The Graphic Communications Specialist is responsible for the layout, design, development and cataloging of all printed and graphic materials for the Park District.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 40 hours a week, a combination of daytime, weeknight and weekend hours required on a weekly basis, with work hours designated by the Superintendent of Marketing and Communications. The employee shall be on call as required.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

Designs and oversees production of all printed and graphic materials for the District using Mac-based graphic design and desktop publishing software

Prioritizes design production assignments in a timely manner to meet deadlines

Handles the entire production process for four seasonal program guides, including management and processing of ActiveNet data, layout and design of the pages and covers, writing articles (as needed), proofing page proofs, etc.

Oversees delivery of the program guide through a contracted delivery service.

Photographs District programs, activities, meetings, special events, projects and recognition events

Designs all display ads for newspaper and magazine advertising

Designs all social media graphics (as needed)

Works with sign companies and vendors to solicit bids on printing projects and handles all printing/production problems

Solicits bids on printing projects and handles all printing/production problems

Establishes and maintains effective relationships with members of the print media

Serves as a resource on the purchase and use of graphic design software and hardware

Designs logos, as needed, for T-shirts, special events, etc.

Designs and creates graphics and banners for websites, as needed

Develops, catalogs and maintains an up-to-date photo and video library for use by District staff

Collaborates with the Superintendent of Marketing and Communications to advance the Park District's positioning in the community

Implements a long-range strategic communications plan approved by the Executive Director and Department Directors

Participates actively in the Communications and Marketing Section of IPRA to stay informed of trends and developments in employee's area of responsibility

Prepares annual budget projections and monitors revenue and expenses for applicable areas of responsibility

Assists in the development and implementation of the department's Comprehensive Plan

Prepares the preparation of board summaries, monthly reports, and periodic/special reports

Assists with the display in Administrative Center's lobby display case

Creates photos and copy for the portable display boards, as needed

Prepares and distributes New Resident packets

Provides business cards and printed memo pads for staff

Provides communications-related orientation and training to staff

Attends meetings and participates in IPRA, IAPD and local community agencies, associations and organizations

Attends professional conferences and workshops to promote knowledge in related areas of responsibility and for continuing education

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

BA/BS in Graphic Design, Visual Communications or closely related field from an accredited college or university

Minimum of three to five years of demonstrated success in graphic design, desktop publishing or visual communications in a park and recreation agency

Online portfolio with case studies and samples of similar work

Advanced skills in writing, editing, graphic design, word processing software; knowledge of social networks, current, innovative and emerging industry trends; and analytics tools and tactics.

Strong knowledge of desktop publishing, graphic design, layout and print production

Strong knowledge of print media, digital photography and videography

Strong knowledge of paragraph styles and style sheets

Good knowledge of writing, editing and proofreading various types of promotional copy

Basic knowledge of the principles, practices and objectives of park and recreation administration

Good knowledge of the principles of financial management

Ability to write, edit and proofread promotional copy

Ability to catalog and image documents, photos and other forms of media for District-wide use

Ability to cooperate with and interpret Park District philosophies in relation to governmental, public and private groups and agencies and to the general public

Ability to maintain positive and effective working relationships with other supervisors and subordinate employees

Ability to work harmoniously with fellow employees, patrons, community groups and other units of local government

Ability to work independently in day-to-day operations with general direction of the Superintendent of Marketing and Communications

Capacity to utilize effective time management skills and be able to work under the stress of multiple deadlines, requests from other departments and interruptions with accuracy

Ability to work in a team atmosphere, promoting positive work relationships with both internal and external customers

Ability to demonstrate leadership qualities to perform required work

Ability to communicate effectively with fellow staff and the public both orally and in writing

Capacity to be self-motivated and achieve goals with minimal supervision or direction

Ability to maintain self-control and composure in difficult situations

Ability to follow directions and communicate in English verbally and in writing and to read and understand materials printed in English

Capacity to utilize advanced level computer skills in desktop publishing, graphic design, photo and imaging software

