Open Opportunities

The primary goal of this position is to develop and implement the strategy for marketing and communication initiatives across Disability Lead

‍Reports to: Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives

About Disability Lead

Disability Lead is a network of people with disabilities who use our power to create an equitable and inclusive society. Our vision is that people with disabilities will lead with power and influence for full participation and equal opportunity as a vital part of the civic fabric in the Chicago region. And our mission is to increase civic engagement and diverse leadership in the Chicago region by developing and building a network of leaders with disabilities — consistent with the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Alongside our Network, we lead with our disability identity to pursue our vision with a voracious belief that creating a more equitable and inclusive society matters and is an obligation of everyone. We believe our disabilities are an asset and that we are most powerful when we are represented by an intersectional voice. We believe our leaders will change the world by delivering disability justice. And our leaders can and will create solutions for our most intractable social problems because they are inherently disability issues.

To feel engaged, connected, and empowered to make a difference, we know our employees must feel valued. We strive to build a culture where inclusion is are flex, not a nice idea. This includes providing accommodations through every phase including application, hiring, onboarding, and working day to day. We strive to create a place where employees can come and feel a deep sense of pride, passion and belonging that transcends any role and is unified in our shared commitment to supporting new leaders and improving our region’s civic life. We hold to be self-evident that creating a space where different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds can come together to build something new, that we can create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers results as unique as our program (the only one of its kind in the nation).

Position Description

Disability Lead seeks someone with a passion for developing communications and marketing initiatives that will establish a culture of opportunity and change, and create a more equitable and inclusive society for individuals with disabilities. At Disability Lead, marketing is about engaging our communities in content and opportunities that will propel disability leadership forward. The Marketing and Communications Manager will create and execute the marketing strategy including social media management, blog curation, event support, and content writing and editing. The position will work collaboratively throughout the organization and closely with the Programs Coordinator to fulfill all marketing and communication needs. The ideal candidate has experience in developing and executing marketing campaigns, growing brand awareness, and supporting cross-organizational marketing needs. This position is a full-time salaried position. This position reports to the Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives and works closely with all team members at Disability Lead. As the organization continues to grow, the Marketing and Communications Manager’s responsibilities will grow alongside their team.

NOTE: This is a remote work position; however, in-person work is required as needed. Disability Lead programs are largely virtual, with occasional events and meetings in Chicago, IL. Disability Lead provides employees with equipment that is essential to their job duties, like laptops, headsets, monitors, and docking stations. In addition, and as budget allows, Disability Lead will provide a stipend to help cover the costs of telecommunications (internet, phone, etc).

 Key Responsibilities 

1. Marketing Strategy: Develops overall strategy and plan for key marketing areas
   • Closely aligns work across the organization in marketing creation and content
   • Conduct research and analysis to guide marketing strategies including audience segmentation, messaging, and channel optimization
   • Project manages streams of work alongside team members and consultants
   • Design metrics to assess marketing strategies and campaigns for reach and ROI
   • Identify target audiences and craft key messages to effectively communicate initiatives and priorities
   • Maintain data integrity through accurate and consistent data management in marketing platforms including CRM, email marketing platform, social media, website analytics etc.
2. Content Development: Produce compelling content that educates, informs, and inspires action. Showcase the impact of Disability Lead’s mission and programs.
   • Manages all content design, curation, and creation
   • Creates and edits original content using photography, videography, graphic design, and writing skills
   • Maintains website content inclusive of our Blog (called Stories on our website)
   • Coordinates and writes email marketing campaigns that share crucial updates, invitations, and opportunities
3. Social media strategy: Lead the organization's social media strategy
   • Leverages social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube) to reach target audiences and meet outreach goals
   • Sets clear goals and objectives and evaluates the effectiveness of social media efforts in achieving them
4. Campaign Management: Plan, execute and measure innovative marketing campaigns  
   • Promotes Disability Leads programs, services, and other brand initiatives
   • Coordinates with cross-functional teams to ensure campaigns are delivered on time, within budget, and meet objectives
   • Measures the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and provide analytics to management team
5. Brand Management: Maintain Disability Lead’s brand identity, including its messaging, positioning, and visual elements.  
   • Ensures consistency in branding across all communications channels and materials to build trust and credibility with stakeholders
   • Develops and execute strategies to effectively convey the brand’s message, values and personality to the target audience
6. Programs Support: Supports activities for audience creation and engagement
   • Leads outreach activities, including community events (Disability Power Series), recruitment activities, and other communication opportunities
   • Supports events (in-person and virtual) that bring our Network together
7. Fundraising: Plan and execute marketing campaigns to drive fundraising efforts
   • Partners with the development team to support key solicitations like annual appeals, annual report, sponsorship brochures, and donor content
   • Measures the effectiveness of executed marketing campaigns on fundraising efforts and provide analytics to management team
8. Internal communications: Ensure effective communication within the organization
   • Keeps staff informed about key initiatives, updates and organizational achievement
   • Through compelling communications fosters a culture of transparency, collaboration and shared purpose among team members

Basic Qualifications

• Curated and wrote narrative pieces like blogs and annual reports
• Proven track record in digital marketing including social media content creation and messaging that is creative and tailored to resonate with the target audience
• Strong understanding of marketing tools like CRM, email content builders, Canva

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in marketing, communications, or related roles.
• Strong interest in making a significant contribution to a disability leadership organization. 
• Strong social justice lens in all aspects of work. 
• A deep commitment to the values of the organization and a passion for the mission.
• Solid independent worker and multi-tasker who enjoys working in a small and collaborative team environment. 
• Strong project management, multitasking, and decision-making skills
• Goals-driven marketing mind with an eye for creativity and design experience
• Excellent command of the English language. Outstanding grammar, proofreading, and written communication skills. 
• Experience with social media platforms and how to leverage them to engage and activate audiences.
• Experience with databases and understands and extensively utilizes the database that contains outreach records.
• Experience managing virtual events and use of technology and platforms like Zoom. 
• Familiarity with designing an accessible event (in person and virtual). 
• Experience managing and developing a small team.

Salary and Benefits 

Disability Lead offers a competitive salary and benefits package that meets industry standards. The pay range is $75,000-$80,000 annually. Pay is commensurate with knowledge and experience.

Disability Lead follows a flexible remote schedule to reflect the needs of our employees. Unlimited flex time is available for healthcare needs and does not count toward vacation, sick, or other personal days off. Benefits include health insurance that is largely organization-supported, free vision and dental insurance, paid vacation, personal days, and sick days. Disability Lead provides a Simple IRA with up to 3% matching should employees contribute. All employees of Disability Lead are encouraged to pursue educational and professional development goals. Disability Lead may provide financial support, time off, or flextime for development opportunities.

Application process

It is the policy of Disability Lead to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants to employment. Disability Lead prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, and age, physical and mental disabilities, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, order of protection status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local laws.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position has been filled. Ideally, the position will be filled in July 2024.

Applications must include the below materials to be considered. Please include your full name in the subject line of the email.

Interested individuals must submit the following materials to application@disabilitylead.org:

• Cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Current resume
• Two writing samples of past material you have written, ideally one longer form piece and one shorter form piece like social media copy
• Contact information for 3 professional references 

For questions regarding this announcement, or to request accommodations to participate in the application process, please contact application@disabilitylead.org.