The Partnership for College Completion (PCC) seeks a purpose-driven Communications Manager. Working alongside and reporting to the Senior Communications Manager, the Communications Manager will work with the PCC staff and leadership team to develop and execute communication strategies and campaigns in all three mission priority areas–policy, institutional change, and data and research.

About PCC

PCC is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 to champion policies and practices that increase college completion and eliminate degree completion disparities for low-income, first generation, and students of color in Illinois – particularly Black and Latinx students. PCC is the only organization in Illinois dedicated to providing leadership for a systems-level approach to support college completion and eliminate institutional inequities by race and income in higher education outcomes. Since its founding, the organization has played a central role in initiating a new, urgent conversation on higher education equity in the state.

PCC envisions a state where equitable opportunities to access and complete a college education lead to greater degree attainment, racial equity, and socioeconomic mobility for Illinoisans. With our steadfast focus on system-level reform and institutional change, PCC executes a unique three-part strategy in pursuit of its goals:

  • Supporting colleges and universities directly in their institutional equity change efforts
  • Advocating for effective local, state, and national policy and legislation
  • Conducting and elevating data and research to increase awareness and public dialogue on present challenges and future solutions for advancing higher education equity

Position Summary

This role involves developing and executing digital communication strategies in PCC’s key areas: policy, institutional change, and data/research. The Communications Manager will create compelling narratives to highlight the organization’s work and collaborate with both internal teams and external partners. This person must be strategic and creative in order to lead the planning, development, execution, and optimization of our digital presence. This role combines content strategy and production with digital channel management to increase brand awareness, engagement, and impact across platforms. The ideal candidate is a strong writer and editor, experienced in content planning and storytelling, with fluency in digital tools, website management, and performance analytics.

The Communications Manager will have to balance multiple priorities while ensuring effective messaging across various platforms. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, able to work in a fast-paced environment and manage competing demands efficiently.

Duties & Responsibilities Overview

Content Strategy & Storytelling

  • Assist with developing and managing a comprehensive content calendar aligned with organizational priorities, campaigns, and initiatives
  • Write, edit, and curate compelling content for blogs, e-newsletters, websites, social media, and other digital platforms
  • Collaborate with internal subject matter experts and program teams to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging content
  • Uphold and help evolve PCC’s brand voice, tone, and messaging across platforms
  • Manage multimedia production (graphics, video, etc.) in partnership with internal or external vendors

Digital Platform Management

  • Oversee day-to-day management of PCC’s website, ensuring content is timely, accurate, and user-friendly
  • Lead social media strategy and execution across platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, etc.), including content creation, posting, monitoring, and engagement
  • Develop and execute email marketing campaigns, including audience segmentation and performance tracking

Performance Tracking & Optimization

  • Monitor and analyze digital performance across channels using Google Analytics, social insights, and email marketing dashboards
  • Generate monthly or campaign-based performance reports to inform strategy and drive continuous improvement
  • Use insights to optimize content, posting cadence, and platform strategies

Project Management & Collaboration

  • Collaborate with the Senior Communications Manager and outside vendors to optimize and analyze owned websites to enhance digital reach and engagement
  • Stay informed of industry trends and emerging digital tools or platforms to inform strategy
  • Manage multiple projects from start to their launch simultaneously, coordinating work from within and outside our organization
  • Ability and willingness to travel within Illinois, including to meetings and events, campus visits, and trips to the Illinois state capitol
  • Other duties as assigned

Candidate Disposition

  • Strong commitment to and alignment with PCC’s mission and familiarity with the priority areas of the organization
  • Commitment to PCC Core Beliefs:
    • Higher Education is a Fundamental Right for All Who Seek It – Our country will never realize the promise of equal opportunity for all without focusing on equity in higher education.
    • Systems are Flawed – Our systems are getting the results that they were designed to achieve and result in large gaps in degree completion that must be closed with urgency.
    • All Students Can Succeed – When given the right opportunities, tools and supports, all students can achieve.
    • Solutions and Resources Exist to Address Disparities – There is ample evidence that focusing time and resources on closing equity gaps in higher education works.
    • The Pursuit of Equity is a Marathon – Invest opportunities to ensure that your mental, physical, and emotional health are a priority. 
  • Development-oriented mindset – reflective, self-aware, open and responsive to feedback and driven to learn from setbacks
  • Generative and able to thrive while working individually and as part of a team to advance mission-centered priorities in a lean, highly-collaborative, high-volume, and entrepreneurial environment

Basic Qualifications

  • 3-5 years of professional, full-time experience in communications, digital marketing, content strategy, or related disciplines
  • An interest in public policy, non-profit and/or social justice
  • Exceptional writing and editing skills, with a strong portfolio of content across formats
  • Proficiency with digital tools and platforms including CMS (e.g., WordPress), email marketing systems (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact), and social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite)
  • Experience in editing visual assets using Adobe Creative Suite (i.e. InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator etc.) or Canva
  • Basic HTML knowledge

Preferred Additional Qualifications

  • Prior experience working in organizations focused on public policy, non-profit and/or social justice
  • Experience with SEO, Google Analytics, and performance reporting
  • Familiarity with accessibility and inclusivity standards in digital communications
  • Experience with CRM and donor engagement systems is a plus (e.g., Bloomerang, Salesforce, EveryAction)
  • Basic video editing experience

If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. 

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for the Communications Manager is $60,000 – $70,000 commensurate with experience, along with a generous benefits plan that includes health/dental; 403B plan with a generous company match (up to 5%); short and long-term disability; holiday, vacation, and sick accrual; flexible, hybrid work schedule; paid parental leave; access to professional and wellness opportunities; a number of other elective and competitive benefits such as vision insurance.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and 2–3 samples of your content or digital work to apply@partnershipfcc.org with the subject line “Communications Manager.” Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis through Friday, June 20, 2025.

Commitment to Diversity

The Partnership for College Completion is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to building a diverse team and to engaging the skills and leadership of people of color, individuals from low-income households, LGBTQ+ persons, differently-abled people, and others that hold identities that represent the significant diversity of college students in Illinois. People from these and other historically marginalized backgrounds and communities are strongly encouraged to apply. We look forward to hearing from you!

Virtual and In-Office Workplace

PCC currently maintains a flexible, hybrid work environment based in Chicago.

COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccination and corresponding documentation must be provided by all employees in advance of their start date.

PCC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on sex, race, color, ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.