Cabrini Green Legal Aid
About Cabrini Green Legal Aid
As one of the most respected organizations working to dismantle barriers to equity for individuals impacted by the criminal legal system, Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) is widely recognized for its legal expertise, advocacy leadership, and deep-rooted community presence.
CGLA seeks a seasoned Communications Manager to grow and nurture the communications department, bringing structure, tactical support, and forward momentum to an essential but underutilized area. This position operates under the supervision of the Director of Strategic Advocacy and is responsible for CGLA’s organizational communications. This role works closely with
CGLA’s Executive Director, organizers, legal, policy, and development staff on advocacy projects and campaigns in support of CGLA’s integrated advocacy model.
The Communications Manager will play a critical role in amplifying CGLA’s efforts to remove barriers to equity—such as permanent punishments that impact housing, employment, and education—faced by our clients and community. The Communications Manager will lead the development and execution of organizational communications strategies. While this role does not currently include supervision of staff, the Communications Manager may manage the work of volunteers, interns, and consultants. Additionally, this role offers significant professional growth opportunities and may potentially encompass management of staff as the department expands.
Position Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Strategic Communications
Create multi-faceted, both short and long-term, communications plans and strategies which include goals, target audiences, messaging, and earned media and digital tactics, to advocate, educate, motivate, and influence target audiences on key CGLA issues and coalition campaigns Participate in integrated advocacy by working with cross-functional teams (Executive Director, legal, advocacy, organizing, development) to shape communications plans for CGLA initiatives to maximize their communications value and effectiveness, as well as the overall visibility of CGLA.
Media Relations
Prepare staff, volunteers, and other spokespeople for media appearances on behalf of the organization. Build and sustain constructive working relationships with key individuals—reporters, producers, and editors—at print, television, and digital media outlets throughout Chicago. Draft op-eds, targeted pitches, press releases, letters to the editor, statements, briefings, message guidance, fact sheets, and other materials to secure and support media coverage of major CGLA initiatives and to raise the organization’s profile. Act as a CGLA spokesperson when necessary.
Digital Media
Oversee digital presence, including social media channels, paid media content, website, emails, and digital action alerts. Manage social media platforms, creating and curating content, monitoring trends, and analyzing campaign performance. Create and develop content that is accurate, compelling, up-to-date, and results in measurable action. Oversee and maintain the website to achieve a user-friendly and efficient website and bank of resources. Design and manage graphic elements consistent with CGLA branding for social media and beyond. Utilize campaign messaging tools such as EveryAction, Impactiv, Soapboxx, and others to amplify stories and calls to action that compel people to act in support of CGLA's policy agenda.
Writing, Editing, And Message Development
Draft, edit, and produce compelling press releases, publications, opinion pieces, and talking points for various CGLA issue areas and priorities. Responsibly and thoughtfully tell the story of the CGLA’s mission through compelling, effective, and values-based narratives that center people impacted by our issues. Provide technical and editing support for annual reports, web content, and print materials, such as brochures. Work intra- and interdepartmentally to produce email messaging, action alerts to engage CGLA supporters, and materials to increase public engagement at events.
Reporting and administrative duties:
Maintain well-organized and up-to-date files and records. Track information and provide timely, clear reports on communications or other organizational activities, and complete and execute work plans.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging:
Be an active contributor to the organization and policy and organizing teams efforts to think creatively, ambitiously, and openly about how our program can better integrate equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging into our day-to-day operations as well as our goals, plans and work with Leadership Council and community partners.
Qualifications
Desired qualifications are described below. Consideration will be given to individuals who may not meet the listed qualifications but demonstrate strong skills, knowledge, and potential.
