Marketing & Communications Director in South Barrington, Illinois at Willow Creek Community Church

The "how" of our message shapes the "what" and the "why." The Marcom Director carries and protects the voice and ethos of Willow Creek across every communication channel, so our mission and vision reach clearly and compellingly across all campuses. They are expert marketers, knowing how to reach and connect with external audiences and nurture them into fully engaged participants at Willow. They understand the power of digital strategies and data, utilizing both to connect with new people.

This role leads the communications, digital, social, and marketing engine that carries the weekend experience and the wider work of the church out into the week—building invitational pathways that help spiritually curious people find Willow online, explore, and take real next steps toward the love of Jesus.

What You'll Do:

• Develop and execute Willow's marketing and communications strategy across all campuses (internal, external, and public relations) to reach new people and help them connect with Willow.
• Own the digital platform ecosystem—website, app, email platform, Tap, and Studio C—and the connected user journey, applying SEO thinking so people searching for meaning and faith find Willow and know where to go next. This is done in partnership with the Associate Experience Pastor.
• Own Willow's marketing and advertising strategy—the Google Ad Grant, paid campaigns, content strategy, and YouTube—directing the marketing/advertising contractor's execution and holding accountability for results.
• Set direction for social media strategy across global channels; support the Social Media Manager in raising up volunteers and equipping campuses.
• Lead, develop, and support the Marcom team, encouraging personal and professional growth alongside ministry excellence.
• Support and contribute to ministry-specific projects and initiatives to help achieve their engagement goals.

Skills/Competencies:

• Expert in digital marketing to reach new audiences and transform them into fully engaged participants.
• Performance marketing expertise, including ad spend management and demand generation strategy.
• Proven ability to build a predictable top of funnel pipeline and drive long term audience growth, not just campaign level wins.
• Strong grasp of public relations and management of Willow’s broader digital footprint.
• Knowledgeable of current marketing trends and best practices, including digital advertising, social media strategy, SEO and web strategy, etc.
• Strong listening and written communication skills
• Demonstrated knowledge in communications, marketing, public relations, and digital platforms.
• Data-driven—reads digital and campaign analytics and acts on them.
• Able to lead a team toward a unified goal and effective outcome, managing vision and purpose.
• Collaborative across functions (creative, worship/programming, operations) without needing to own them.
• Prior director-level marketing experience preferred

Education and Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in a marketing role in a large, multisite church or for profit organization, including demand generation and long term growth strategy.
• Heart and strategic burden for reaching the greater Chicago market specifically
• Degree or equivalent experience in Marketing, Digital Marketing, or Advertising
• 3+ years of management experience
• Certifications in SEO, digital advertising, or marketing preferred

What we Offer:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement savings with company match
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Generous paid time off
• Mental health counseling reimbursement
• And more