Community Engagement and Marketing Manager

Chicago Area Runners Association

About Chicago Area Runners Association:

Since 1978 the Chicago Area Runners Association -- CARA, a not-for-profit has been dedicated to running in Chicago and suburbs. Starting as an advocacy based organization, CARA has grown into the nation’s third largest local running organization, and one that championed the running movement across Chicagoland. Our mission is to help runners run better, farther, faster for life – through a wealth of social, training, racing, outreach and advocacy programs, while promoting friendships and personal fulfillment.

http://www.cararuns.org


Position Details

Community Engagement and Marketing Manager
Job
Full-time
7/17/2017
Chicago Illinois
Chicago, IL

The Community Engagement and Marketing Manager will be a key external face and voice for the organization, responsible for engaging our members and the community. This person should possess excellent relationship building skills, creativity, an outgoing personality, and be skilled and experienced in organizing grassroots and community events.

The position’s responsibilities are as follows:

Marketing

  • Develop a communications plan and calendar for all of the organization’s communications.
  • Create, design and execute (or support the execution) the organization’s communications and marketing activations.
  • Manage assigned content on the organization’s website.
  • Manage and oversee all of the organization’s social media accounts.
  • Insure that the organization’s brand identity remains consistent and as intended in communications, social media, e-mails, marketing, printed materials and apparel. Assist staff with developing consistent branding and messaging.
  • Create content that features the organization’s mission, members, programming and events for use in communications.
  • Assist the Director of Partnerships as needed with sponsorship marketing activations.
  • Develop and execute a plan to track success of marketing efforts.

Community Relations

  • Actively seek out opportunities to represent the organization at events, fun runs, community meetings, charity team events, expos, etc.
  • Manage the organization’s member based Ambassadors program that provides volunteer representatives for the organization at events, expos, etc.
  • Serve as the organization’s primary media contact, promoting stories to media on the organization.
  • Coordinate opportunities for appearances, public speaking and media opportunities for the organization’s staff, board members and member leaders. Assists those persons with messaging and insure that a consistent message and brand is communicated by the organization.
  • Manage the organization’s public relations duties, staying connected to local news and causes related to the organization and providing support or responses as needed.

Events and Engagement

  • Develop, organize and manage the execution of member and community focused events and activities that support the organizations social, advocacy, and fundraising goals.
  • Serve as the organizations volunteer coordinator for programs and events as assigned, working with program and event staff to recruit, fill and communicate with volunteers and volunteer groups.

Other:

  • Be responsible for budgets for assigned areas.
  • Provide support as needed for CARA general operations, programs and events.
  • Oversee assigned related interns or part-time staff.
  • Participate as a staff lead on related member committees.

The ideal candidate possesses these skills:

  • Passion and commitment to the Chicago Area Runners Association’s mission and the running community 
  • High energy ‘people person’ with a demonstrated passion for delighting members and partners 
  • Attention to detail, organized, punctual, appetite for learning 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills 
  • Professional and ability to remain calm under pressure and stress 
  • Experienced with function and best practices for social media methods (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, etc.) 
  • Understanding of web site content management platforms, html knowledge a plus 
  • Able to complete basic video editing (imovie or similar) 
  • Experience organizing and promoting events, preferably in the running industry 
  • Good team player, leadership skills 
  • Willingness to support load-in and load-out process for events including lifting items up to 40 pounds 
  • Access to reliable transportation and possess a valid driver’s license and have a clean driving record over the past 10 years with no history of DUI conviction 
  • History participating in running events 
  • Strong understanding and experience in the Chicago running community a plus 
  • Relationships with Chicago media contacts a plus 
  • Bachelors degree or commensurate experience

General: This role reports directly to the Executive Director. The position will be based out of our Chicago West Loop office. The position is salaried (based on experience) with benefits. Due to the nature and timing of running events this person should expect to regularly work outside of standard business hours, including mornings, evenings and weekends. Relocation expenses not provided.



« Back