Job Summary: The Frances Xavier Warde School (FXW) is looking for a marketing communications manager who is passionate, proactive, digitally savvy with web experience and content, willing and able to be part of a high-energy, faced-paced, mission-driven team. This position also supports the Children at the Crossroads Foundation (CATC) which is the School’s foundation focused solely on the support of scholarships for students attending FXW. Success in this role means you excel in a collaborative environment and are comfortable bringing together multiple points of view. This position is responsible for increasing the awareness of the FXW and CATC brand while deepening stakeholder engagement with the School. The primary areas of focus will include: oversight of all communication platforms including content, customized messaging for various School functions and events, creation of new and exciting partnership opportunities, and achieving the goals set for the communication and marketing initiatives.
This is a great opportunity for an individual interested in using their creativity, communication skills and energy to create and enhance brand awareness for Chicago’s largest Pre-school through Grade 8 Independent School.
Division of Job Duties
40% – technical
20% – project management
40% – content writing, editing, implementation
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
Supports all communication efforts in the day-to-day management and implementation of marketing, public relations, communications, and donor engagement strategies that include email & web content, social media to deliver effective donor, parent, and alumni experiences.
Oversees all content in day-to-day communication, web and social media content planning, authoring, coordination, reviews, edits and launch of digital campaigns, initiatives, and programs.
Works in partnership with the Director of Advancement to amplify FXW and CATC efforts donor-funded initiatives and events through digital marketing including city advertising/promotion. In addition, this position works collaboratively with the DOA to plan and implement donor engagement through active email campaigns, social media and print outreach.
Perform website updates, content management, project management and other digital activities related to the marketing and donor journey strategies.
Experience with CRM platforms and best practices and tools like Google Analytics, as well as web publishing tools like WordPress.
Ensures that the School, volunteer partners, and vendors follow the FXW and CATC brand and style guidelines.
Support web and social analytics for donor reporting and recognition. Knowledge of third-party social publishing tools like Sprout Social.
Hosts and manages logistics for virtual meetings/events for FXW hosted activities.
Supports meetings by preparing meeting presentations and visual assets. Coordinates with staff to manage their needs for presentation materials.
Desired Skill Set
Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Journalism, Communications, or related degree highly desired. With three to five plus experience managing digital projects (web and social)
Excellent project management skills and proven ability to deliver results in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
Knowledge of content management systems WordPress
Knowledge of social publishing tools like SproutSocial a plus
Basic understanding of web, design and image assets – from a variety of image types
Familiarity with basic video editing programs like WeVideo is a plus
Excellent copy editing and fact-checking skills
Excellent analytical skills with experience in turning data into actionable insights and recommendations
Knowledge of search experience optimization reports, best practices, and tools
A plus if you have familiarity with:
Working in database system similar to Veracross and Google analytics to interpret the data to support digital content discussions with key business partners.
Versed in techniques and approaches using HTML, CSS design, cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility, responsive design
Additional Job Requirements
Employee must be able to support philosophy and mission of the Board of Trustees and Head of School.
Ability to work with all levels of the FXW community from students to Board of Trustee’s
Ability to manage and maintain sensitive and confidential school, student and parent information
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
Proven ability to produce high-quality results in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
Strong project management skills, including the ability to take initiative, work independently, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and handle multiple projects at once.
Attendance at all FXW Advancement events is mandatory.
Other duties as assigned by the DOA and Head of School.
Qualifications/Skills Needed
Bachelor’s degree required.
3-5 years of work experience in development or related field.
Must be computer literate and proficient in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, InDesign preferred but not required.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Hours of work may vary Sunday through Saturday and are structured in eight (8) hour blocks of time, but they may be subject to include evenings and weekends as required for the departments or School’s needs.
About The Frances Xavier Warde School
The Frances Xavier Warde School is a Catholic elementary school in downtown Chicago that provides an excellent academic, values-oriented education to students of all ethnic, religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in a child-centered urban environment. As a keystone of its diverse community, The Frances Xavier Warde School provides need-based scholarships to thirty percent of its students. The Frances Xavier Warde School partners with its families, nurtures faith development for its Catholic students, and engages all its students to learn about and respect other faith traditions. The Frances Xavier Warde School uses a rigorous curriculum that enables students to grow, clarify their values, and develop decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility for themselves and the world they will inherit.