What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Associate (comms organizer) position at Live Free Illinois?
Position: Communications Associate
Reports to: Director of Communications and Development
Organizational Overview
The mission of LIVE FREE Illinois is to address violence against the black community and to create racial and economic justice in Illinois, by engaging people in public life to translate faith into action and to overcome barriers to opportunities in low-income communities, including mass incarceration, police violence and gun violence.
Position Overview
The Communications Associate will develop and manage the organization’s communications strategy across all platforms, including social media, website, and media relations.
Responsibilities- Contribute to the development of LFI’s digital organizing and fundraising strategy
- Amplify the work of field organizers, leaders, clergy and staff through meetings and online engagement strategies
- Staff events to manage on-site communications strategy and ensure immediate broadcasting of event to the organization’s audiences
- Serve as primary manager of all of the organization’s social media platforms, which include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn
- Compose content for LFI’s social media platforms
- Track followers and engagement growth for all of LFI’s social media accounts
- Assist campaigns and programs in maximizing their online presence through strategies and content development
- Work to increase online brand awareness and engagement for LFI
- Assist in the execution of rapid response social media
- Engage with followers on social media
- Research and recommend new platforms to increase the organization’s online presence
- Work with communications consultants and contractors to drive messaging and develop communication strategies for Live Free Illinois
- Compile lists of LFI’s media coverage once per week and upload links to the website
- Regularly update and maintain organization’s website
- Create content including, but not limited to, photography, emails, newsletters, graphics, videos, and digital toolkits for LFI and the organization’s programs
- Participate in weekly staff meetings
- Help maintain and enforce editorial and design style guidelines
- Reply to online inquiries as needed
- Scale to Win
- Use text tools as communication strategies and updates
- Support digital projects as assigned by Director of Development and Communications or Executive Director
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree is required
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Creative, organized and detail-oriented
- Must be a proactive self-starter
- Ability to handle multiple projects at once, keep up with the 24-hour news cycle, and work quickly and accurately
- Flexibility with work schedule
- Effective communicator and problem solver
- The ability to work independently but also as a team player with a positive attitude
- Being able to meet tight deadlines
- Strong skills in social media, Meltwater, Salsa Engage, Microsoft Office applications, new mode, and Google Apps
- Relevant prior communications and digital experience (job or internship)
- Digital organizing experience is preferred
- Graphic design and HTML experience are preferred
- Videography experience is preferred
Live Free Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of those we serve.