Digital Communication Intern (RMF)

Robert R. McCormick Foundation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation is seeking a Digital Communications Intern within the Communications Department.

This full‑time role runs from June through September 2020 with potential extension to fall part‑time, offering the chance to gain hands-on experience in website design, content production, and blog publishing at a cultural institution in Illinois. You will assist with migrating content to a redesigned site, publish newsletters, and create multimedia content while collaborating with

Qualifications

• Recent college graduate or upperclassman in an accredited undergraduate degree program with web programming and content production experience.
• Proficient in HTML/CSS; familiarity with content management and digital media production.
• Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills; ability to create content in the appropriate organizational voice.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, detail-oriented, and collaborative team player.

Responsibilities

• Website redesign: support Communications in redesign and migration of the Foundation’s website; design and test content; write content for new webpages.
• Blog platform migration: HTML/CSS programming and web page layout for migration to WordPress.
• Blog production: coordinate interviews, photography, write content, and edit blogs.
• Collaborate with grant-making programs to develop original content for social media channels.
• Publish the Foundation’s internal e-newsletter, Kernels.
• Attend events to capture content and multimedia for print and digital communications.
• Monitor daily Foundation and grantee news for monthly electronic media report.
• Refine social media strategy; create/curate content for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Skills

Photography skills

Interpersonal skills

Writing and presentation skills

Team player

Education

Recent college graduate or upperclassman in an accredited undergraduate degree program

Tools

HTML/CSS programming

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Photoshop

Dreamweaver

Adobe Creative Suite

MailChimp

WordPress

Job description

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation is dedicated to fostering communities of educated, informed, and engaged citizens. Through philanthropic grant‑making and Cantigny Park, the Foundation works to make life better in Chicagoland. The McCormick Foundation, among the nation’s largest foundations with more than $1.5 billion in assets, was established in 1955 upon the death of Col. Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the

Chicago Tribune. The Foundation awards about $55 million a year across five grantmaking program areas.

Cantigny Park, part of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is the 500-acre Wheaton estate of Robert R. McCormick. It is home to the McCormick House, First Division Museum, formal gardens, picnic grounds, walking trails and a Visitors Center with banquet and dining facilities.

Our Values

Integrity and Humility

Trust and respect are essential in relationships. We aspire to the highest standards of professional behavior and ethics.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We seek communities in which all individuals have equitable access to the resources, opportunities, and power they need to flourish, and where race and ethnicity are not predictive of life outcomes.

Individual Rights and Responsibilities

We promote an understanding of both our Constitutional rights, as well as our obligations to others as members of our community.

Commitment to Service and Effective Stewardship

We support people and communities through our service to them. To sustain our mission for years to come, we respect the resources entrusted to us and the intent of our benefactor, Robert R. McCormick.

Greater Impact and Collaboration

We work with communities to help solve their most pressing challenges. We look to maximize our impact through partnerships and teamwork.

Innovation and a Commitment to Learning

Continuous learning will improve our performance and each person’s ability to contribute.

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation and Cantigny Park provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, individuals with disabilities, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital and housing status.

About the Communications Department

The Foundation’s Communications team is responsible for the visual and written brand management of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. We are the brand managers and the voice of all the grantmaking programs of the Foundation. We work within the digital design landscape, including various social media platforms, campaigns, photography, videography and editing to visually market the work of the grantmaking programs, and the grantee partners of Chicago and the state of Illinois. Our team manages all visual content including graphic design, publishing, advertisement, signage management, brochures, video, photography and all marketing collateral. Additionally, we maintain social platforms for the McCormick Foundation, develop and cultivate relationships with our followers, and play a direct role in social media growth through the state of Illinois.

Opportunity: Digital Communications Intern

This internship is designed to introduce college seniors and recent graduates to the field of marketing, communications, and/or journalism. Interns will gain exposure in website design, content production, content migration, blog publishing, and copy editing. Upon leaving the McCormick Foundation, interns will foster a deeper understanding of the web development and digital communications fields and gain the experience of working in a professional office environment and cultural institution.

The McCormick Foundation is seeking a forward-thinking, creative, and nimble individual with excellent verbal and written communication skills to work in its Communications Department. This individual should have a good understanding of the current internet best practices, writing and editing content for the web, responsive and accessible web design, and blog production on a WordPress platform. The Digital Communications Intern will be tasked with a variety of projects including writing and editing copy for the website, helping implement a redesigned site on a new platform, migrating and repurposing existing content, and producing new written, photographic and video content. This is a full-time internship from June through September 2020 with the possibility of extending into the fall part-time.

Responsibilities

• Website redesign: support the Communications Department in the redesign and migration of the Foundation’s website
  • Design and test content for the new site
  • Write content for new webpages
• Blog platform migration: HTML and CSS programming and web page layout design for the migration of current blog platform to WordPress
• Blog production: coordinate interviews and photography, write content, and edit blogs
• Work with grant-making programs to help develop original content for the Foundation’s social media vehicles
• Help publish the Foundation’s internal e-newsletter, Kernels
• Attend events to capture content and multimedia for print and digital communications
• Monitor and track daily Foundation and grantee news for monthly electronic media report
• Help assess and refine the Foundation’s social media strategy, including:
  • Create/curate content and foster communities on social network pages such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn

Qualifications

• Recent college graduate or upperclassman at an accredited undergraduate degree program with experience in web programming and content production skills (photography skills preferred)
• Proficient computer skills including HTML/CSS programming, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop and Dreamweaver, and Adobe Creative Suite (MailChimp is a plus)
• Efficient and effective multi-tasking and time management skills
• Detail-oriented, inquisitive, and thoughtful
• Team player, with the ability to work independently when needed
• Demonstrated passion for the Foundation’s values with commitment to deliver results measured against the Foundation’s mission
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and experience building relationships with multiple stakeholders by listening to new ideas, encouraging dialogue, and inspiring people to work towards common goals
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, particularly in communication with an ability to create content in the appropriate voice for the organization
• All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and drug screening
• Photography/videography/web design portfolio (if available): please submit in MS Word, PDF, or add URL to your resume/cover letter