Marketing and Communications Manager

Overview

JOB TITLE: Marketing and Communications Manager

REPORTS TO: Chief Marketing and Communications 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 are a leading voice for child welfare, human trafficking response, foster care innovation, and trauma-informed care in Illinois. Our mission is to end the cycle of abuse and neglect by providing safe, healthy, and stable lives for children and families.

We are committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgrounds and identities. We strive to create an environment that supports all employees, honoring all experiences and perspectives. Shelter and its facilities are drug and smoke-free environments. Learn more at shelter-inc.org.

Shelter encourages bilingual applicants to work with our client community. Applicants who 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 leads integrated marketing and communications efforts to strengthen awareness, engagement, and support. This role exercises independent judgment, sets day-to-day priorities for Marketing & Communications operations, and contributes to organizational strategy, fundraising performance, and public positioning.

Reporting to the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, the Manager provides direct supervision 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. The Manager collaborates with Development, Programs, HR, and Outreach to support fundraising campaigns, recruitment efforts, and organizational initiatives, amplifying Shelter's voice and impact.

• 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 and fundraising goals, including mass grassroots donor acquisition and retention, 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 identify risks, gaps, and opportunities related to messaging, timing, and audience engagement.

• Content Creation & Brand Stewardship
• Partner with the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer to oversee Shelter's content strategy, ensuring consistent, high-quality storytelling across platforms and audiences.
• Review and approve key communications to align 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 content including newsletters, social media, website updates, press releases, and collateral.
• Elevate 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 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…