Digital Media Specialist

Job Description

Title: Digital Media Specialist

Department: Development & Communications

Reports to: Director of Development & Communications

Background:

The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance (the Alliance) was formed in 1995 and incorporated in 1998 as a private, non-profit organization committed to the restoration and revitalization of the Garfield Park Conservatory. While the Conservatory is owned and operated by the Chicago Park District, the Alliance is responsible for developing and funding quality education programs and events, promoting community engagement and enhancing visitor services. In its 20+ years, the Alliance has facilitated exponential growth at the Conservatory, offering 450 public programs annually and welcoming over 265,000 visitors to date this year.

Position Summary:

The Digital Media Specialist supports the mission of the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance by developing and serving an engaged audience of stakeholders with a focus on digital communications. This includes connecting with a broad spectrum of individuals including members, donors, volunteers, Garfield Park and West Side community, visitors and the general public.

The Digital Media Specialist is a full-time position. Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: assisting in creating and executing annual digital communications strategy and evaluating impact against goals. An ideal candidate will have the ability to establish paid media campaign goals, design and execute campaigns, including creating/sourcing creative assets and identifying appropriate audiences, implement robust measurement solutions to assess impact of the campaigns, report on the success to leadership, and adapt strategies to optimize performance and align with evolving organization priorities. This position holds growth opportunities for development and management of a larger branding strategy. As a member of the development team, you will participate in special event management for one signature fundraiser annually.

Position Responsibilities:

Overall Communications

Prepares and implements social media and digital marketing strategies for: Newsworthy happenings and stories, programs/lectures/classes, Plant sales, Group sales and tours, Gift Shop, Children’s Garden, Membership program, Volunteer program, Seasonal exhibitions, events & fundraisers, Private event rentals and more.

Social Media Channels and website:

Manage and drive engagement on Conservatory website and social channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok) to ensure content is current and messaging is consistent with overall programmatic work of the Alliance

Make occasional updates to website

Lead social media strategy and design in order to amplify and leverage the Alliance & GPC partnerships and impact.

Explore and implement best practices and trends in social media for philanthropy

Monitor, measure and analyze analytics to increase engagement across all channels.

Social Media

Daily management/engagement:

Check notifications, comments, mentions, and direct messages natively on each of the following platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, LinkedIn

Liaison working with Park District, horticulture and program staff on replies on social media

Use strategic plan goals to align community and partnership amplification. For example, amplify Garfield Park, West Side and greater Black community and share partnership opportunities with staff

Social Listening for Garfield Park Conservatory mentions across networks – search in platforms

Influencer Interaction: reshare interactions with influencers, etc.

Lead Content strategy

Manage yearly Content Calendar with photo database, and creating weekly content for Supervisor to review

Research and use relevant hashtags to gain new followers

Post about GPC/GPCA programs, plant content, neighborhood/local content, black plant/garden/nature content, relevant national and social holidays

Create social media graphic design posts as needed in Canva

Robust Stories Strategy: Share new posts, event countdowns, amplification of voices, and more in Instagram/Facebook stories

Video Production as needed: Produce videos with captions on Tik Tok and iMovie

Digital Ads as Needed

Create or manage strategy for Facebook and Instagram ads as needed.

Digital Reporting

Managing monthly and yearly digital dashboard (currently using DashThis)

Manually add Email Marketing numbers, tik tok and FB follower numbers monthly

Provide stats as needed for grant reports & submissions, sponsor needs, board updates

Optimize content strategy based on reporting results

Pull updates and information from Google Analytics as needed

Email Marketing

Create monthly e-newsletter, optimizing design and look and working with staff to gather information in order to promote GPC activities

Create ad hoc e-blasts as needed (1-3 a month)

Manage Contacts – with the help of other staff, connect with our other systems to grow and maintain our e-subscriber list (i.e. Xola, Shopify, Eventbrite)

Photography:

Take high quality and curated images of GPC’s collection and events - edit and curate using work supplied iphone and Google drive for different purposes & stakeholders

Special Event Support

Serve as an event team member for special event fundraisers

Manage digital and print materials and marketing associated and related tasks

Create and manage communications for special event promotion with aid from development team on frequency and content (I.e. ticket pushes, sponsorship shout-outs, partnership highlights and mission moment story-telling).

Press, public relations and media activities

Track press and media mentions and track paid and organic impressions

Work in partnership with the Chicago Park District Press office and supervisor on media inquiries and press releases

Weekly media scan for relevant articles and press mentioning Conservatory and West Side and share with staff and share on social media when applicable

Support all development, program and event communications organization wide

Minimum Qualifications:

3 - 5 years of experience in marketing, communications, advertising and/or managing social media channels

In-depth knowledge and understanding of current social media landscape, trends, tools

Self-starter with project management skills, including schedule development, tracking, task prioritization, and an ability to meet deadlines

Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal

Comfortable in furthering the mission of the Conservatory by increasing revenue

An eye for details and inconsistencies, both in writing and style

Ability to adapt written voice to fit channel and brand

Ability to analyze and report on social media performance metrics

Ability to negotiate the requests and needs of different internal stakeholders while firmly advocating for our audiences

Ability to keep track of many small details without losing sight of the big picture

Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility to work within a rapidly changing environment

Proficiency or some experience with Wordpress

Preferred qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations or commensurate experience working in related field

Familiarity with Google Analytics

Knowledge of donor database and/or reservation systems

Graphic design and photography experience a plus

Experience working remotely, i.e., from a home office working with a team of staff who also may be remote staff

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct reports. The ideal candidate should have the ability to manage and lead others in a project, committee, external partners in a group setting when required. Also, be able to direct and manage vendors and consultants when necessary. Most importantly, the candidate should have excellent personal time management and workload management skills.

Location & Schedule:

Average 40 hours per week

Working hours are scheduled M-F between 9am-5pm

Some nights or weekends required

The location for this position is on-site at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Working on-site you may be exposed to live insects or critters due to the abundance of living plants housed throughout the Conservatory

Benefits:

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, and company-paid short-term and long-term disability. We provide employees with paid time off including 6 personal days, paid sick time and 11 paid holidays. This position includes an iPhone and data storage plan owned by the Alliance.

Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance (GPCA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind.

GPCA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at GPCA are based on the organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. GPCA will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. GPCA encourages applicants of all ages.

Full-time