Community Relations Strategist

City Colleges of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Chicago seeks a Community Relations Strategist to enhance community engagement and promote its programs. The role involves developing partnerships, managing outreach efforts, and collaborating with various stakeholders to increase awareness of CCC's mission and initiatives.

Benefits

Health and welfare benefits

403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans

Pension plan with SURS

Generous vacation and sick days

Tuition reimbursement

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in community relations.
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Manage community relations efforts to promote CCC.
• Develop relationships with community and civic groups.

Skills

Public Speaking

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications

Master’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Salesforce

Job description

The Office of Legislative and Community Affairs provides legislative, regulatory, and financial support to CCC through proactive representation before the City of Chicago City Council, the Illinois General Assembly, the offices of Illinois constitutional officers, and the United States Congress. Our goals are to ensure public understanding of CCC's programs and initiatives, ascertain public attitudes toward issues in education, and identify the public's educational expectations for their students.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor, Legislative and Community Affairs, the Community Relations Strategist manages community relations efforts and performs functions to effectively support and promote CCC by maintaining positive relations and working collaboratively with government offices, local campuses, and surrounding communities.

The Community Relations Strategist works to increase and deepen community awareness of CCC's academic and vocational programs, strengthen existing partnerships, and cultivate new opportunities and relationships with community, civic, and business groups. Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Works with the Vice Chancellor and outreach team to create strategies that allow CCC to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted community-based organizations, elected officials, and government entities.
2. Participates in the implementation of the strategic community outreach plan, working towards sustaining excellence in community engagement through appropriate programs, networks, relationships, and structures.
3. Supports districtwide community outreach and engagement efforts, maintaining positive relations between government offices, local campuses, and the surrounding community to effectively promote CCC's educational programs and improve the educational experience of its students.
4. Works closely with the Mayor’s Office of Community Engagement staff to plan summer activities for students.
5. Updates and maintains the CRM (Salesforce) system to reflect current interactions districtwide.
6. Maintains regular contact with community leaders through ongoing communication and updates.
7. Develops and maintains relationships with community and faith-based organizations, business and civic groups, government officials, and other key stakeholders to sustain positive community engagement.
8. Identifies and develops innovative ways to tell the story of CCC to external partners, including the role and mission of CCC and its relation to the people and communities it serves.
9. Works collaboratively with the Marketing Department in planning and implementing communication initiatives to effectively represent and promote CCC to various audiences and help increase student enrollment.
10. Advances CCC's brand identity by organizing and implementing community promotional and outreach activities to broaden awareness and increase the visibility of CCC and its programs across key targeted audiences.
11. Identifies opportunities to expand community engagement and represents CCC at community events to maintain a presence in the community and promote CCC's mission and academic programs.
12. Works with the Associate Vice Chancellor to create strategies that enable senior leadership to cultivate and enhance relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including elected officials and government partners.
13. Creates and maintains a contact database for the department.
14. Promotes the integration of regulatory, political, and market expectations that support each college's strategic plan.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To: Vice Chancellor, Legislative and Community Affairs

Direct Supervision: None

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, or a related field; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Two years of experience in a higher education setting, non-profit service organization, or private sector related to community relations and developing community relationships.
• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish are highly desirable.
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends as required.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in public speaking.
• Valid State of Illinois driver’s license.
• May be required to use a personal vehicle for work, with a monthly mileage stipend provided.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).

WE OFFER

Excellent health and welfare benefits, long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans, and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS). Generous vacation, holiday, personal, and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For more details, visit our benefits page.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Chicago residency is required within 6 months of hire for all full-time employees.

Thank you for your interest in CCC!