Manager, Development Communications
At a glance
Manager-level Communications role at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Chicago · full-time · $70,000–$80,000 base.
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What you'll do
- Shape donor and member communications from initial brief to finished work, coordinating with content and marketing colleagues
- Build a communications plan across fundraising and membership, then keep the External Affairs project calendar current
- Turn program outcomes into donor-focused stories and create tailored proposals for major fundraising asks
- Maintain donor and member website and outreach content, including segmented materials in the content system
- Coordinate donor-recognition language, committee communications and video or social content with internal teams
What you bring
- A bachelor’s degree and at least four years in communications, public relations or nonprofit work
- Strong content management system experience, plus Microsoft Office and Project skills
- Persuasive writing and storytelling ability, with sound organization, collaboration and presentation skills
Who this fits
This manager role suits a communications professional who can handle donor-facing writing, coordinate projects and work across development and marketing teams. You’ll need to be available for occasional evening and weekend events, and able to manage confidential information with discretion.
From the employer
We offer a creative, collaborative, and innovative environment for our employees. Our employees get great perks such as: benefits starting day one of your employment, free admission to Griffin MSI for family and friends, free admission to other museums, free parking in Griffin MSI’s garage and more! If you are equally passionate about our vision and want to be surrounded by a team of dynamic, smart and innovative people, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the right place for you!
The Manager, Communications is responsible for the development and implementation of communication strategies and projects that connect donor and member audiences to the Museum, adding a fresh approach to content and delivery that will be used across all fundraising and membership initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Lead, plan, message and complete departmental communications from conception through production, collaborating with the content manager(s) in EA and Marketing staff who provide key support to ensure project meets the needs of the owner and is produced on time/on budget/on brand.
- Create collateral that "tells the story" of how Griffin MSI programs positively impact community and fulfill our mission from a donor-centered perspective.
- Develop an overarching donor communications plan that includes both fundraising and membership initiatives.
- Create, manage, and distribute External Affairs communications project calendar.
- Track pertinent institutional data, photography, mailing lists, promotion, and presentation materials for projects.
- Oversee communication to various strategic task forces and committees.
- Create and manage new system for streamlined proposal development to aid frontline fundraisers with solicitation.
- Work directly with External Affairs and Development Leadership to develop custom proposals for high-level solicitations.
- Partner with Stewardship, leadership, facilities and others to ensure consistent, approved language for new and updated donor recognition.
- With Communications/ Marketing team, collaborate on the development and creation of targeted videos used to help tell the story of funding priorities to donors.
- Create and/or edit in content management system for segmented donor and member outreach.
- Manage the content on External Affairs web pages, updating as needed.
- Collaborate with the Marketing Division on videos, digital media, and social media, requests for content on Facebook, Instagram, etc.
- Other Duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and a Minimum of four (4) years’ experience in communications or public relations and/or non-profit experience,
- Strong knowledge and experience working with a content management system is required.
- Exceptional, persuasive, and a strong writer who excels at storytelling and narrative writing.
- Must have Microsoft Office and Project skills.
- Experience in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator preferred.
- Demonstrated strong collaborative, organizational and presentation skills.
- Project management experience preferred.
- Self-motivated and highly organized.
- Strong communication, organization and time management skills.
- Familiarity with non-profit environment; Salesforce CRM experience is a plus.
- Ability to gather data, analyze information and prepare reports in a fast-paced environment, with strict deadlines, and changing priorities.
- Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
- Ability to work occasional weekends and evening special events.
Language:
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, scripts, standard operating procedures, etc.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of guests and employees.
- While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to speak loudly and clearly
- The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
- The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
This fulltime position is eligible for benefits including:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
An attractive time off program including vacation, sick, and personal days
10 Company Holidays
401(k) plans (Traditional and Roth) including a generous employer match
Robust Voluntary benefit plans including transportation, legal, and many others
Free onsite garage parking
This position was posted on 9/28/2026
Our Inclusion and Belonging Statement
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is committed to advancing diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion across our workforce, experiences, and day-to-day operations. As Griffin MSI employees, we are each responsible for making the Museum a welcoming place externally for guests and internally for our colleagues within the scope of our roles.
Griffin MSI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, which includes providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
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