Capacity to utilize intermediate level computer skills, including demonstrated proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet and database applications

Capacity to proactively troubleshoot, problem solve and make sound judgments with respect to confidentiality

Ability to pass the Park District's Defensive Driving training, in order to drive to various Park District locations

INTERESTED PARTIES:

Please apply on the District's website: www.ahpd.org/jobs

Job Title: Marketing & Communications Manager Department: Administration Classification: Exempt, IMRF Eligible Salary: $48,000+ DOQ

Job Summary The Marketing & Communications Manager is responsible for the District’s marketing and communications program, while working with the Executive Director, Department Heads, managers, supervisors and staff on specific projects that also encompass public relations efforts including, but not limited to: crisis communications, public information, public relations, internal/external promotions and internal/external marketing.

The Marketing & Communications Manager plans, directs, coordinates and controls the District's communications, public information and marketing efforts as it relates to all internal/external activities and programs. The Marketing & Communications Manager is also in charge of completing and directing the research, writing, media selection, preparation and release of public information, public relations and marketing materials to lead the production of positive, pro-active information to showcase the District's internal/external programs.

The Marketing & Communications Manager provides overall management and implementation to the District's communication efforts to generate press releases, publications, promotional items, website updates, and all other journalism, communications, advertising and all other marketing materials/activities/needs that will provide the public with a positive image of the District's efforts in conjunction with the District’s mission, vision and core values.

The Marketing & Communications Manager also plans and develops the District’s marketing plan, which includes, but is not limited to the overall marketing goals and strategies, publications, ad campaigns, media/public/ consumer relations efforts, customer service programs, surveys, perception development/enhancement strategies, marketing plans and strategies for each department (and programs within each department), and dedicates her/himself to assisting all departments in meeting and exceeding their marketing goals.

Qualifications • Employee must have a minimum of a BA/BS in Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Marketing Research, Integrated Marketing Communications, Graphic Design or related field, and five (5) years of progressively more responsible experience in marketing and communications. • Employee must have a minimum of three (3) years supervisory experience. • Employee must have a valid state driver’s license. • Employee must have proven expertise in editing and writing for publications, websites and marketing materials. • Employee must have a basic understanding of marketing/graphic software (such as, Word Press, Adobe InDesign), Adobe and Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. • Experience in creating a comprehensive marketing plan preferred.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities Marketing Plan/Strategy • Employee is responsible for development of all marketing and communications content. • Employee will work with the Marketing Assistant on all develop and design on all graphics and design. • Employee must develop and implement a comprehensive District-wide marketing plan and update as needed. • Employee must oversee and manage "branding" for the District. • Employee must oversee and manage the development, implementation and evaluation of a broad and varied portfolio of marketing and communications programs and services to insure that the needs of the community are being met. • Employee must establish and implement marketing strategies to achieve the District’s mission, vision and core values. • Employee must plan and implement target marking plans. • Employee must develop and implement a long-range strategic communication plan. • Employee must analyze and report the effectiveness of District marketing strategies on an ongoing basis. • Employee must direct, formulate, review and update the Marketing and Communications’ department goals and objectives consistent with the Department and District’s mission, vision and core values and lead department staff in the accomplishment of these goals and objectives.

Note: All District-wide Marketing and Communication Plans need to be approved by the Executive Director (or designee).

Research/Market Analysis • Employee must conduct ongoing research and analysis (with other District staff) of customer base to improve service and participation levels via database and surveys. • Employee must seek, interpret and implement input from the public. Track quantitative and qualitative information from marketing efforts; develop proactive marketing strategies to meet the public’s needs and increase satisfaction levels by working cohesively and collaboratively with District staff. • Employee must plan and develop market research objectives and conducts market research through surveys, focus groups, needs analyses, attitude surveys and other methods to determine attitudes and needs of the District’s community. • Employee must monitor emerging demographic, social, cultural and recreational trends to identify opportunities for new or revised marketing for programs, services and marketing outreach. • Establishes and maintains a demographic database of the District’s community and surrounding area.

