The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.
Position Summary
The Communications Coordinator is the primary communications support for the Archdiocesan Co-Implementation Team and will focus on spiritual renewal in our parishes. This role will serve as primary support for storytelling, faith sharing, and preaching excellence in spiritual renewal, and collaborate across offices and teams as needed. In addition, the Communications Coordinator works closely with the parishes and Co-Implementation Parish Renewal Leaders and will manage content in all channels (website, social media, parish bulletins – printed and digital, etc.) including planning, development and creation of relevant, timely, engaging content. In doing so, the Coordinator must demonstrate the capacity for creativity, mentoring and coaching parish staff, and an inculturation of the Archdiocesan vision of renewal.
Responsibilities
- Leads archdiocesan renewal efforts in effective storytelling and faith sharing, and partners with other archdiocesan offices to support preaching best practices in the area of spiritual renewal
- Supports the transformation of parish communications to better align with the vision and mission of Spiritual Renewal in the Archdiocese
- Supports between 4-6 parishes in the Co-Implementation process
- Identifies the communications skills present and needed in the parish to effectively communicate (bulletin, website, social media, etc…)
- Coordinates the parish’s website and social media tools, implementing an outward focused vision and mission of renewal
- Integrates and forms existing parish communications staff (website manager, receptionist, social media manager, etc…) around the work of communicating the vision and mission of renewal.
- Supports the vision casting efforts of the parish leadership team through multi-media efforts.
- Serves as a core member of the Co-Implementation Team to ensure renewal is being implemented in parishes.
Requirements
- Previous communications experience in a parish or other faith-based institution
- Familiarity with parish communication tools
- Familiar with various web platforms and able to suggest content and design improvements
- Demonstrated expertise in social media marketing and communications
- Ability to work creatively and comfortable with new and undeveloped projects
- Strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork and skills in mentoring communications staff
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, collaborative, faithful, joyful witness, persistent, available, fair and balanced, dependable, person of integrity, sensitive to cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity and openness to the needs of the parishioners.
- Ability to deal with multiple projects, remains flexible, exercises sound judgment, and is comfortable with change.
- Open to ongoing formation / education as needed.
- This position is a hybrid on site/at home role, with the needed ability to travel to multiple parish sites per week
Preferred
- Degree in Communications, Theology, Ministry, or similar fields
- Experience in a mission-oriented parish or other faith-based setting
- Practicing Catholic with understanding and support for Catholic Church teaching, mission, and values.
The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here.
This position has an annualized salary range of $58,662 - $73,328. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.
