This position is for an experienced and versatile communications professional who can manage communications projects for clients, provide communications support to Metro Strategies’ project teams and contribute to Metro Strategies’ marketing and communications activities.
The successful candidate will have strong writing and communication skills with the ability to generate strategic ideas and create engaging and effective content with proven results. He/she should have experience and expertise in print and digital/multi-media communications, social media and digital marketing strategies. Metro Strategies has offices in Downers Grove and Chicago and services clients in the Tri-State region. The primary location for this position is Downers Grove. The Communications Manager is expected to exemplify the firm’s core values of leadership, problem-solving, accountability, professionalism, and continued personal and professional growth.
Key Duties: Project-based Communications - Manages a variety of communications projects for the firm’s clients, including delivery, scope, schedule, and budget; provides direction and oversight to project associates.
- Manages planning and implementation for communications projects:
o Develops outreach and communication plans and campaigns. o Provides strategy direction, incorporating creative and innovative technology, tools and techniques to effectively reach audiences and achieve desired outcomes. o Develops and produces content and materials (reports, press releases, fact sheets, surveys, talking points, newsletters, articles, websites, speeches, scripts, presentations, videos). o Manages social media. o Manages media relations. o Plans and facilitates events (media briefings, groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, stakeholder meetings). o Develops and maintains project style guide and branding. o Ensures firm and client’s QA/QC processes are implemented and followed ensuring quality of all project deliverables.
- Researches and recommends innovative strategies with a focus on digital/multi-media and visual storytelling. - Manages prime consultant and client communications and expectations and solves project/client/staff issues as they arise.
Firm Marketing and Communications - Contributes to the development and implementation of the firm’s marketing and business development plan, including writing and producing content for marketing and communications activities. - Provides creative ideas and strategies for firm marketing. - Contributes to the development and production of proposals, including creating graphics and visuals. - Assists in management of social media content and platforms. - Contributes content to firm’s web site and firm newsletter. - Assists in maintaining firm brand/style guide/voice. - Monitors and identifies opportunities for conferences, panels, presentations, expos, awards, journal publications, sponsorships, and potential business development and potential clients. - Performs other duties as requested by the VP, Communications.
Required Skills: - Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Experience with Microsoft Office 365/SharePoint is a plus. - Experience with graphic design software (Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent). - Experience with basic video production (shooting/editing) a plus. - Excellent verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. - Excellent writing and grammar skills, as well as strong editing and proofreading skills. - Excellent multi-tasking, time management and organizational skills. - Strong project and people management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects. - Ability to organize and prioritize work under pressure with tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail. - Self-motivated with a “can do” attitude; proactive, a team player and solution-oriented. - Infrastructure or local government experience a plus. - Minimum of five years of professional communications experience. - Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or a related field.
About Metro Strategies, Inc.
Metro Strategies is a policy, planning and public affairs firm with public, private and nonprofit clients. We provide project management, community outreach and public involvement, issue advocacy strategies, research and policy development, project planning, and grant writing services to a wide range of clients predominantly in the field of infrastructure and transportation.
Our core values of leadership, accountability, problem-solving, professionalism, and personal and professional growth are projected by each staff member and are brought to each and every engagement. We approach our projects through our client’s lens, becoming a vested partner in the project’s outcome and success. We are committed to advancing the mission and goals of our clients by providing unique approaches, strong project management skills, effective communication techniques, and best practice recommendations. We are continually learning and growing to stay on top of emerging ideas, issues and trends in order to provide new ideas and solutions to our clients.
We look for outstanding individuals to add to our team that project and exemplify our values and approach.
Metro Strategies is an equal oppo...rtunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
