Manager, Illinois State Communications

Primary Responsibilities of the Manager, Illinois State Communications are as follows: 

• Develops AARP’s presence in state and local communities by: Building and securing consensus for strategic and operational communications initiatives that deliver desired business results to the State Director, volunteer leaders, Managers of Advocacy and Outreach, the state office generally and national business unit collaborators; positioning AARP Illinois for success in state and nationwide priorities across all communications channels, including paid media, earned media, social media, internal Association communications, AARP member-facing channels, new and emerging channels, and ally and public relations; planning media events; overseeing media relations, including supporting the national office in launching its communications initiatives in the states; developing and testing key messages; supporting ally relations; and managing staff and volunteers.
• Manages staff and volunteers engaged in campaigns and multicultural communications efforts in the state. Cultivates and maintains relationships, both external and internal, across the AARP Enterprise.

Specific Responsibilities for the Communications Manager are as follows:

• Plans and recommends strategic vision to the State Director and Volunteer Leadership around communications and campaigns and translates the vision and strategy into a plan that can be readily communicated and implemented with Illinois team members, volunteers and external partners.  
• In conjunction with the Illinois leadership team, executes the strategic plan for the Communications/Brand and identified campaigns to deliver defined results, and with clear lines of accountability for staff and volunteers. Manages budget and resource allocation for primary and matrix-responsibilities.
• Develops, motivates and positions for success a multifunctional team of professionals using best in class practices of management to achieve nationwide goals and a shared vision.  Develops and monitors work plans for and with staff; monitors communications metrics and business results to position AARP Illinois for success internally and externally; manages and documents staff performance and takes corrective action when necessary. Ensures policies and procedures are carried out appropriately.  Identifies and builds training plans to develop staff to full potential. Engenders metrics-driven, results-oriented collaboration with Advocacy and Outreach teams; and operates with transparency in decision-making and in the allocation of resources.
• Leads the state Communications Team implementation of the communications and marketing strategy, incorporating specifics of demographic, cultural and economic dynamics into how the Illinois State Office’s goals are presented and perceived by the 50+ public, media and opinion leaders across public, private and social sectors, to grow relevance and impact in assigned communities.
• Calibrates implementation of the state plan regularly, in conjunction with the IL State Director, IL Managers and national office, to reflect changing needs of the 50+ population, or dynamics in the environment or enterprise.
• Builds strong, collaborative working relationships with AARP Illinois Managers and participates as an active member of the team with an eye to achieving statewide goals and vision.
• Represents AARP Illinois in relevant forums, serves on AARP Enterprise task forces and work groups, representing both state and national priorities.