Supervision/Management • Employee must plan and prepare performance appraisals for appropriate staff. • Employee must recruit and select employment of Marketing and Communications’ department personnel. • Employee must prepare payroll for all staff reporting to this position.

Community Relations • Employee must represent the District while working with key community leaders, partners, schools, affiliates, sports leagues and other organizations on special projects/promotions. • Employee must establish and maintain effective relationships with members of the print and broadcast media. • Employee must serve as an internal and external public relations counselor. • Employee must promote, organize and stimulate good relationships with community, interest groups and with other agencies serving the area, in the best interest of the District. • Employee must oversee/manage all of the District’s social media.

Budget • Employee must prepare and administer an annual marketing and communications’ budget. • Employee must prepare annual budget projections and monitor applicable revenue and expenses for areas of responsibility throughout the fiscal year.

Creating Materials • Employee must assist/oversee the creation of brochures and maps for key District facilities and parks. • Employee must assist/oversee the production of marketing and branding materials; including, but not limited to uniforms, forms, letterhead, envelopes, banners, District forms, etc.
• Employee must manage, plan, implement, write, edit and proofread all print promotions, graphic materials and on-site displays; including, but not limited to signs, posters, banners, window displays, bulletin boards, on-hold messaging system, newsletters, news articles, advertisements, flyers, etc.
• Employee must develop effective content for promotional tools including banners, posters, promotional flyers, social media and other tools as needed. • Employee must write/assist/oversee press releases and distribute them to the appropriate media contacts on an ongoing basis. • Employee must attend District events to gain a better understanding of the programs for marketing purposes. • Employee must write and distribute the monthly Board and staff report.

Program Guide • Employee must supervise/manage the entire production process for the seasonal program guides, including, but not limited to, choosing a printer, layout and design of the pages and covers, writing articles (as needed), proofing page proofs, and any other tasks/duties necessary to insure format consistency and quality. • Employee must supervise/manage the delivery of the program guide. • Employee must supervise/manage the production of all marketing pieces, including, but not limited to, brochures, posters, flyers, etc.

Note: The Marketing Assistant will be responsible for a majority of the creation of the graphics for the District and it will be a team effort for the brochure.

Processes • Employee must create an effective policy and procedure for handling promotional requests from staff. • Employee must work with District employees to improve customer communication/service. • Employee must develop and maintain a master calendar of events and promotions; and establish an annual calendar of events for promotional scheduling. • Employee must develop (if needed) and maintain an identity (brand) for the District, by acting as graphics advisor to the staff. • Employee must coordinate the marketing and promotional efforts of all departments, while establishing and maintaining good, cooperative working relations with the Executive Director, Department Heads, managers, supervisors, staff, etc. • Employee must assist staff and recommend alternative funding resources such as grants, sponsorships and donations that would assist the District, as needed. • Employee must establish policies and procedures for all aspects of the marketing department. • Employee must attend Department staff meetings, other staff meetings and Board Meetings, as requested. • Employee must set and achieve annual revenue goals (with staff’s assistance) for sponsorships, partnerships and other alternative revenue sources and solicit advertising revenue for produced materials. • Employee must coordinate outside contractors including artists, designers, photographers, printers, etc. • Employee must coordinate/oversee content of District website. • Employee must solicit bids on printing projects and handle all printing/production related items. • Employee must oversee the software and hardware needs of the Marketing Department. • Employee must assist with and/or attend programs and special events, as needed.

