Director of Marketing and Communications

Summary

Want to love your job? Join a dynamic, talented, and growing team at the Misericordia Foundation where you can be part of a life-changing mission ensuring a life worth living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  When you work at Misericordia, you will be part of a culture that embraces inclusion, dignity, and quality of life for all. 

Misericordia is a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides long-term residential care, education, employment, and community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Serving more than 650 residents, Misericordia offers a full continuum of individualized services within a vibrant, inclusive community. 

The Role 

The Director of Marketing and Communications leads a comprehensive marketing and communications function that fuels our mission. This role will drive the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, support revenue generation across Misericordia’s social enterprises, and strengthen the employer brand to attract top talent and partners. 

The role will oversee integrated marketing and communications strategies across Misericordia Foundation and Home, including donor and stakeholder communications, public relations, social media, content development, brand management, and storytelling to build awareness, engagement, and impact. The Director will work closely with Foundation staff, our social enterprises, HR, and executive leadership to craft authentic stories and consistent messaging that build awareness, engagement and impact across all audiences and channels. 

This is an on-site role, with increased flexibility over time. 

Who You Are

The ideal candidate is a strategic and hands-on storyteller and people manager who understands how authentic narrative drives impact, growth, and revenue. The Director oversees a growing team currently responsible for writing and graphic design.

Why Join

In addition to being a premier and beloved organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Misericordia offers a competitive benefits package, including 401K, a comprehensive suite of medical plans, commuter benefits, student loan assistance, tuition reimbursement, and more. 

Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and execute an integrated marketing and communications strategy supporting Foundation fundraising, social enterprise growth, and talent recruitment aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities
• Serve as a thought partner to leadership on brand positioning, messaging, reputation management, and audience engagement
• Lead, mentor, and manage a cross‑functional marketing team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth
• Establish annual marketing plans, goals, timelines, and performance metrics

Brand Management

• Oversee brand strategy and ensure consistent visual identity, messaging, and voice across all platforms and materials
• Help evolve brand messaging around Misericordia’s vision of “a life worth living” for all residents
• Ensure brand alignment across internal and external communications

Donor Communications and Development

• Partner with the Foundation team to plan and execute donor communications, including appeals, stewardship, proposals, campaign communications plans, and campaign collateral
• Ensure donor communications are audience‑segmented, data‑informed, and emotionally compelling
• Support major campaigns, events, and initiatives with cohesive messaging and integrated marketing
• Track appropriate data to increase reach and impact of communications

Public Relations and External Communications

• Lead public relations strategy, including media relations, press materials, thought leadership, and crisis communications
• Serve as a primary spokesperson or support executive leadership in media engagement
• Cultivate relationships with media, partners, and influencers to increase visibility and credibility

Content, Digital, and Social Media

• Oversee content strategy across channels, including website, email, social media, video, and print
• Craft compelling stories that illuminate "a life worth living” showcasing resident impact, donor generosity, social enterprise success, and career opportunities at Misericordia
• Supervise social media strategy to grow engagement, reach, and advocacy
• Ensure digital platforms are optimized for engagement, accessibility, and conversion
• Track, analyze, and report on marketing performance and audience engagement, including how engagement relates to revenue.

Budgeting and Operations

•  Manage the marketing budget and allocate resources effectively
• Use data and insights to continuously refine strategies and improve effectiveness
• Oversee vendors, consultants, and creative partners as needed

Qualifications 

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, or a related field
• 7–10+ years of progressive experience in marketing and communications, preferably in a nonprofit or mission‑driven organization
• Proven experience leading integrated marketing teams and managing direct reports
• Strong expertise in donor communications, content strategy, digital strategy, branding, and PR
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments and manage multiple priorities

Preferred

• Experience working closely with fundraising or advancement teams, including campaign communications
• Familiarity with CRM systems, email marketing platforms, and analytics tools
• Experience managing agency or freelance partners
• Familiarity with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and passion for the organization’s mission and values

Pay

$135,000-$150,000

Benefits

• Health, vision and dental insurance
• Paid time off
• 401K Matching
• Roth 401k with 2% match tax-free withdrawals after retirement
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Referral bonus
• Attendance bonus
• Many opportunities for growth throughout the company
• Various professional trainings offered
• Referrals to state funded resource providing support in finding childcare

Misericordia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) according to Title 44, Ill. Administrative Code, and Subpart C Section 750.150.