Non-Profit Marketing and Communications Specialist

Kenneth Young Center; Schaumburg (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) plan with organizational mirh?

Medical Insurance (Blue Cross and Blue

Dental (BCBS)

Vision Insurance (BCBS) with low emplo

Long Term and Short Term Disability (1

Flexible Spending Account (with annual

Basic life insurance (50k) paid for by

Incentive program with potential for q

Annual bonus and salary increase (disc

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Kenneth Young Center seeks a Marketing & Communications Specialist to elevate the organization’s visibility, share impact, and engage communities, supporters, and donors. Reporting to the Director of Development and Communications, the role collaborates with the Media and Communications Manager to craft compelling content and strategic campaigns that advance our mission.

The Specialist will manage content development, digital marketing, email communications, and social media, translating program

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent in marketing/communications.
• Demonstrated experience developing written content and coordinating campaigns.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling abilities.
• Familiarity with social media management and digital analytics is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, write, edit, and coordinate content that communicates KYC's mission and impact.
• Gather stories, photographs, and program information in collaboration with program staff.
• Produce newsletters, articles, and communications content across channels.
• Develop audience-specific content to strengthen understanding of KYC's work.
• Maintain an editorial calendar to ensure timely communications.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Storytelling

Content development

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, digital media

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

(NON-PROFIT) MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Kenneth Young Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dedicated to providing comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services to individuals of all walks of life. Located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, we offer a wide range of services including outpatient therapeutic care, recovery-oriented support, community prevention, LGBTQ+ outreach, older adult services, and crisis intervention. Our team welcomes and celebrates unique perspectives and represents the diversity and vitality of our local communities. Join our team to grow in your career while building stronger, healthier communities.

Kenneth Young Center offers a robust benefit package that is highly competitive to the market and offers all full-time employees the following:

• 403(b) plan with organizational matching
• Medical Insurance (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois - BCBS)
• Dental (BCBS), and Vision Insurance (BCBS) with low employee premiums
• Long Term and Short Term Disability (BCBS), no cost to employee
• Flexible Spending Account (with annual rollover)
• Basic life insurance (50k) paid for by the organization and option for additional voluntary coverage for self, spouse, or dependents (BCBS)
• Incentive program with potential for quarterly bonuses
• Opportunity for annual bonus and salary increase (discretionary based on annual KYC financial audit)
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

To further promote an active and healthy work/ life balance, KYC also offers a generous amount of paid time off and staff holidays.

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off (With increases based on seniority)
• 8 Paid Organization-Wide Holidays
• 3 Personal Floating Holidays annually

Position Summary

The Marketing & Communications Specialist advances KYC’s mission by increasing awareness of the organization’s work, communicating its impact, and strengthening engagement with the communities, supporters, and philanthropic partners that make its work possible. Reporting to the Director of Development and Communications and working in close collaboration with the Media and Communications Manager, this position develops and implements marketing and communications initiatives that strengthen KYC’s public profile, expand audience reach, and build understanding of the organization’s mission, programs, and impact.

The Specialist leads the development and execution of content, digital marketing, social media, email communications, and integrated marketing initiatives across multiple platforms. Working collaboratively with program staff, the Manager of Annual Giving, and the Manager of Grants, the Specialist translates program outcomes, organizational priorities, and community impact into compelling, audience-focused stories and communications that support organizational visibility, donor engagement, fundraising initiatives, and philanthropic relationship-building. Through effective content development, strategic audience engagement, and ongoing evaluation of communications performance, this position helps expand KYC’s reach, deepen stakeholder connections, and strengthen the foundation for long-term organizational support.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing and Communications Implementation

• Develop and implement marketing and communications initiatives that advance KYC's mission, organizational priorities, and strategic objectives.
• Execute integrated marketing campaigns that increase awareness of KYC's programs, services, accomplishments, and community impact.
• Translate organizational priorities and program outcomes into compelling, audience-focused communications.
• Coordinate marketing activities across digital, print, email, and other communication channels.
• Ensure consistency of organizational messaging and brand standards across marketing materials and communications platforms.
• Collaborate with the Media and Communications Manager to implement communications priorities and support broader organizational positioning.

Content Development & Organizational Storytelling

• Develop, write, edit, and coordinate content that communicates KYC's mission, programs, outcomes, and community impact.
• Gather stories, testimonials, photographs, and program information in collaboration with program staff and organizational leadership.
• Produce newsletters, articles, organizational updates, impact stories, promotional materials, and other communications content.
• Develop audience-specific content that strengthens understanding of KYC's work and demonstrates the value of its programs.
• Maintain an editorial and content calendar to ensure consistent, timely, and relevant communications.
• Support the development of organizational presentations, reports, fact sheets, and other materials that communicate KYC's work and accomplishments.

Digital Marketing & Social Media Management

• Manage day-to-day content development and publishing across KYC's social media platforms.
• Develop and implement social media initiatives that increase audience reach, engagement, and awareness.
• Develop and distribute email communications, newsletters, and digital announcements.
• Create digital content that promotes KYC's programs, services, organizational accomplishments, and community impact.
• Support website content development by preparing stories, program information, photographs, and other materials in coordination with the Media and Communications Manager.
• Promote KYC's website and digital resources through social media, email marketing, and other communication channels.
• Monitor digital engagement and identify opportunities to improve content effectiveness and audience interaction.

