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Communications Manager

The American Bar Foundation (ABF) seeks an innovative and experienced professional to lead its Communications team.
 
About the ABF
Located in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, the American Bar Foundation is a nonprofit research institute committed to expanding knowledge and advancing justice. ABF scholars produce timely, cutting-edge research to inform and guide the legal profession, the academy, and society in the United States and internationally. We offer staff a hybrid work schedule along with a comprehensive benefits package and generous paid time off, as further described below.
 
About this Position
It’s an exciting time for the ABF’s growing Communications team as we prepare to launch the new ABF website and develop season 2 of our podcast, Whose Law is it Anyway? The Communications Manager will take charge of these projects and play a key role in shaping the ABF’s broader communications strategy to expand our brand visibility among both ABF stakeholders and the general public. The Communications Manager supervises two team members – the Digital Media Specialist and the Content Specialist. Together, this team produces engaging content ranging from social media posts to the ABF’s long-form biannual newsletter, Researching Law. The Communications Manager collaborates with staff and faculty across the ABF and reports to the Director of Programs and Operations.
 
Key Responsibilities
 
Strategy and Department Management
  • Oversee creation and implementation of comprehensive communications strategy, including content strategy, brand guidelines, organization-wide style guidelines, and communications calendar.
  • Manage content creation and digital communications.
  • Ensure a consistent voice and message across all communications channels and publications
  • Supervise communications staff and manage ongoing workflow.
  • Manage occasional special events to highlight ABF research and assist with publicizing events.
  • Allocate and manage communications department budget.
  • Oversee selection and management of specialty contracts with vendors (media tracking, design, web, video, etc.), ensuring consistent brand identity.
  • Other communications-related duties as assigned.

Public Relations
  • Serve as primary contact for media outlets
  • Interface with reporters and the press and respond to any inquiries and requests
  • Create and edit press releases
  • Work with ABF research community to pitch and write op-ed pieces
  • Prep research faculty or ED for interviews
 
Content Creation
  • Create and co-manage main ABF content strategy, overseeing Content Specialist in projects including production of monthly e-newsletter, new ABF blog, and script writing for the ABF podcast.
  • Create and edit ABF Annual Report, working with ABF staff and faculty.
  • Co-write and co-edit Researching Law, the ABF’s long-form biannual newsletter, identifying and interviewing subject matter experts and distributing final product to broad ABF network.
  • Draft talking points and other mission-critical materials for ABF leadership and faculty.
  • Generate other content as needed for other departments, including event announcements, flyers, information packets, program summaries, and progress reports for funders.
 
Digital Communications
  • Serve as content manager of the ABF website: americanbarfoundation.org.
  • Create and co-manage main ABF social media strategy, overseeing Digital Media Specialist and interns to maintain ABF social media presence and mass email communications.
  • Create and produce ABF podcast by working closely with ABF podcast team.
  • Create graphics and video content as needed.
  • Monitor ABF’s media coverage on Meltwater; Track analytics on the impact of ABF media penetration and website traffic.
 
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Journalism or Communications
  • 3-5 years of work experience, including managing staff, preferably in a nonprofit or academic environment
  • Commitment to personal growth and development on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Must reside in Illinois and be able to work out of the Chicago office on a hybrid (remote/in person) schedule
  • Must maintain U.S. work authorization throughout employment
 
Knowledge and Skills
  • Entrepreneurial nature; intellectually curious and creative thinker
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to effectively communicate complex research projects and programs to everyday audiences
  • Ability to quickly comprehend a wide range of issues at the intersection of law and society
  • Strong copywriting, editing and proofreading skills; attention to detail
  • Ability to work well in a team environment, handle multiple assignments, and meet deadlines
  • Proficiency in AP-style writing
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite: Word, PowerPoint, Excel
  • Proficiency with mass marketing/communications software and CRMs: Constant Contact, Meltwater, Hootsuite, etc.
  • Experience managing/integrating multiple social media channels
  • Some experience with web design, especially WordPress, HTML, CSS
  • Some graphic and publication design experience (Adobe Creative Cloud products, Canva, etc.)
 
Desired Skills
  • Knowledge of media relations strategies; experience interacting with and building relationships with the press
  • Sound editing, especially for podcast production
  • Experience using Google Analytics
  • Basic video editing experience (Filmora, Premiere Pro, etc.)
  • Experience in photography/videography
  • Understanding of front-end SEO best practices and keyword strategy
  • Experience managing design vendors and consultants
 
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment, with some remote days and some days reporting to the office. All employees reporting to the ABF office must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including receiving a booster shot, if eligible. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
 
Physical Demands
This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open cabinets, and bend or stand as necessary.
 
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, exempt position. Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a 1-hour lunch period. Occasional work outside of these hours is expected in connection with ABF events.
 
Salary and Benefits
Salary starts at $65,000. Full-time benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid sick leave (10 days); paid personal leave (5 days); paid vacation (15 days); paid holidays (including a week-long winter holiday recess); paid family leave after one year of employment; FSA or HSA; 403(b) retirement plan with employer match; transit and parking benefits, including discounted parking; employee assistance program; corporate discounts; and more.

Application Instructions

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and 2 relevant work samples that best showcase your previous work (at least one of which should be a writing sample) via Interfolio. Applications submitted through other websites will not be reviewed. No phone calls, please.


Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The ABF is firmly committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons. All decisions regarding the terms, privileges, and/or conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, classification, grading, recruitment, discharge, discipline, compensation, selection for training or apprenticeship, placement, promotion, transfer, renewal of employment, tenure or terms, and benefits, will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, order of protection status, marital status, disability, military status, unfavorable discharge from the military, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, housing status, parental status, source of income, certain arrest or criminal history records, genetic information, protected activity (such as opposition to or reporting of prohibited discrimination or harassment), or any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. The ABF prohibits discrimination, retaliation, and harassment of individuals on any of the bases listed above and any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and/or local law.

The ABF will reasonably accommodate qualified employees with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of their jobs unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship. The ABF also will reasonably accommodate employees' sincere religious beliefs and practices unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship. All requests for reasonable accommodation should be made to Jessie Gotsdiner, Manager of HR and Operations.
Any violation of the equal employment opportunity policy must be reported immediately to Ann Pikus, Director of Programs and Operations. If you have any questions regarding discrimination or this policy, please contact Jessie Gotsdiner, Manager of HR and Operations.