Communications Specialist

Overview

Under the direction of the Communications Manager, the Communications Specialist supports the execution of website updates, event registration, marketing initiatives, and sponsorship activities. This role involves maintaining databases, managing branded giveaways, overseeing social media performance, coordinating affiliate and sponsorship marketing, and providing support for virtual events, committee administration, and association programming.

Website Updates & Maintenance

• Perform routine and on-demand website updates, including troubleshooting broken pages, forms, plugins, and blocks.
• Test and apply content for new website forms, blocks, and features as needed.
• Maintain online databases and industry partner event listings on the website.
• Edit, publish, and maintain the video library for virtual events on Vimeo and the website.

Inbox & Project Management

• Monitor and respond to the updates inbox and other department inboxes as needed.
• Process and interpret project request forms, manage requests, and oversee project execution.
• Manage and maintain email lists for marketing initiatives, including event emails and pop-up campaigns.

Affiliate & Sponsorship Marketing

• Update affiliate membership graphics, and assist the Communications Coordinator with executing affiliate membership communications.
• Troubleshoot online forms and maintain website databases (e.g., chicagorealtor.com and buysellownchi.com).
• Execute purchased brand boosts and track their success.
• Oversee sponsorship marketing tasks, including webpage edits, email creation, and list management.

Committee & Administrative Support

• Support the YPN committee through scheduling, sharing Zoom links, recording minutes, tracking attendance, and managing surveys.
• Provide administrative support for association programming, such as Sales Awards list management, invites, and attendance tracking.
• Coordinate photographers and videographers for events and oversee post-event photo management and distribution.

Social Media Management

• Assist the Communications Manager on the Association’s overall social media strategy, including content posting, performance monitoring, and reporting.
• Publish mid- and post-event updates, including videos and photos.

Marketing Projects & Reporting

• Assist with association marketing projects, such as compiling content for the annual report.
• Generate and analyze standard marketing reports.
• Oversee the ordering, tracking, and management of branded giveaways for all departments.
• Assist the Communications Department with event planning, promotion, and staffing as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: These essential duties and responsibilities are not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with this position. While it is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties or to assign other duties as necessary.
 

Qualifications:

• Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing or related is required. Website design experience preferred.  Writing or editing experience preferred.  Social Media Management Experience preferred. 1-3 years’ experience in a Marketing or Communication role required.
• Language Ability: Ability to read and interpret documents such as industry briefings, contracts, letters of agreement and procedures manuals. Ability to write in-depth reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of members or employees of the organization.
• Math Ability: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages, and analyze them.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with complex problems involving several variables. Ability to think creatively and speak thoughtfully under pressure.
• Computer Skills: Functional knowledge of word processing software such as Microsoft Word, spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel, calendaring software such as Microsoft Outlook, and database software such as Access required.  Working knowledge of HTML and/or a Web content manager as well as experience working with email campaign tools are required.
• Leadership Skills: Although the list of a leader’s desirable qualities is virtually endless, the following leadership characteristics are expected of an employee to successfully perform their job: loyalty, integrity, enthusiasm, flexibility, knowledge, and communication.
• High stress/pressure – performs a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another
• Concentration – Performs with frequent interruptions or distractions
• Energy level – Completes a high volume of work within established time deadlines.
• Flexibility/Adaptability – Adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate.
• Emotional Regulation – Ability to interact appropriately with colleagues for different purposes in different contexts
• Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may be required to frequently lift a maximum of 25 pounds. The vision requirements include: close vision. The vision requirements include: close and far vision and depth perception. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $22 – $25/Hourly (W2). Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits! 
Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment—one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.