Marketing Manager

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JOB TITLE: Marketing Manager

REPORTS TO: Chief Marketing Officer

LOCATION: Hybrid – Shelter Youth & Family Services headquarters in Arlington Heights, IL

ABOUT SHELTER YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES

Shelter Youth & Family Services provides emergency housing, community-based services, and support for youth and families in crisis. Founded in 1975, we’ve grown into a leading voice for child welfare, human trafficking response, foster care innovation, and trauma-informed care in Illinois. With a current budget of $10M and ambitious plans to grow to $15M, our mission is to end the cycle of abuse and neglect by providing safe, healthy, and stable lives for children and families.

Shelter Youth & Family Services is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgrounds and identities. We actively strive to create an environment that supports all employees, placing value in contributions from people from diverse backgrounds, and honoring all experiences, perspectives, and unique identities. Our mission is to protect children, strengthen families, and transform communities. Joining us in this role will give you a chance to help fulfill that mission and help the community. Shelter and its facilities are drug and smoke-free environments.

Learn more at shelter-inc.org.

Shelter Youth and Family Services encourages the Application of all bilingual applicants to work with our client community. Applicants who can successfully certify their skill level in reading, speaking, and writing in two languages with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services may receive an additional salary stipend. Certification testing is set by DCFS.

position OVERVIEW

The Manager of Marketing & Communications plays a critical leadership role in advancing Shelter’s mission by owning the planning, coordination, and execution of integrated marketing and communications efforts that strengthen awareness, engagement, and support. This role exercises independent judgment, sets priorities for day-to-day Marketing & Communications operations, and regularly makes recommendations that influence organizational strategy, fundraising performance, and public positioning.

Reporting to the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, the Manager provides direct supervision and leadership to a small Marketing & Communications team (1.5 FTEs), ensuring high-quality execution, consistent messaging, and adherence to brand and trauma-informed standards. The Manager translates enterprise-level strategy into actionable plans, timelines, and workflows that drive measurable results.

This position balances strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, guiding campaigns, content development, and storytelling across digital, print, media, and community channels. A highly collaborative partner, the Manager works closely with Development, Programs, HR, and Outreach to support fundraising campaigns, recruitment efforts, and organizational initiatives, helping amplify Shelter’s voice and impact across the communities it serves.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide day-to-day leadership, supervision, and performance management for marketing and communications staff, setting clear priorities, expectations, and accountability.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture that encourages professional growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer to translate strategic direction into executable plans and systems.

Marketing & Communications Strategy Execution

• Support the planning and execution of annual and multi-channel marketing and communications plans that advance Shelter’s mission, fundraising goals, including mass grassroots donor acquisition and retention efforts, workforce needs, and public visibility.
• Plan and own campaign management across print, digital, media, and community channels, including timelines, workflows, and quality standards.
• Regularly analyze data and insights to proactively identify risks, gaps, and opportunities related to messaging, timing, and audience engagement.

Content Creation & Brand Stewardship

• Partner closely with the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer to oversee Shelter’s content strategy, ensuring consistent, high-quality storytelling across all platforms and audiences.
• Review and approve key communications to ensure alignment with Shelter’s brand, voice, values, and trauma-informed standards.
• Maintain and enforce brand standards, serving as a resource and decision-maker for internal teams.
• Oversee and contribute to the creation of compelling content, including newsletters, social media, website updates, press releases, and collateral.
• Elevate the stories of children, families, and staff with sensitivity and authenticity.

Digital & Media Engagement

• Oversee Shelter’s social media and digital engagement strategy, setting goals for growth, reach, and engagement.
• Leverage digital channels to support audience growth, engagement, and donor conversion, in collaboration with Development and the CMCO.
• Support optimization of digital pathways (email, social, website) that encourage action, participation, and giving.
• Oversee website content strategy and maintenance to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with organizational priorities.

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Partner closely with the CMCO to oversee outreach strategy and efforts that support community engagement, events, and external partnerships through strategic communications
• Represent Shelter at select events, panels, or initiatives, as appropriate.
• Partner with internal teams to highlight opportunities for involvement and recognition of community supporters.

Organizational Participation

• Develop and maintain systems, templates, and workflows that strengthen sustainability and reduce reliance on individual staff.
• Stay informed on sector trends, best practices, and emerging tools, translating insights into practical recommendations.
• Model Shelter’s mission, values, and commitment to equity, inclusion, and client-centered care.
• Stay informed on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in marketing and communications.
• Demonstrate commitment to Shelter’s mission, values, and client-centered approach.

RESPONSIBITLITES

1. The ability to motivate, lead and direct staff
2. Must be professional, organized, creative and efficient, able to work successfully both individually and as a part of a team
3. Must be able to not only manage a team to do the work, but at times will need to do the work themselves
4. Supervise staff

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Manager of Marketing & Communications shall be supervised by the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or related field
2. 3-5 years proven experience in marketing and communications, with a focus on strategic planning and campaign management
3. Strong leadership skills, with the ability to direct and motivate a team
4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
5. Strategic thinker with the ability to keep the big picture in focus
6. Experience in the nonprofit sector, particularly in child welfare or social services, is preferred
7. Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of Shelter’s mission, vision, and values
8. Must have a valid Illinois driver’s license, automobile, and must submit proof of Illinois auto insurance.
9. Must complete a Medical and T.B. test. Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the latest CDC guidelines
10. Must be fingerprinted by the State of Illinois and must submit to a full background check through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
11. Must submit official educational transcripts from the last school in which a degree was awarded.
12. Ability to lift 40 lbs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

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. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; and use hands to handle or operate objects. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and reach with hands or arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Shelter is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgrounds and identities. We actively strive to create an environment that supports all employees, placing value in contributions from people from diverse backgrounds, and honoring all experiences, perspectives, and unique identities.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed primarily in the agency facilities, and occasionally in vehicles, meeting rooms both in the facility and at other agency sites.

CLASSIFICATION STATUS

This is an exempt position.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: $70,000 – $80,000 based on experience
• Benefits:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Paid holidays and generous PTO
• Flexible hybrid work schedule
• Professional development opportunities
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel

Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including individuals from historically underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a safe and inclusive workplace for all.