📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Marketing & Communications Manager
🔹 Company: LAWNDALE EDUCATIONAL AND REGIONAL NETWORK CHARTER SCHOOL
🔹 Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Education
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-14
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading day-to-day communications efforts across digital and print platforms
- Managing content production and supporting student and talent recruitment campaigns
- Collaborating with internal teams to improve internal communications and foster staff engagement
- Partnering with school leaders and staff to capture compelling stories, visuals, and testimonials
- Liaising with external vendors, including photographers, videographers, and designers
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication, project management, and collaboration skills. The ideal candidate will have experience in marketing or communications, preferably in the education or nonprofit sector.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Internal Communications: Partner with HR to improve internal communications, produce staff newsletters, and work closely with school leaders to capture student success stories.
✅ External Communications: Develop and implement a marketing and communications calendar, produce external communications, manage social media accounts, and maintain the LEARN website.
✅ Student Enrollment and Talent Recruitment Marketing: Collaborate with internal teams to support marketing and communication needs related to student and talent recruitment and retention, and track communication metrics.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field.
Experience: 3+ years of experience in marketing or communications, preferably in the education or nonprofit sector.
Required Skills:
- Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills
- Strong project management skills
- Ability to create and manage content for websites, social media, newsletters, and digital platforms
- Experience with tools such as WordPress, Form Assembly, Canva, and Constant Contact
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the education or nonprofit sector
- Fluency in Spanish or other languages
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, experience in the education or nonprofit sector is highly preferred for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $55,000 - $70,000 (Based on industry standards for a Marketing & Communications Manager with 3-5 years of experience in the education sector)
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Paid Vacation, Personal Days, and Paid Holidays
- Short and Long Term Disability
- Paid Life Insurance
- Pet Insurance
- 403B Contribution + 4.5% matching as eligible
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the education sector. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Education, specifically charter schools and nonprofits
Company Size: Medium (4,100 students across 12 campuses)
Founded: 2001
Company Description:
- Founded in 2001, LEARN is a nonprofit network of PreK-8 grade elementary schools
- Serves a majority low-income, minority student population (88% and 98%, respectively)
- Guided by five core values, including high expectations, mutual respect, and active family involvement
Company Specialties:
- Elementary education
- Nonprofit management
- Charter schools
Company Website: https://www.learnchicago.org/
ASSUMPTION: LEARN is a well-established nonprofit organization with a strong focus on education and community engagement.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level marketing and communications professional
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Marketing and Communications
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a senior-level role within the marketing and communications department
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and campaigns that directly impact student success
- Chance to develop skills in education-focused marketing and communications
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to advance within the marketing and communications department and make a meaningful impact on student success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with multiple campuses across Chicago, Illinois, and Washington D.C.
Office Location(s): CMO-Herro Family Campus - Chicago, IL
Geographic Context:
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Diverse and vibrant city with a rich cultural scene
- Home to numerous educational institutions and nonprofit organizations
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with some flexibility for remote work during COVID-19 pandemic
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screening with HR
- In-person or virtual interview with hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with senior leadership
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Project management and organizational skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with LEARN's mission and values
- Experience in marketing or communications, preferably in the education or nonprofit sector
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and skills in your resume and cover letter
- Tailor your application to demonstrate your passion for education and commitment to LEARN's mission
- Prepare examples of your work, such as marketing campaigns or communication projects, to showcase your skills
- Be ready to discuss your experience with internal communications and your ability to work collaboratively across teams
ATS Keywords: Marketing, Communications, Education, Nonprofit, Internal Communications, External Communications, Student Recruitment, Talent Recruitment, Project Management, Collaboration
ASSUMPTION: The interview process is thorough and designed to assess the candidate's skills, experience, and cultural fit for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- WordPress
- Form Assembly
- Canva
- Constant Contact
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn)
- Microsoft Office Suite
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with these tools and be comfortable learning new technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- High expectations for student achievement
- Mutual respect for all members of the LEARN community
- Development of a safe and nurturing environment
- Active family involvement in student learning and school activities
- The positive development of the Whole Child
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Focused on student success and community engagement
- Committed to LEARN's mission and values
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with LEARN's core values, specifically high expectations and mutual respect?
- How comfortable are you working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
- How do you approach balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, including staff, families, donors, and partners?
ASSUMPTION: LEARN values candidates who are passionate about education, committed to their mission, and able to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Working with diverse stakeholders, including staff, families, donors, and partners
- Adapting to changes in priorities and workload
- Balancing the needs of multiple campuses and locations
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to manage multiple projects, adapt to changes, and thrive in a dynamic work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on education and nonprofit marketing and communications
- Similar roles in other industries may not have the same focus on student success and community engagement
- Career path may differ from traditional marketing and communications roles, with opportunities to advance within the education sector
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on student success and community engagement in the education sector.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a marketing and communications calendar for a school year
- Creating and distributing internal and external communications, including newsletters and social media content
- Managing student and talent recruitment campaigns, including enrollment events and job fairs
ASSUMPTION: These projects are representative of the day-to-day responsibilities and initiatives for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role support LEARN's mission and vision for student success?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the marketing and communications department, and how can this role address them?
- How does LEARN support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does LEARN measure the success of its marketing and communications efforts, and how can this role contribute to improving those metrics?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to assess the candidate's understanding of the role, their alignment with LEARN's mission and values, and their ability to contribute to the team's success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your work, such as marketing campaigns or communication projects, to showcase your skills
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
