Company Description
Keeping Families Covered is a registered 501(c)(3) organization in northern Illinois that provides essential hygiene products for individuals and families at every age and stage of life. Through a network of community partners and direct service, the organization distributes diapers, period supplies, and incontinence products to those who need them. The team works daily to ensure families have access to items they should not have to go without. Keeping Families Covered envisions an Illinois where every family can live with health and dignity, regardless of age, income, or circumstances. By removing barriers to basic hygiene, the organization helps build stronger families, healthier communities, and brighter futures.
Role Description
The part-time Marketing & Events Specialist is an enthusiastic, detail-oriented, self-starter who will be reporting directly to the Director of Development and working closely with other key members of our team. This individual will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing a variety of events, including campaign-specific events, donor appreciation events, fundraising events, and our signature annual event. They will also spearhead day-to-day design and asset management of all marketing materials for the organization, including program-specific marketing collateral, fliers, email/newsletter design and layout, videos, and social media design and copywriting. They will also support the mission of Keeping Families Covered by helping to generate brand awareness, deepen engagement, and reach new audiences through the effective use of marketing and social media. This role offers the opportunity to use creative, technical, organizational, and writing skills to support our mission and expand our impact.
Position Location – Lake County Office
3250 Oak Grove Road, Suite B
Waukegan, IL 60087
Schedule & Hours
20-25 hours per week (overtime must be pre-approved); Required in-office time with the possibility of remote work for certain tasks
Pay & Benefits
$25.00 - $28.00 per hour; team environment; 40 hours of PTO per year; 401(K) option (no company match); holiday events and other gatherings throughout the year; free coffee and snacks in office; opportunity for growth for the right person
Digital Content & Graphic Design
- Assist with planning and execution of weekly communications (social media, email, and print)
- Maintain and update the Communications Calendar
- Contribute to and lay out the quarterly e-newsletter
- Create engaging social media posts aligned with the Communications Calendar
- Source and write educational pieces to be used across multiple channels in an effort to raise awareness about the need for our work and the role we play in meeting that need
- Work with the team to collect photos/videos and create content based on events, mobile pantry distributions, and other key points of interest
- Report on social media analytics monthly
Brand Management
- Maintain a working knowledge of the Keeping Families Covered brand guidelines
- Ensure all digital, print, and other marketing materials and communications adhere to the brand guidelines
Event Planning and Strategy
- Create and manage the calendar of events for Keeping Families Covered in partnership with the CEO, Board, and Events Committee
- Budget tracking and management
- Develop concepts, themes, and timing in alignment with organizational goals
- Manage event execution in strategic alignment with KFC's relationship building and engagement goals
- Serve as the lead representative on the Events Committee
- Schedule and manage all Events Committee meetings/calls, take minutes, and coordinate action items/follow-up tasks for committee members
Vendor and Stakeholder Management
- Research event locations, suppliers, and vendors, including pricing, contractual requirements, and attendee capacity in alignment with event requirements for approval by the CEO/Board/Events Committee
- Identify and pursue cost-savings opportunities without compromising quality
Event Promotion and Marketing
- Seek in-kind donations from individuals and businesses that support raffles and/or silent auctions for our signature annual fundraisers as well as smaller scale fundraising events
- Take photos that can be used for the KFC newsletter and social media posts
- Create and schedule content according to the appropriate pre-event and post-event timeline
On-Site Event Management
- Serve as key on-site contact for private and public events
- Oversee event setup, execution, and teardown
- Handle any issues or emergencies that arise during the event, in partnership with the CEO, Board members, or senior staff members on-site
Post-Event Activities
- Collect feedback from committee, staff, and volunteers in attendance for lessons-learned and improvement opportunities
- Work with the Director of Development, CEO, and Board to prepare a financial overview of each event
- Coordinate post-event content
Requirements and Qualifications
- High school diploma; Associate degree or above in marketing, communications, graphic design, or similar field
- 3+ years of experience in marketing or events coordination with a proven track record of successful execution
- Knowledge of the mission, objectives, policies, programs, and procedures of Keeping Families Covered as well as the principles and practices of nonprofit organizations
- Solid understanding of basic graphic design principles, social media best practices, the importance of proofreading work, and an ability to adhere to brand theme, colors, and design guidelines
- Maintain a knowledge of our brand theme, colors, and design guidelines
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication (written and verbal), planning, and execution skills for collaborating with team members, vendors, and clients in diverse settings
- Willingness to brainstorm new/different ideas with other team members, take direction from senior management, and accept constructive feedback
- Proven experience in event marketing or event planning within hospitality, restaurant, hotel, or fundraising environments is highly desirable
- Strong negotiation skills with vendors and partners to secure favorable terms for contracts and services
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with excellent time management and organizational skills
- Ability to prioritize workload and develop solutions with limited supervision
- Familiarity with budgeting processes and managing marketing/event expenses effectively
- Technical proficiency in digital marketing tools (Hootsuite, Canva, Constant Contact, WordPress), social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn), event management software, CRM systems, and MS Office Suite
- Prior banquet or catering experience is a plus; experience in guest services or hospitality roles will be advantageous
