Communications Manager

Position Overview

At the administrative direction of the Director of Public Affairs, serves as the Communications Manager for the Department of Human Rights (DHR) Office of Public Affairs. Ideal candidates will have experience in integrated communications, media relations, social media and digital communications, website communications, communications strategy, and driving a message around policies, programming, and public services. The successful candidate will bring curiosity, critical thinking, empathy and excellent written/verbal presentation skills, while demonstrating a proven track record in strategic communications, with at least 3-6 years of experience in communications and media relations.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position)
• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)
• 13-14 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Essential Functions

• Formulate the policies and guidelines and then create clear, compelling narratives across multiple channels (e.g., press releases, social media, publications, email, website) to inform and educate Illinoisans on agency updates and human rights.
• Develops, manages, and implements a social media plan and calendar under the administrative direction of the Director of Public Affairs and executive staff to highlight programming, services, and announcements.
• Works collaboratively with the Director of Public Affairs and executive staff to review and revise website writing and content for information accessibility, plain language use, and search engine optimization (SEO).
• Assist the Director of Public Affairs in the development and execution of internal and external reports, to include the IDHR annual report.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college, preferably with coursework in communications, public affairs/relations, media relations, journalism, marketing, digital communications, or related.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public, non-profit, or business organization with at least three (3) years of that experience in communications, marketing, social media, digital communications, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers 2 years of strong writing and editing experience, including drafting press releases, statements, reports, and digital content.
• Prefers 2 years of experience using strong verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate and communicate well with executive staff.
• Prefers 2 years of experience in integrated communications that use multiple channels, including PR and social media, to reach target audiences.
• Prefers 2 years of experience managing social media content creation, posting, engagement, and analytics.
• Prefers 2 years of experience using using graphic design tools such as Canva and the Adobe Creative Suite and brand guidelines to create compelling visual content for social media and digital communications.
• Prefers 2 years of experience and proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and working knowledge of web development platforms such as Microsoft SharePoint, Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), or similar.
• Prefers 1 year of experience using email marketing platforms such as Mail Chimp, Constant Contact, or similar and working knowledge of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies and web data analysis tools such as Google Analytics.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of job duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Illinois Department of Human Rights

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (“IDHR”) is a state agency charged with the enforcement of the Illinois Human Rights Act ("Act").  The Act prohibits unlawful discrimination in Illinois with respect to employment, real estate transactions, financial credit, and public accommodations (including education).  IDHR protects and guarantees the rights of all Illinoisans to be free from unlawful discrimination by receiving and investigating claims of unlawful discrimination.  Moreover, the Act prohibits retaliation against a person who has opposed that which is reasonably and in good faith believed to be unlawful discrimination; prohibits the aiding, abetting, compelling or coercion of a person to commit a violation of the Act; and prohibits the willful interference with the performance of a duty or the exercise of a power by the Department or one of its officers or employees.  At the forefront of protecting civil rights, IDHR welcomes all candidates for employment to apply for any position for which they are qualified.  Join IDHR in its mission to secure an Illinois free from discrimination.