Description:
EMBRACING ABILITIES. EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES.
At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two – often interconnecting - pillars of work……early learning and disability. Through these pillars, we transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit healthcare organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936.
For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.
The Vice President of Communications and Operations will be responsible for a) the creation and implementation of Easterseals internal and external communication strategy, b) the development and fundraising strategy and implementation, and c) oversight of Information Technology (IT) and facilities management, including Easterseals owned facilities as well as oversight of the lease spaces used by Easterseals programs. The Vice President of Communications and Operations will develop a high-quality and strategic communications plan for Easterseals, directly managing communications activities that promote, enhance, and protect the organization's brand reputation including media relations, website and social media, overseeing communications staff and contractors as appropriate.
The Vice President of Communications and Operations will be responsible for the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of public relations activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of the organization and its leadership. The Vice President will lead the strategy for fundraising and development activities, including the oversight of foundation grants, individual philanthropy, and events. The Vice President will also oversee a portion of the operations of the organization, with a focus on IT and facilities management. Given the breadth of their position, the individual will build a strong partnership and relationships with a wide and diverse set of stakeholders including the Board of Directors, donors, leaders, staff, contractors, families, clients, funders, the media, and partner organizations.
This position is headquartered at Easterseals Chicago Location at 1939 W 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608.
MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Communications Strategy, Vision and Execution:
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Develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance Easterseals brand identity; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences.
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Create a marketing/public relations strategy that will allow Easterseals leadership to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers.
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Serve as communications counselor to Easterseals leadership.
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Work in a collaborative environment to develop and design all Easterseals communications for all programs, departments, and partner sites. Ensure these materials are available in multiple languages based on specific needs.
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Develop a 12-month editorial calendar for all communications organizations – wide.
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Oversee the management of consistent national brand identity and standards to ensure proper and consistent logo treatment and other identity elements applied in all forms of visual communication. Collaborate with Easterseals National as necessary.
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Manage crisis communication planning, including identifying challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Serve as key communications lead and spokesperson during crises.
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Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with the leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
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Oversee development of all Easterseals print communications including marketing collateral materials and electronic communications including Easterseals website and social media.
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Manage relationships with relevant contractors and vendors.
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Serve as a spokesperson and lead point person on media opportunities that help promote and/or impact the organization.
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Actively engage, cultivate, and manage press relationships to ensure coverage surrounding Easterseals programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects
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Oversee the day-to-day activities of the communications function including budgeting, planning, and staff development.
Development/Fundraising Strategy, Vision and Execution:
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Enhance, define, and build the long-term strategy for development at ECR including goals, direction, staffing, outcomes, and metrics.
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Oversee members of the development team, guiding their direction and action.
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Manage all aspects of the development agenda, including foundations, private philanthropy, corporate giving, and sponsorships.
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Integrate the direction and trajectory of strategic communications (branding, position platform, organizational identity) with the approach and agenda for development.
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Oversee and guide the enhancement of the donor database.
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Set the budget for the development approach during the budget-setting process and track on the adherence to budget across the fiscal year.
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Intersect with the Board of Directors, foundations, and donors, building relationships and leading and guiding stewardship.
IT and Facilities Operations Strategy, Vision, and Execution:
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Develop and maintain a working knowledge of operational requirements, including all relevant laws, regulations, policies, guidelines, and requirements.
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Establish, implement, and improve operational structure, policies, systems, and processes, and provide oversight with the goal of consistently excellent service delivery.
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Ensure business practices align with company goals and maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
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Lead and implement strategic, cross-business projects, initiatives, and processes that underpin the strategic direction of the business and operations.
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Oversee budgets and financial performance in areas of responsibility.
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Document operational planning, policies, and procedures to ensure quality and sustainability.
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Determine the qualitative and quantitative measures that are critical for tracking and understanding operational effectiveness and quality.
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Monitor operating environment and educational events/training to stay abreast of trends related to areas of responsibility.
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Enhance, flesh out, and implement organizational vision by translating agency plans to specific, actionable operational goals and accountabilities.
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Measure progress and adjust accordingly, keeping operational leaders on track with goals.
Requirements:
Education/Certification:
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BA required MA, MBA, or advanced degree in a related field a plus.
Experience Required:
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Minimum 15 years of experience in a significant leadership role with organizational scope and complexity
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A minimum of 15 years experience in planning, writing, editing, and production of newsletters, press releases, annual reports, marketing literature, and other print publications and directories.
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At least 15 years of experience in a senior leadership position, preferably in the nonprofit sector, with responsibility for building programs and impact.
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Relevant operational oversite experience in the IT and facilities areas
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Experience leading fundraising efforts or evidence of playing a significant role as a member of a senior team that enacted a successful fundraising agenda.
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Broad experience working in program development and management, program policy, service delivery, and leadership and team development.
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Experience building and scaling teams and systems.
Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:
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Valid driver’s license.
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Auto insurance.
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Reliable vehicle.
Skills/Abilities:
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Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Speaking — Talking to convey information effectively, including public speaking.
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Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
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Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
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Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
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Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
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Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Writing — Communicating effectively in writing for the needs of the audience, including writing and editing reports, summary memoranda, correspondence, etc.
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Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
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Management of Financial Resources — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, budgeting and accounting for these expenditures.
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Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
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Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
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Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
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Technologically adept – comfort, familiarity and ability to learn and use variety of computer applications. Intermediate-level knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook and Excel. Ability to use internet browsers, video conferencing.
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Ability to break down silos and revamp systems and processes to optimize alignment, integration, efficiency, and effectiveness.
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Ability to work effectively with diverse people from all social and economic segments. Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles/practices and commitment to incorporating them into work.
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Fluency with data and evaluation, including development and use of metrics and assessment/ measurement tools.
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Excellent interpersonal skills that allow for effective relationships in a diverse environment with ability to collaborate and build a consensus.
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Exceptional project management skills: ability to lead complex projects from conception to fruition, with continuous follow up to ensure timely project completion.
ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.