Communications Manager

Priority will be given to applications received by Thursday, April 30, but applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

ABOUT THE RICHARD L. DUCHOSSOIS FOUNDATION

The Richard L. Duchossois Foundation (RLD) was founded in 2022 and launched formal operations in 2024 with a deep commitment to addressing seemingly intractable social problems with imagination and passion. Through strategic grantmaking, the Foundation works to improve the lives of families and veterans while cultivating entrepreneurship through data-driven and collaborative funding approaches. The RLD Foundation practices rigorous, listening-centered philanthropy, striving to be a learning-focused organization that continually deepens its understanding of needs and issues within its priority areas. While the Foundation's home and primary focus is the Chicago region, it may consider national efforts that align with its mission, values, and goals.

JOB SUMMARY

The Communications Manager at the RLD Foundation will build and lead the organization’s communications strategies and functions from the ground up, shaping how the Foundation tells community stories in support of meaningful partnership with grantees.   The Manager will often apply a journalistic, policy, or issue-based research orientation to craft communication strategies and content that is relevant to government, academic, and nonprofit entities alike. 

A leading goal is to ensure the foundation operates with openness and transparency in ways that contribute to more meaningful relationships and dialogues with our grantee partners and the communities whom the Foundation serves.  With initial emphasis on honing the Foundation’s voice, this person will serve as a strategic advisor to the leadership team in addition to personally executing much of the early work across external and internal communications platforms.

With responsibility for developing and leading an integrated communications strategy primarily focused on building bridges and trust within the philanthropic and non-profit landscapes, the Communications Manager will advance the RLD Foundation’s mission, strengthen its position as an open thought-partner, and amplify the impact of grantee partners. This role oversees communications, including thought leadership content, media relations, digital channels, publications, and executive communications.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES

 Strategy and Leadership

•  Work with senior leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with the Foundation’s mission and program priorities --entrepreneurship, strong families and veterans – grounded in learning, data, research, and grantee and community dialogue.
• Recognizing the critical role the grantee-funder relationship plays in philanthropic impact, engage in thoughtful and transparent communications methods with the goal of establishing and deepening rapport and mutual trust with key stakeholders.
• Using the foundation’s focus on impact metrics (e.g. not the number of people reached, but rather the impact of a message on trust-building and mission-advancement), establish annual communication objectives, track progress, and report learnings to leadership, Board and the public.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director, program leadership, and Board on opportunities for community support, message development, positioning, and establishing foundation voice and presence in the philanthropic landscape.
• Leverage communication as a strategic tool in Foundation grantmaking to build trust, bridge divides and help make meaningful impact possible.
• In partnership with the Executive Director and leadership team, draft and/or review and edit major external communications pieces, including but not limited to press releases, annual reports, talking points, presentations, team-generated thought leadership pieces, and Q&As. As needed, support spokespersons as needed with preparation and coaching.
• Build relationships with the communications leaders of the foundation’s grantee partners and peer funders to ensure the Foundation is a constructive, collaborative partner on issues important to the communities served.
• Amplify the work and learnings of grantee partners to raise awareness of issues impacting local communities and the approaches employed to mitigate them.

 Brand, Messaging and Content

• Given the Foundation’s relatively early stage, further define, codify, and steward the Foundation’s brand, narrative voice, and identity across all channels and materials. 
• In collaboration with the foundation’s program and data teams, oversee and support the development of compelling content (stories, reports, op eds, blog posts, videos, and presentations) that elevates grantee partners; reflects lived experience, and translates field insights into clear pathways and shared learning.
• Ensure internal and external messaging aligns with and is reflective of the Foundation’s values, mission, strategies, and programmatic and organizational theories of change.
• Tailor communication for key audiences (grantees, peer funders, board members, policymakers, community partners, and the public) in a way that demonstrates the Foundation’s commitment to leveraging data for impact, learning, and centering community voice.
• Oversee and manage the development and organization of the Foundation’s communications assets and brand collateral, in collaboration with external vendors as needed, to ensure consistency, adherence, and accessibility.
• Prioritize grantee and community partner-centered storytelling to support the values and vision of the RLD Foundation.

External Relations

• Map and deepen the understanding of the Foundation’s key audiences (grantees, peer funders, community leaders, intermediaries, and policy stakeholders) and tailor communications to support understanding and coordination across funders, intermediaries, community organizations, and the people those systems are designed to serve.
• Hone and continually refine the Foundation’s voice as it relates to sensitive position-taking and/or advocacy efforts within the scope of the Foundation’s issue areas and work.
• Maintain updated external communications guidelines for all grantees and other partners and oversee approvals of external mentions and use of the RLD Foundation logo and/or organization name.
• Provide partnership and support (as appropriate) for the communications efforts of RLD Foundation grantees and partners, including opportunities to share the Foundation’s platforms as a way to offer additional reach to grantee communications.
• As it is anticipated to become more necessary in the Foundation’s natural evolution, serve as primary media contact; build and manage relationships with journalists and outlets covering philanthropy, policy, and the foundation’s issue areas.
• As necessary, lead proactive and reactive communications for sensitive reputational or crisis situations.

