Associate, Digital Communications

The Communications team collaborates with program teams and other colleagues across the Foundation to create and implement strategic communications plans that enhance the impact of MacArthur and its grantees in all fields of work. The team is responsible for the Foundation’s strategic efforts to communicate with the press, public, and policymakers, leading media relations, creating web and social media content, producing grantee stories, and planning public events. The team also provides communications support and advice to MacArthur’s leadership, staff, and grantees.

Team members include the Vice President, Director; three Communications Officers, who lead program communications; three Associates, respectively focused on Web, social media, and writing/research projects; a Content Manager, an Administrator; and outside consultants/firms as needed.

The Associate, Digital Communications ensures accurate, engaging, and impactful representation of the work of the Foundation and its grantees on social media and digital platforms; develops multimedia content; expands the Foundation’s digital footprint; and tracks web and social media analytics.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Builds and strengthens the Foundation’s presence, brand message, and voice on digital platforms by creating and curating content that engages our audiences
• Serves as a strategic partner to Communications Officers, by developing and implementing digital and social media content in support of Foundation programs and grantee news, research, and reports
• Reflects program communications strategies, suggests and develops new content for MacArthur’s digital platforms, including copy, video, GIFs, photographs, etc.
• Cultivates a community of engaged followers on social media
• Engages audiences during virtual and in-person MacArthur and grantee events through the use of live tweeting, live video streaming, etc.
• Writes creative briefs and defines content goals and objectives for initiatives
• Creates and updates analytics reports to track social media efforts, assess outcomes, guide future changes in approach, and drive goals
• Researches new content formats and digital platforms to surface trends and cross-channel opportunities, including audience engagement
• Collaborates with Foundation teams, training and advising Staff on best practices for sharing content on social media
• Handles other responsibilities and projects as assigned

The position is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Qualifications

• Four to seven years of professional experience in social media engagement and digital content creation
• Experience covering and curating live events on multiple platforms is preferred
• An understanding of various social and digital media platforms and trends, preferably in the nonprofit sector
• Effective writer and consistent proofreader
• Advanced photography and video skills
• Well-developed organizational skills and attention to detail
• Able to juggle many projects simultaneously and under tight deadlines
• Creative/entrepreneurial thinking
• Interest in the work of the Foundation and its grantees
• Positive, “can-do” attitude and a willingness to do what is necessary to get the job done

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The work environment is an office setting. Intermittent physical activities will include bending, reaching, sitting, and walking during working hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.