and letters concerning Village activities and operations.

d. Copywriting, copyediting, graphic design, layout, and publishing.

e. The effective use of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Lightroom, Premiere Pro), and e-mail marketing systems.

f. Content management systems, HTML coding, and digital graphics production.

g. Effectively utilizing social media platforms and social media marketing.

3. Ability to:

a. Synthesize while effectively articulating and presenting, complex information and ideas appropriately to diverse audiences in a variety of forums.

b. Handle a variety of issues with tact and diplomacy and in a confidential manner.

c. Handle stressful situations.

d. Recognize and analyze complex and politically sensitive situations and to develop effective and creative solutions.

e. Recognize opportunities for innovative approaches to public and media relations.

f. Write detailed or technical reports of all findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on a thorough analysis and interpretation of data for presentation to others.

g. Work independently and as both a leader and member of a team.

h. Organize and manage multiple priorities, tasks, and appointments within specified time frames with minimum supervision.

i. Communicate effectively and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

j. Determine a story’s emphasis; gather and verify news information through interviews, observation, and research; and present stories suitable for publication.

Tools and Equipment Used. Personal computer, including the Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud Suite; cameras; video cameras; mobile and desk phones; and fax and copy machine.

Physical Demands. Work is performed in office settings and out in the community. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in both indoor and outdoor environments. Ambient indoor noise is generally and moderately quiet. Outdoor noise will depend on the event and event location.

Disclaimer. The physical demand and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while successfully performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Village and employee and is subject to change as the needs of the Village and the requirements of the job change.Examples of duties listed in this position description are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omissions of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similarly related or a logical assignment to the position.Each employee’s position description is maintained as part of their personnel file. Additional copies of position descriptions may be requested through the employee’s Department Head or from the Office of Management and Budget.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Savoy, IL 61874 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $55,000 - $75,000