Community Engagement Manager

Organization Description

Sunshine Enterprises is a 501© 3 nonprofit based in Chicago, IL. Sunshine Enterprises fosters economically viable communities through training, coaching, and connecting high potential entrepreneurs. Sunshine Enterprises’ mission is to empower high-potential entrepreneurs living in under-resourced neighborhoods to grow their businesses and transform their communities. Sunshine Enterprises’ vision is to establish 5 neighborhood-based business hubs catalyzing free enterprise in Chicago’s under-resourced neighborhoods. Currently we serve hundreds of unique entrepreneurs throughout the Chicago area in three main business hubs servicing neighborhoods such as Woodlawn, Englewood, West Evanston, Rogers Park and North Lawndale. Each of these hubs has been strategically placed in areas suffering from a lack of jobs, marketplace resources, and growth opportunities. These hubs provide an economic stimulus to the communities by supporting local entrepreneurs. SE also has developed specialty hubs focused on the property management, construction trades, arts and makers, and technology industries; as well as a Spanish-language hub.

Job description

This role focuses on interacting with Sunshine Enterprises (SE) alumni business clients through our current and future platforms. Familiarity with social media and marketing tools including Facebook, Canva, user forums and similar tools is critical for this role. The Community Engagement Manager is also the point of contact for the organization, the users and the clients. So, the ability to post and present the company in the best possible way throughout the client journey is key.

A successful candidate will have expertise in different software applications and social media and marketing tools, as well as experience with the small business community. They will have a problem-solving attitude with great attention to detail. Teamwork and empathetic end-user support are crucial aspects of this role, as is the ability to communicate technical topics to the end users on all engagement platforms.

The responsibilities of the Community Engagement Manager will include, utilizing current engagement tools; working with BAS leadership to recommend and implement an engagement community platform and tools; including a business directory; interacting with SE alumni clients within the different social media platforms; creating and developing Alumni engagement programming, posting and communicating SE information and business support information on the platform; creating reports and/or tracking tool to measure engagement activity; and working closely with the marketing team, IT team, data management team, vendors, and other stakeholders on the dissemination of information to the SE alumni clients and community members. Strong technical, communication skills, especially written communication, are essential in the role.

Example of essential duties and responsibilities

● Researching, comparing, and implementing community engagement tools and platforms
● Participating in live events with alumni clients (both online and offline)
● Creating and managing business client editorial calendar
● Brainstorming content strategy that adds value to communities
● Handling customer service issues, responding to requests, complaints, and questions
● Interacting with the members of the community daily to promote communication and participation
● Creating and implementing engagement activities and programs to interact with the alumni community
● Identifying and tracking key metrics that are lead and lag measures for engagement; understand current baseline engagement

Required Skills and Abilities

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

● English required, bi-lingual in Spanish is a plus.
● Proficiency in working in cross-cultural settings required.
● Strong interpersonal skills.
● Great attention to detail.
● Strong process-oriented thinking.
● Exceptional problem-solving skills.
● Excellent oral and written communication skills, especially when relaying technical information to a non-technical audience.
● Have the ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks.
● Have the ability to learn various software applications and systems quickly.
● Experience using Salesforce or another CRM tool is highly preferred.
● Experienced in running Salesforce reports or analyzing data in Excel.
● Have project management experience and the ability to coordinate information with multiple colleagues and departments.
● Working knowledge of Google Docs (highly preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite – Excel is required.
● Advanced knowledge of marketing tools (i.e., Canva and Adobe Photoshop) and the ability to create content are highly preferred.

● Have a strong desire to help entrepreneurs that can be representative of marginalized, low to moderate-income, and at-risk populations.
● Have the ability to repair and troubleshoot issues.
● Have the ability to work in teams and independently when required.

Note - This part-time hybrid role is 20 hours per week.