Marketing and Communications Specialist

We exist so families can get better together. Each night, we keep 181 families close to the care and resources they need through six area Ronald McDonald Houses® and four Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®. Enabling families to stay close to their hospitalized child supports the health and well-being of the child and saves families more than $10 million in hotel and food costs each year. We also operate the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® program, providing medical care to children in underserved areas. Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

The Marketing & Communications Specialist supports the development and execution of marketing and communications initiatives that advance Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana’s mission, strengthen engagement, and support fundraising and organizational priorities. 

A collaborative, hands-on marketing generalist and content creator, the Specialist works with Marketing & Communications colleagues and teams across the organization to help bring campaigns, events, partnerships and stories to life. 

The position has a strong focus on Signature Event and Corporate Partner marketing support, while also contributing to writing and storytelling, graphic design, social media, photography, video and other content needs. 

Essential Job Functions

Signature Event & Fundraising Marketing 

• Support marketing and communications for Signature Events and other fundraising initiatives in partnership with Development colleagues. 
• Coordinate the development and delivery of event materials, collateral, signage, presentations, digital assets, sponsor recognition and promotional materials. 
• Maintain project timelines and track assigned event marketing deliverables, approvals, production and delivery. 
• Work with internal colleagues and external vendors to execute event marketing needs. 
• Attend Signature Events and select third-party events to provide on-site marketing support and capture content. 

Corporate Partner Marketing Support 

• Create and coordinate digital and print assets, signage, presentations, toolkits and promotional materials. 
• Support cause-marketing, employee engagement, fundraising and awareness initiatives. 

Writing, Storytelling & Content Development 

• Help identify and develop stories featuring families, volunteers, donors, partners and programs. 
• Write and edit content for newsletters, website, social media, presentations, fundraising and stewardship communications, events, and partner needs. 
• Work with colleagues to ensure stories and content are accurate, respectful and aligned with Ronald McDonald House brand and messaging. 
• Support maintenance of the organization’s story and content library. 

Creative & Digital Content 

• Create on-brand marketing materials and digital content using Canva and other design tools. 
• Develop graphics and visual assets for social media, presentations, events, email, website and partner initiatives. 
• Capture photography and video at program locations, events and other settings. 
• Edit photos and short-form video for social media and digital communications. 
• Support social media content development and publishing as assigned. 

Project Coordination & Collaboration 

• Coordinate assigned marketing projects and deliverables, helping ensure work is accurate and completed on time. 
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications, Development, Community Engagement, Programs and other teams on campaigns and initiatives. 
• Maintain clear communication regarding project needs, timelines, approvals and deliverables. 
• Balance planned priorities with emerging and time-sensitive needs. 
• Ensure work follows Ronald McDonald House Global and local brand, messaging and visual identity standards. 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Represent Marketing & Communications at selected organizational, partner and community events. 
• Support public relations, media relations and organizational communications initiatives as needed. 
• Stay current on relevant marketing, content and social media trends. 
• Support other Marketing & Communications priorities as assigned. 

Education & Experience 

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, English or a related field preferred. 
• 2–5 years of marketing, communications, content or related experience. 
• Experience coordinating multiple projects and deadlines. 
• Experience with events, fundraising, corporate partnerships or nonprofit marketing preferred. 
• Experience developing content for print and digital channels. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Strong writing, editing and storytelling skills. 
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with attention to detail. 
• Working knowledge of Canva and the ability to create polished, on-brand materials. 
• Photography and video capture/editing skills for social media and digital channels. 
• Collaborative, service-oriented approach and ability to work effectively across teams. 
• Ability to manage changing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365; familiarity with project management/collaboration platforms. 
• Familiarity with website CMS, email marketing and social media platforms preferred. 
• Commitment to organization’s mission, values and approach to caring for families. 

Work Environment 

• Ability to travel throughout the Chicagoland area to program sites, events and partner locations as needed. 
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend events. 
• Regular and predictable attendance is required. 
• Other responsibilities may be assigned based on organizational needs. 

Physical Abilities that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Light sedentary office work. Frequently required to sit
• Ability to travel to other program sites or events as needed
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel; talk or hear.
• Must be physically capable of carrying 35 lbs.

Positions scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Basic Life, Short-term, and long-term disability, voluntary employee/spouse/child life insurance
• Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, and Commuter Benefit Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k)
• PTO
• This position is annual bonus eligible with a bonus rate of up to 5%

At Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, and we welcome and will consider applications for employment from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, individuals with disabilities, pregnancy, marital status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.

Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact [email protected]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.