Digital Content & Audience Engagement

• Develop and prepare website content, including program descriptions, organizational updates, impact stories, and other materials, in collaboration with the Media and Communications Manager and relevant staff.
• Identify opportunities to use digital content and marketing channels to increase awareness of KYC's programs, services, accomplishments, and community impact.
• Coordinate the promotion of KYC's website and digital resources through social media, email marketing, organizational communications, and community partnerships.
• Develop digital communications that encourage individuals and organizations to connect with KYC, explore its programs, participate in activities, and support its mission.
• Monitor audience engagement across digital platforms and identify opportunities to expand reach, strengthen engagement, and improve content effectiveness.

Fundraising & Philanthropic Communications Support

• Collaborate with the Manager of Annual Giving and Manager of Grants to develop communications materials that support fundraising and philanthropic engagement priorities.
• Translate program outcomes and organizational impact into compelling content that demonstrates the value of philanthropic investment in KYC.
• Develop donor-facing stories, impact summaries, campaign materials, presentations, and other communications supporting annual giving and institutional fundraising initiatives.
• Support the development and execution of fundraising campaign communications across digital and other marketing channels.
• Identify opportunities to highlight donor impact, philanthropic partnerships, and organizational accomplishments through storytelling and digital content.
• Ensure fundraising-related communications are consistent with KYC's organizational messaging and brand standards.

Analytics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Track and analyze social media engagement, email performance, audience growth, digital campaign results, and website referral traffic.
• Prepare regular reports identifying marketing performance, audience engagement trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor the effectiveness of marketing initiatives and recommend adjustments based on performance data and audience engagement.
• Evaluate content effectiveness in reaching priority audiences, increasing awareness, and communicating KYC's mission and impact.
• Maintain records of marketing activities, communications materials, and campaign performance.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of measurable marketing and communications objectives.

Internal Collaboration & Coordination

• Work collaboratively with the Media and Communications Manager to implement communications priorities, develop content, and maintain consistent organizational messaging.
• Partner with program staff to identify stories, gather information, and communicate program outcomes and community impact.
• Coordinate with the Manager of Annual Giving and Manager of Grants to align content development and marketing activities with fundraising and institutional giving priorities.
• Support organizational leadership with presentations, announcements, promotional materials, and other communications as needed.
• Coordinate with external vendors, designers, photographers, printers, and other marketing partners to support the development and execution of communications initiatives.
• Maintain effective working relationships across departments to ensure marketing and communications activities are timely, coordinated, and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Represent KYC positively and professionally in all interactions with colleagues, partners, supporters, and community members.
• Demonstrate commitment to high-quality work, attention to detail, and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to a collaborative, productive, and mission-driven team environment.
• Demonstrate initiative, adaptability, and sound judgment when managing responsibilities and resolving challenges.
• Communicate clearly, respectfully, and effectively with diverse audiences.
• Seek and incorporate feedback, use supervision effectively, and take responsibility for professional growth.
• Contribute to a culture of care, collaboration, respect, and accountability.

Core Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling abilities.
• Ability to translate organizational programs, priorities, and impact into clear, compelling, audience-appropriate communications.
• Understanding of brand voice, audience engagement, and the role of marketing and communications in advancing a nonprofit mission.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects, prioritize competing deadlines, and deliver high-quality work on time.
• Creative thinking and the ability to develop engaging content for a variety of audiences and communication channels.
• Analytical skills and the ability to monitor marketing and communications performance, interpret engagement metrics, and apply insights to improve results.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues and incorporating supervisory guidance.
• Flexibility, initiative, and sound judgment in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Familiarity with social media management tools, email marketing platforms, website content management systems, and digital analytics is an asset.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite or other graphic design and content creation tools is an asset.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting and frequently uses standard office equipment.
• Travel between offices, meeting outside of Illinois and to other locations in the community will happen on a regular basis
• At times it will be necessary to attend meetings and events in the evening and on weekends

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Employee is occasionally required to carry, move, or transport program materials, boxes, audiovisual equipment, office products/equipment/supplies, furniture, or other objects weighing up to 40 lbs. while conducting division/community programs.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, talk and hear.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, digital media, or a related field preferred.
• 2-4 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, digital marketing, content development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing written content, managing social media platforms, coordinating marketing campaigns, and executing digital communications initiatives.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
• Working knowledge of digital marketing practices, social media platforms, email marketing, content development tools, and communications analytics.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, coordinate competing priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently within established organizational priorities.
• Experience developing marketing materials and communications content that support organizational visibility, audience engagement, and fundraising or community outreach initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with graphic design, content creation, email marketing, and digital analytics platforms.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners.

Chain of Authority

• Reports to the Director of Development and Communications

Schedule

• Full-time, Hourly, 37.5 hours per week.
• May include - Ability to work beyond traditional working hours and schedules (travel, evening and weekend events and/or meetings).
• Time Keeping – Accurately record hours worked in the electronic timekeeping system (on a daily basis when possible) in accordance with the timekeeping policy and practice.

Kenneth Young Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer