The Marketing and Communications Manager provides the primary direction for the planning and implementation of marketing and communications strategies by enhancing the visibility of the District through various media outlets and local organizations. The position requires flexible hours including evenings and weekends, as needed.

If offered the position, the applicant is required to complete the District’s Employment Application and successfully pass a physical examination, drug screening, criminal background check and driver’s exam.

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Oversees the creation of three Park District program guides annually by working with contracted and hourly graphic designers and staff to ensure work is completed on time.  Responsibilities include:  writing copy, editing, layout and design, text format, cover art, and coordinating the production schedule with staff and the printer.


• Oversees the creation of flyers, posters, advertisements, and other promotional print and digital materials publicizing programs and events for the district and media.


• Responsible for District branding and adherence of branding as well as disseminating branding information to all District staff.


• Responsible for creating and delivering routine, special and emergency notifications to residents via all District outlets including, but not limited to social media and the district website. The Marketing and Communications Manager may be called upon to be available after hours for emergency notifications or must delegate urgent communications to the Marketing Specialist in his/her absence to push to the public.   


• Writes award applications and articles for NRPA, IAPD, and IPRA.


• Develop proposals to solicit sponsorships and negotiate sponsorship agreements to meet District objectives


• Create sponsorship materials, including letters, proposals, budgets, and presentations


• Meet with potential sponsors/partners to formulate partnerships and agreements


• Lead communication trainings, public speaking for staff and the Board.


• Recommends policies additions and changes related to public communications and social media use


• Participates in park district networking by attending meetings and events


• Works with the state and local representatives to advocate for policies that benefit the park district and community


• Attends board meetings and composes a monthly board report.  


• Writes press releases to local media publicizing news, programs and events.


• Promotes District news and events/programs through email marketing and District registration software, including Park Paths community email newsletter monthly.


• Manages District website including content, photos, layout and statistics.  Respond to emails generated through the website. Retrieve and analyze web statistics through Google Analytics.


• Prepare annual budget projections and monitor revenue and expenses for   applicable areas of responsibility.


• Responsible for working with staff to determine marketing strategies for key District projects, recreational programs, services and special events. The Marketing and Communications Manager is ultimately responsible for the execution of these strategies.


• Informs schools, the Village, Chamber, community groups, residents, and other local organizations about Park District programs.  Creates Park District Pointers for District 73 schools on a monthly basis while school is in session.


• Develops marketing campaigns for print, radio, TV, and digital formats.  Work closely with media managers for ad design, copy, frequency and on-site personnel at events.


• Reports on the District’s communication efforts to the Board and staff.


• Coordinates and designs trade show displays including Parks Day at the Capitol and other displays for special projects. Responsible for ordering District giveaways.


• Works with various vendors for special projects including District signage, nametags, and displays.


• Train, and supervise Marketing Specialist in his/her assigned duties.  Prepare written performance evaluation at least once per year.


• Must maintain a level of understanding and ability to perform Marketing Specialist’s duties. The Marketing and Communications Manager must cross train responsibilities with Marketing Specialist to support a general understanding and knowledge of each other’s tasks, especially in the event that one person is not able or available to fulfil their role. 


• Works with the Marketing Specialist to cover all photography needs of the district by attending special events, programs and photography in the parks.

SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT

• Maintain working knowledge of District and departmental safety rules.


• Attend required safety meetings and in-service trainings.


• Follow the Risk Management Manual, Emergency Response Plan, and OSHA compliance policies.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Must work closely with Executive Director, co-workers, Park Commissioners, community leaders, business leader, and the general public.


• Frequent deadlines.


• May feel pressure from dealing with public to resolve issues.

PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel and is required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms.


• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.


• Lift objects up to 40 lbs.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Work is predominantly indoors in a well-ventilated, well-lit office.

COGNITIVE CONSIDERATIONS

• Employee must have the ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing


• The ability to read, write, and organize materials


• Employee must possess time management and organizational skills to effectively perform his/her job


• Able to follow directions - oral and written

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements and working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job when circumstances change; e.g., emergencies, deadlines, personnel changes, workload and technological development, etc.