Digital and Publications

• Oversee strategy, content, engagement and analytics for the RLD Foundation website, email newsletters, and social media channels.
• Manage production and lead the creation of flagship publications such as annual reports, impact reports, and major initiative announcements.
• Use data and audience insights to refine digital engagement and test new approaches to reach target stakeholders.
• Write and edit core messages: website copy, grantee stories, newsletters, slide decks, annual or impact updates, and Board communications- that help audiences understand how systems function, where support exists, and how individuals and organizations can engage
• Manage and maintain organizational social media channels (LinkedIn), including authoring and managing posts, monitoring page activity, interacting with grantee and stakeholder content, and creating and posting longform website blog entries as extension of social content.
• Launch or refine the website, newsletter updates, and social media presence, including analytics frameworks to track reach and engagement.

Management and Operations

• Manage vendors as needed (e.g., design, web development, PR support, video) to deliver high-quality work on time and on-budget.
• Establish processes, tools, and guidelines for consistent, accessible, and inclusive communication across the Foundation.
• Support the planning and execution of RLD Foundation convenings, events, and public-facing engagements by coordinating communications assets, messaging, and logistics in partnership with program and operations teams.

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5 - 7 years of progressively responsible communications experience, with a strong preference for candidates with backgrounds in philanthropy, non-profits, or mission-driven organizations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing organization-wide communications strategies highly aligned with values and mission. This includes strategy and content planning, brand management, and stakeholder engagement.
• An understanding of how communications practices can support and elevate people-centered systems or philanthropic and community ecosystems.
• Proven project management experience with demonstrated collaboration skills across organizational levels and departments.
• Ability to nuance messaging using the appropriate balance of humility, service, knowledge-sharing, and marketing/branding in a way that advances the Foundation’s mission.
• Proficiency with modern communications and marketing tools (e.g., CMS, email marketing platforms, social media management, practical AI application, basic design tools and/or oversight of creative teams).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Suite, Canva, and/or web development skills for interactive online content a plus.
• A baseline understanding of social sector evaluation, the opportunities and challenges it presents to funders and grantees alike, and an understanding of how to navigate the tension between communicating impact and what can be measured.
• Knowledge and/or lived experience related to the RLD Foundation’s issue areas and/or areas related to economic equity, community development, or aligned fields strongly preferred. This includes the ability to communicate about these topics in a people-first and community-centered manner.
• Previous experience with communication in relation to issue-based research, policy, evaluation, and/or data analytics.
• Ability to be a self-starter, take initiative, and work independently to establish the organization’s initial communications framework.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Strategic and entrepreneurial: Able to design a long-term vision while being comfortable executing day-to-day tasks personally.
• Excellent writer and storyteller who can translate early strategy and emerging learning into clear, accessible, and nuanced messages.
• Ability to communicate complex social, economic, or service systems with credibility and humility – translating them into clear, human-centered narratives.
• Strong strategic thinking, project management, and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Collaborative leadership style; ability to work effectively with executives, board members, program staff, grantees, and external partners.
• Deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful representation of communities most affected by the RLD Foundation’s focus areas.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and with people who hold diverse perspectives.
• Flexibility, commitment to teamwork, curiosity, and a sense of humor.
• Capacity to work amicably in a small office with high volume of work, as well as a deep sense of responsibility and accountability.
• A record of recognizing and acting on opportunities to continuously improve.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

The Communications Manager will report directly to the Executive Director. Currently, the Communications Manager does not have any direct reports but will be responsible for managing external vendors and future hires, as approved.

LOCATION

The RLD Foundation office is located in Chicago’s Loop. Occasional travel outside of Chicago may be expected and may include participation in professional conferences.

Please note RLD Foundation maintains a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to work in the office three days a week with occasional additional days as necessary.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

RLD Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to recruit and retain highly competent individuals for its staff. It is RLD Foundation’s policy to recognize the potential of each employee without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status or family, or socio-economic backgrounds.  This policy shall apply to all phases of the employment relationship.  All applicants will be evaluated on a merit basis.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

RLD Foundation conducts background checks prior to all hires.

WORKING AT RLD FOUNDATION

Working at RLD Foundation means becoming part of a talented team of passionate individuals who value inclusivity and innovation, are dedicated to RLD Foundation’s mission and values. Candidates who possess flexibility, maturity, vision, personal fortitude, and a sense of humor will find it a pleasure to work here.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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.  Ability to sit at a computer terminal for long periods of time, ability to be physically in attendance at workstation at a designated company office location during normal business hours designated for the position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, handle, and feel.