5 years of professional experience in a communications, marketing, public relations, or journalism role. Preferred Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field. Demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision, and goals of CGLA and a collaborative mindset. Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including ability to write clean, compelling copy on deadline for a variety of digital formats and audiences, and to adapt talking points and messaging into both breaking news and longer-term campaigns. A creative and strategic thinker with a passion for stories that move public opinion. Ability to distill complicated issues into values-based, human-centered narratives that inspire action. A talent for creating clean and compelling designs in line with CGLA’s brand guidelines. Experience with all aspects of digital media, including Facebook, X, Instagram, and website content management systems. Avid consumer of news and information with ability to analyze and synthesize ideas and facts quickly and cogently. Excellent interpersonal skills, time management skills, high attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects daily. Experience working on electoral or issue-based advocacy campaigns is not required but preferred. Ability to attend in-person meetings and events.
Cultural Responsibility:
Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. A complex understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Proven track record of working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender and other identities and experiences including record of arrest or conviction.
Required Hours
40 hours/week. Daily work is to be conducted between 9:00am to 5:00pm M-F, with frequent community events on weekends and evenings (attending between one and three “after hours” events per week is typical). Flexing hours to maintain an overall 40-hour workweek is expected.
Physical Requirements
Sit for long periods of time. Speak clearly so listeners can understand. Understand the speech of another person. Must be able to work in a stressful work environment. The employee is regularly required to sit, walk, talk, read, see, and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to type, handle, or feel and reach. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. This position will occasionally include 12-hour days spent on one's feet, hauling materials, and lifting large loads in and out of vehicles.
Travel Requirements
A valid driver’s license and consistent access to personal transportation is required for this position. Occasional travel to events across Illinois, legislative advocacy opportunities in Springfield, and out-of-state conferences will be required.
Benefits
We offer a generous benefits plan that includes Blue Cross Blue Shield - Health insurance, Vision Service Plan – Vision insurance, Principal Dental insurance and 100% employer paid life insurance, (EAP) Employee Assistance Program, Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending accounts, Pet insurance, Pre-Tax Programs for parking, local transit for Ventra and Metra and Uber Pool, and Vanguard 403(b) retirement matching. Additionally, CGLA offers generous Paid Time-off, Floating Holidays and 15 paid holidays per year. During the summer months we celebrate Summer Fridays by closing the office early.
CGLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.
The Pay Range For This Role Is
70,000 - 78,000 USD per year(Chicago) #J-18808-Ljbffr
As one of the most respected organizations working to dismantle barriers to equity for individuals impacted by the criminal legal system, Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) is widely recognized for its legal expertise, advocacy leadership, and deep-rooted community presence.
CGLA seeks a seasoned Communications Manager to grow and nurture the communications department, bringing structure, tactical support, and forward momentum to an essential but underutilized area. This position operates under the supervision of the Director of Strategic Advocacy and is responsible for CGLA’s organizational communications. This role works closely with
CGLA’s Executive Director, organizers, legal, policy, and development staff on advocacy projects and campaigns in support of CGLA’s integrated advocacy model.
The Communications Manager will play a critical role in amplifying CGLA’s efforts to remove barriers to equity—such as permanent punishments that impact housing, employment, and education—faced by our clients and community. The Communications Manager will lead the development and execution of organizational communications strategies. While this role does not currently include supervision of staff, the Communications Manager may manage the work of volunteers, interns, and consultants. Additionally, this role offers significant professional growth opportunities and may potentially encompass management of staff as the department expands.
Position Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Strategic Communications
Create multi-faceted, both short and long-term, communications plans and strategies which include goals, target audiences, messaging, and earned media and digital tactics, to advocate, educate, motivate, and influence target audiences on key CGLA issues and coalition campaigns Participate in integrated advocacy by working with cross-functional teams (Executive Director, legal, advocacy, organizing, development) to shape communications plans for CGLA initiatives to maximize their communications value and effectiveness, as well as the overall visibility of CGLA.
Media Relations
Prepare staff, volunteers, and other spokespeople for media appearances on behalf of the organization. Build and sustain constructive working relationships with key individuals—reporters, producers, and editors—at print, television, and digital media outlets throughout Chicago. Draft op-eds, targeted pitches, press releases, letters to the editor, statements, briefings, message guidance, fact sheets, and other materials to secure and support media coverage of major CGLA initiatives and to raise the organization’s profile. Act as a CGLA spokesperson when necessary.
