Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.
We are now hiring for a full-time Public Relations Manager (MPI )to join our Team!
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Create and maintain an overall favorable public image for MPI/CP4P by communicating programs, accomplishments and/or points of view, in partnership with the Communications Director and Chief Communications Officer
• Help clarify the organization's point of view to its various audiences through media press releases, leadership media interviews, press conferences, public events. etc.
• Cultivate relationships with influential print, digital and broadcast journalists, as well as thought leaders within the public safety sector in addition to film and multimedia production outlets
• Write media releases, develop and prepare press kits and other press materials
• Field media questions and serve as first point of contact for media inquiries
• Strategize and release information to counter negative publicity and handle crisis and emergency communications
• Brief organizational leadership on communicating with the media
• Assist with writing speeches for organizational leadership at public-facing events
• Develop and organize promotional events
• Develop advertising and marketing communications material
• Monitor social, economic, and political trends that might affect the organization
• Partner with Social Media Manager to write and create digital content for organization's social media outlets, such as regular posts, blogs, tweets, etc.
• Project management expert, with ability to adhere to critical project timelines
• Ability to work special events, as well as handle unexpected deadlines and emergency communications
• Must be able to periodically work evenings/weekends
• Other program duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, English, Communications or Marketing with a PR or Advertising concentration
• Minimum five (5) years' experience working in public relations field or similar role
• Must have access to own transportation for off-site projects/events
• Excellent writing and editing skills and the ability to write compelling copy are a must
• Must be deadline-driven and possess the ability to meet important timelines.
• Must have established print, digital and broadcast media contacts in the Chicago metropolitan area.
• Strong risk management and evaluation skills
• Tactical understanding of all primary social media platforms
• Expert verbal communications skills
• Be proactive, reliable, responsible and accurate with an attention to detail
• Ability to use good judgment, work well under pressure, adapt to change, and work collaboratively with individuals from all culturally diverse backgrounds
• Strong relationship building skills
• Strong strategic and organizational skills
• Effective time management skills and ability to complete given tasks
• Self-motivated, team and goal-oriented individual with the ability to drive results
• Strong knowledge of Content Management Systems (i.e., WordPress)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• MFS staff are required to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved Medical exemption prior to starting employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch.
• The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

SALARY:

• Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $64,000

Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals:

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options
• 12 paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Bereavement Leave
• 401K Plan
• Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
• Wellness Initiative Program
• Employee Assistance Network

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)