Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement serves as a key leadership team member of The Cradle. This role bridges brand strategy, organizational positioning, program growth, and external engagement, ensuring that The Cradle’s services are effectively positioned for families, donors, professionals, and referral partners.

This is a dynamic time at The Cradle, as our 103-year-old organization grows and transforms to become more valuable to the broader parenting community. Amid these changes, the VP will help The Cradle become better known, more relevant, and more connected to the broader parenting ecosystem—while preserving the trust and recognition The Cradle has built. With this in mind, the VP will play a key role in managing and communicating significant changes to our staff and external stakeholders.

This role is especially suited for someone who listens deeply and grasps nuance, can manage complexity and multiple projects amid change, is an effective collaborator, and is a clear and supportive manager.

Note: To be considered for this position, applicants must answer all questions pertaining to the application process.

Essential Functions

Build on and lead the implementation of a comprehensive communication and marketing strategy to increase brand awareness, participation in programming, and visibility for The Cradle as well as support the growth of the donor base. The VP is responsible for managing a broad range of marketing projects and makes recommendations to the CEO, Board, and senior staff for all promotional campaigns and branding. The VP works to understand and advance departmental objectives across the organization, collaborating closely on and building buy-in for marketing initiatives and strategies. Core responsibilities include:

Marketing (65%)

• Lead and manage day-to-day operations for the Marketing and Community Engagement Team (2 staff).
• Design, oversee, and execute integrated marketing and communications strategies that support brand awareness, program enrollment and participation, fundraising, and community engagement.
• Lead strategic visioning and implementation of external and internal communications plans that support both organizational priorities and programmatic growth initiatives.
• Oversee audience segmentation and lifecycle engagement strategies across digital, earned, paid, and partnership channels.
• Guide messaging that resonates across diverse audiences, including families, professionals, donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Position The Cradle as a trusted thought leader and resource for families and professionals through education, storytelling, and relationship-building.
• Refine and review metrics to measure the effectiveness and success of marketing strategies.
• Oversee the development of collateral, including event publications, annual reports, and e-newsletters.
• Oversee how The Cradle’s digital assets are leveraged and managed, including website and social media channels, to optimize brand awareness, raise resources, and engage various target audiences across multiple platforms.
• Develop paid and earned media strategies.
• Engage with the Board on marketing strategy, reporting progress and seeking input, when applicable.
• Respond quickly to crisis communication needs in an effective manner, providing guidance and recommendations on strategies to protect the brand and reputation of The Cradle.
• Partner with Development on storytelling and communication strategies to strengthen donor engagement and revenue growth.
• Oversee relationships with website and LMS vendors and ensure that digital platforms effectively support marketing, communications, engagement, program, and development goals.
• Build and manage an annual departmental budget.

Community Engagement (35%)

• Lead organizational community engagement and outreach strategy to increase awareness, trust, and participation in The Cradle’s programs and services.
• Identify and prioritize key external audiences and communities.
• Identify opportunities for strategically aligned partnerships, coalitions, and collaborative initiatives.
• Support the development and strengthening of relationships with key referral sources and community partners, including child welfare agencies, social service providers, legal professionals, healthcare providers, and allied organizations.
• Oversee Community Engagement events, including family gatherings and Parent Cafes.
• In partnership with Continuous Quality Improvement lead, establish, monitor, and track performance metrics, including enrollments/attendance, engagement, referrals, etc. Using this data, translate community needs and insights into recommendations for organizational leadership.

Minimum Requirements:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, brand strategy, or related fields, including leadership experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Experience managing teams and working with boards.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing an integrated marketing/communications strategy, with preference to candidates with experience leading and/or implementing a significant brand evolution.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including strong persuasive writing capabilities.
• Experience translating organizational strategy into compelling external messaging.
• Demonstrated ability to use data and audience insights to guide marketing decisions.
• Experience navigating organizational change and communicating with diverse stakeholders.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated professionalism, flexibility, good judgment, and commitment to teamwork.
• Belief that collaboration deepens impact, with record of accomplishment to back it up.
• Ability to be nimble and respond appropriately in varied situations.
• Proven experience with nonprofit branding and proficient in using social media platforms.
• Commitment to The Cradle’s vision, mission, values, and strategic direction.
• Champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion both within The Cradle and in external relationships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Experience marketing new services or establishing a brand in new markets a plus.

Working Conditions and Hours. We are currently located at 2049 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL.

• Driving is an essential function of this position. Requires a valid driver’s license and insured personal vehicle for multiple site travel; clean driving record.
• Regular hours are M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Occasional weekend, early morning or evening hours required.
• Hybrid office hours, minimum of 2 days per week onsite plus travel within service area as needed. Subject to change as department needs change.

Physical Requirements

• May be required to stand for extended periods of time on some occasions.
• Some heavy lifting may be required.
• Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet these requirements will still be considered fully qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

Direct Reports: 2 full-time employees.

Additional Requirements

All staff are required to undergo a background check, fingerprinting, and medical exam to meet DCFS requirements.