Responsibilities

• Provides Communications and Public Relations support for the Communications department and agency initiatives, including drafting and editing talking points, remarks, press releases, newsletters, web content, social media content, and other communications materials.
• Assists in developing and implementing communications strategies to promote agency programs, events, priorities, and accomplishments.
• Supports content planning, storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and digital communications efforts across multiple platforms.
• Collaborates with Communications staff and program areas to ensure messaging is accurate, timely, and aligned with agency goals.
• Thinks creatively about opportunities to enhance the effectiveness, reach, and impact of Agency communications, educator recognition programs, events, and related initiatives.
• Plans and executes the annual 1,000-person Teacher of the Year & Those Who Excel Awards banquet, overseeing and directing all event logistics, including save-the-dates, invitations, marketing collateral materials, web content and updates, guest list and RSVP management, communication with attendees, following the agency's procurement processes to purchase necessary materials, décor and signage, refreshments, entertainment, programming and event run-of-show, and event set-up and breakdown.
• Solicits and manages vendors, volunteers, and stakeholders in the administration and staffing of the event.
• Supports the Communications leadership in following the agency's fiscal processes for budget management, purchasing supplies, travel, and event planning.
• Plans and administers ISBE’s Teacher of the Year & Those Who Excel program, including facilitating nominations and applications of outstanding educators across the state.
• Establishes a program timeline and manages the completion of program milestones.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION)
• Two years of relevant experience (in addition to education requirements) in large-scale event planning, production, and project management.
• Knowledge of large-scale event planning.
• Knowledge of project management, database management, volunteer management and event management best practices.
• Knowledge of awards management software.
• Knowledge of communications/public relations principles.
• Skilled in organization and attention to detail.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Copy editing skills.
• Skilled in content creation for digital and print communications, social media management, and some graphic design.

Preferred

• Experience in communications, public relations, content development, or related communications functions.