Secondary Duties & Responsibilities • Employee will be the press’ point of contact, as directed by the Executive Director. • Employee must attend meetings and participate in marketing related associations, local community agencies, associations and organizations, in the best interest of the District to stay informed of trends and developments in employee’s area of responsibility. • Employee must attend professional conferences and workshops to promote knowledge in related areas of responsibility • Employee must assist (the Safety Coordinator) in the planning and implementation of a comprehensive public information program, if needed. • Employee must serve on applicable committees, as designated. • Employee must maintain a clean and organized work environment. • Employee must be familiar with and adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the Full-Time Personnel Policy Manual. • Employee must perform all job tasks within the rules and guidelines of the Addison Park District’s safety program. • Employee must make sure the media library is being completed and up-to-date. • Employee must prepare and/or direct the preparation of board summaries, monthly reports and periodic and special reports, as needed. • Employee must be available to act as District photographer, if needed, for programs and special events (i.e. photograph/videotape District programs, activities, meetings, special events, construction projects, recognition events, etc.). • Employee must complete all other duties/tasks as assigned, directed and/or needed.

Social Media Intern (June – August 2019)

Department: Communications Department (Cantigny Park) Reports to: Communications Officer Location: Wheaton, IL
Compensation: $14/hr.

About the Communications Department

Cantigny Communications Design and Media team is responsible for the visual branding of Cantigny Park, Cantigny Golf, Museums and Gardens. We are the brand managers and the voice of the park and its entities. We work within the digital design landscape, including various social media platforms, campaigns, photography, videography and editing to visually market the park attractions, events and programming. 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 three entities, develop and cultivate relationships with our followers, and play a direct role in social media growth for the park, golf and museums.

Opportunity: Social Media Intern

This internship is designed to introduce college seniors and recent graduates to the field of marketing and communications in the nonprofit recreation sector through the lens of visual and digital design. Interns will gain exposure in social media, photography/videography, special events marketing, development of internal and external communication strategies and much more. Upon completion, an intern will foster a deeper understanding of the marketing and communications field and gain the experience of working in a professional office environment and cultural institution.

Cantigny Park is seeking a forward-thinking, smart and creative individual with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to work in its Communications Department. The ideal candidate will have a well-rounded marketing communications and branding skill set, with a strong background in the digital design landscape, including various social media platforms, campaigns, photography, videography and editing. Ideal candidates will be comfortable engaging in a variety of digital visual marketing projects and campaigns, while playing a role in social media growth for the park and museums. This is a full-time position (approx. 40 hours/week) from June through August 2019 that reports to the Communications Officer at Cantigny Park.

Responsibilities

• Create/curate meaningful content through writing, photography and video to engage our online community on social network platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest • Stage and photograph various parts of the park operation from gardens, museums and events to food, products and guests for use on social and print • Develop and execute unique social media campaigns to engage our millennial audience • Develop a content calendar for the park summer and fall events • Research products, platforms and trends as they relate to Cantigny operations for posting/sharing and create reports to present finding to social team • Monitor, track and analyze social media results for monthly electronic media report to share with CEO and staff • Help create email and direct mail campaigns for Cantigny members

Qualifications

• Recent college graduate or graduate student with knowledge of and experience with social media campaigns and photography (videography skills preferred) • Deep familiarity with social media platforms, particularly Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest with an ability to create content in the appropriate voice for the organization • Creative and innovative thinker with the ability to understand the role of social media in an event-driven organization • Must attend programs and events to capture visual content and post live • Must have a car or reliable transportation and be willing and able to work some weekends and evenings • 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 diverse constituencies in a variety of settings • Basic computer skills including use of Microsoft Office Suite • All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and drug screening

Required Application Materials

• Submit resume, cover letter, and two writing samples here (https://donate.mccormickfoundation.org/_about-us/about-us---careers-newton-test?gnk=job&gni=8a7887a9688e2865016895ffc9f46968&gns=Illinois%20Parks%20%26%20Recreation%20Association%20%28IPRA%29). • Submit additional materials via email with your name and the position title in the subject line to mfresumes@mccormickfoundation.org: o Three to six samples of photography o Two samples of social media posts, stories, or campaigns that you have created yourself or that you admire (screen shots/links) o Optional: a video project you have worked on

Cantigny Park and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation 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.