What are the responsibilities and job description for the Creative and Digital Communications Specialist position at The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division?
At The Salvation Army our employees are the heartbeat of our mission. We foster a community of passionate people dedicated to changing lives and bringing hope to those who need it most.
Position Summary: The Creative and Digital Communications Specialist is a hands-on contributor responsible for supporting The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division’s creative digital presence and creative communication across Michigan. This role integrates website management, graphic design, brand management, and digital communications to elevate awareness, engagement, and fundraising outcomes.
As a key member of the marketing and communications team, this individual supports divisional campaigns, special events and program initiatives through creative services, website management and digital communications expertise. This position ensures all digital and creative assets align with brand standards and integrated communications strategies, while also serving as a resource to corps community centers and internal teams to strengthen their local digital presence, including establishing and maintaining divisional website standards, templates, and publishing practices. This position focuses on content, design and platform governance – not custom development, advanced coding, or system engineering.
Essential Responsibilities
Creative Services & Content Production
Education/Experience:
Position Summary: The Creative and Digital Communications Specialist is a hands-on contributor responsible for supporting The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division’s creative digital presence and creative communication across Michigan. This role integrates website management, graphic design, brand management, and digital communications to elevate awareness, engagement, and fundraising outcomes.
As a key member of the marketing and communications team, this individual supports divisional campaigns, special events and program initiatives through creative services, website management and digital communications expertise. This position ensures all digital and creative assets align with brand standards and integrated communications strategies, while also serving as a resource to corps community centers and internal teams to strengthen their local digital presence, including establishing and maintaining divisional website standards, templates, and publishing practices. This position focuses on content, design and platform governance – not custom development, advanced coding, or system engineering.
Essential Responsibilities
Creative Services & Content Production
- Design, coordinate or provide creative direction for digital and print communications, including graphics, annual reports, flyers, media buys and other campaign materials, based on project needs and available resources.
- Ensure all creative deliverables align with brand guidelines and campaign objectives
- Collaborate with internal teams to determine the most effective formats for storytelling and engagement
- Serve as the divisional authority on website standards, templates and publishing practices, ensuring consistency and scalability across all corps and service locations
- Ensure all content aligns with divisional messaging, brand standards, and integrated communications campaigns
- Set up and manage Wufoo forms for registrations, checklists and surveys for divisional headquarters and corps throughout the division
- Generate monthly reports that track divisional website performance, including metrics on digital tracking, conversion activity, traffic volume, engagement trends, and search optimization, and provide actionable insights and recommendations based on those reports
- Assist internal stakeholders with website best practices, ensuring corps’ websites are supported through standardized solutions that promote consistency and scalability
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met
- Maintain efficient workflows and editorial/creative processes to support timely delivery
- Assist in tracking project timelines and supporting budget-conscious execution
- Assist and/or manage vendor relationships relating to digital and print communications, graphic design, digital photography, video, creative projects, and other communications technologies
- Perform additional duties as assigned
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, digital media or communications, graphic design or any related field or equivalent experience (4 years).
- 2 - 4 years of experience in digital content, creative services, marketing, or communications
- Demonstrated experience in graphic design, content creation, and digital storytelling – portfolio required.
- Nonprofit experience is desired but not required.
- Strong design and visual storytelling skills with attention to detail and brand consistency
- Ability to manage project from concept to completion with minimal supervision
- Strong understanding of digital content strategy, branding and audience engagement
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and collaborate across teams
- Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse internal stakeholders, including corps officers and staff, by approaching interactions with a client-service mindset
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to train and support non-technical users on digital tools and platforms
- Highly organized and detail-oriented
- Proficient in Microsoft Office 365.
- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premier Pro, After Effects).
- Experience with Canva and other design tools.
- Basic experience with CMS platforms (WordPress, Symphony, Zesty).
- Working knowledge of SEO/SEM and analytic tools (Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics).
- Basic knowledge of HTML/CSS
- Willingness to learn new software as needed.
- Complete Safe From Harm training and keep current as needed.
- Must have and maintain a current valid driver’s license and pass the Salvation Army Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR).