Marketing Manager

JOB TITLE:

Marketing Manager

REPORTS TO:

Chief Marketing Officer

LOCATION:

Hybrid - Shelter Youth & Family Services headquarters in Arlington Heights, IL

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Oversee Shelter's social media and digital engagement strategy, setting goals for growth, reach, and engagement.
• Leverage digital channels to support audience growth,…