Digital Media
Oversee digital presence, including social media channels, paid media content, website, emails, and digital action alerts. Manage social media platforms, creating and curating content, monitoring trends, and analyzing campaign performance. Create and develop content that is accurate, compelling, up-to-date, and results in measurable action. Oversee and maintain the website to achieve a user-friendly and efficient website and bank of resources. Design and manage graphic elements consistent with CGLA branding for social media and beyond. Utilize campaign messaging tools such as EveryAction, Impactiv, Soapboxx, and others to amplify stories and calls to action that compel people to act in support of CGLA's policy agenda.
Writing, Editing, And Message Development
Draft, edit, and produce compelling press releases, publications, opinion pieces, and talking points for various CGLA issue areas and priorities. Responsibly and thoughtfully tell the story of the CGLA’s mission through compelling, effective, and values-based narratives that center people impacted by our issues. Provide technical and editing support for annual reports, web content, and print materials, such as brochures. Work intra- and interdepartmentally to produce email messaging, action alerts to engage CGLA supporters, and materials to increase public engagement at events.
Reporting and administrative duties:
Maintain well-organized and up-to-date files and records. Track information and provide timely, clear reports on communications or other organizational activities, and complete and execute work plans.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging:
Be an active contributor to the organization and policy and organizing teams efforts to think creatively, ambitiously, and openly about how our program can better integrate equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging into our day-to-day operations as well as our goals, plans and work with Leadership Council and community partners.
Qualifications
Desired qualifications are described below. Consideration will be given to individuals who may not meet the listed qualifications but demonstrate strong skills, knowledge, and potential.
5 years of professional experience in a communications, marketing, public relations, or journalism role. Preferred Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field. Demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision, and goals of CGLA and a collaborative mindset. Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including ability to write clean, compelling copy on deadline for a variety of digital formats and audiences, and to adapt talking points and messaging into both breaking news and longer-term campaigns. A creative and strategic thinker with a passion for stories that move public opinion. Ability to distill complicated issues into values-based, human-centered narratives that inspire action. A talent for creating clean and compelling designs in line with CGLA’s brand guidelines. Experience with all aspects of digital media, including Facebook, X, Instagram, and website content management systems. Avid consumer of news and information with ability to analyze and synthesize ideas and facts quickly and cogently. Excellent interpersonal skills, time management skills, high attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects daily. Experience working on electoral or issue-based advocacy campaigns is not required but preferred. Ability to attend in-person meetings and events.
Cultural Responsibility:
Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. A complex understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Proven track record of working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender and other identities and experiences including record of arrest or conviction.
Required Hours
40 hours/week. Daily work is to be conducted between 9:00am to 5:00pm M-F, with frequent community events on weekends and evenings (attending between one and three “after hours” events per week is typical). Flexing hours to maintain an overall 40-hour workweek is expected.
Physical Requirements
Sit for long periods of time. Speak clearly so listeners can understand. Understand the speech of another person. Must be able to work in a stressful work environment. The employee is regularly required to sit, walk, talk, read, see, and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to type, handle, or feel and reach. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. This position will occasionally include 12-hour days spent on one's feet, hauling materials, and lifting large loads in and out of vehicles.
Travel Requirements
A valid driver’s license and consistent access to personal transportation is required for this position. Occasional travel to events across Illinois, legislative advocacy opportunities in Springfield, and out-of-state conferences will be required.
Benefits
We offer a generous benefits plan that includes Blue Cross Blue Shield - Health insurance, Vision Service Plan – Vision insurance, Principal Dental insurance and 100% employer paid life insurance, (EAP) Employee Assistance Program, Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending accounts, Pet insurance, Pre-Tax Programs for parking, local transit for Ventra and Metra and Uber Pool, and Vanguard 403(b) retirement matching. Additionally, CGLA offers generous Paid Time-off, Floating Holidays and 15 paid holidays per year. During the summer months we celebrate Summer Fridays by closing the office early.
CGLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.
The Pay Range For This Role Is
70,000 - 78,000 USD per year(Chicago) #J-18808-Ljbffr