Marketing Communications Strategist

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Marketing & Communications Strategist serves as a strategic partner to the Director of Marketing & Communications and agency leadership, shaping cross-agency communication strategies. In the Director's absence, this role leads planning meetings and coordinates with internal stakeholders and external vendors to maintain strategic momentum. This position drives awareness, engagement, and philanthropic support through compelling, multichannel marketing efforts.

The Strategist serves as a key contributor to the agency's leadership team and is expected to work independently while aligning initiatives with the agency's broader mission and strategic goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides strategic insight and leads agency-wide marketing initiatives in alignment with organizational priorities.
• Acts as the primary liaison with external communication and media partners in the absence of the Marketing Director.
• Collaborates regularly with Executive Team members on campaigns requiring cross-departmental alignment and message consistency.
• Leads quarterly marketing campaigns that drive engagement and support through strategic storytelling, meaningful content, and targeted outreach.
• Oversee projects from concept to execution, ensuring timely delivery, quality, and alignment with program and agency goals.
• Partners with in-house marketing staff and external vendors to develop content and visual assets across multiple platforms (e.g., social media, print, video, digital).
• Creates and maintains calendars for social media, paid media, and other communication strategies supporting agency initiatives.
• Analyzes stakeholder insights, performance data, and industry trends to optimize campaign effectiveness and inform strategic planning.
• Engage staff at all levels to ensure program information is current and impact stories (client/staff) are documented and used appropriately.
• Manages the agency's social channels and website; proactively reports performance and recommends improvements.
• Engages with external partners for SEO and SEM execution and performance optimization.
• Leads planning sessions and ideation meetings (in the Director's absence) related to agency events, donor outreach, or specific campaigns.
• Attend community and agency events to capture media content for future storytelling and outreach.
• Maintains the agency's digital asset library, including photos, video, graphics, and written materials.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and strategic communication initiatives.
• Experience serving as a lead contributor, advisor, or owner of organizational-level marketing initiatives.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Proven ability to lead communication efforts and provide direction to internal teams and external partners.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across diverse platforms.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet multiple deadlines.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Knowledge of WordPress and Salesforce preferred.
• Ability to build strong relationships across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and commitment to brand consistency and accuracy.
• Cultural competence and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to develop written and visual content for implementation across social media and digital campaigns, including basic graphic design.

CARE & TCI

Hoyleton has adopted the CARE (Children and Residential Experience), developed by Cornell University, to guide our culture and practice. CARE is grounded in six core principles: Developmentally Focused, Family Involved, Relationship Based, Ecologically Oriented, Competence Centered, and Trauma Informed.

Completion of CARE and TCI training is an internal requirement for all staff and must be completed upon hire. Ongoing application of these principles is expected and essential to successful job performance.

TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention). Employees must:

• Pass the written test annually
• Pass the physical test every six months (if applicable to their role)

Monthly refresher opportunities are provided. Employees who fall out of compliance may be required to retake the full course. Consistent participation and application of both CARE and TCI are essential to job performance.

Working Conditions

This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard equipment including, but not limited to, filing cabinets, computers, phones, photocopiers, etc.

The role may involve frequent walking, standing, or lifting of materials up to 20 pounds, depending on program needs. These physical demands are representative of those needed to perform the essential functions of the job.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, Communications, Business or related field.
• A minimum of 4-5 years of relevant experience in marketing, with a focus on marketing strategy, social media management, or marketing project management.
• Non-profit experience a plus.

Requirements

• Must meet DCFS/CANTS Clearance Requirements.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and maintain proof of automobile insurance