Creative Communications Specialist

Position: Creative Communications Specialist Location: Batavia, IL Remote Status: On-Site Job Id: 324 # of Openings: 1 Bring Your Creativity to a Top Workplace! The Batavia Park District has been recognized as a 2025 Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and Top Female-Led Workplace —and we're looking for a creative storyteller to join our award-winning team! If you're passionate about graphic design, social media, marketing, photography, writing, and bringing a community to life through creative communications, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. About Us: At Batavia Park District we are committed to providing fun, safe and innovative open space and recreational opportunities that will enrich the quality of life for our residents. As a member of our team, you'll help tell the stories that connect our community with the experiences we create every day. The Batavia Park District was established in 1969 through voter referendum. Since its establishment, the Park District maintains and operates approximately 400 acres, comprised of 40 sites, skate park with pump track, a unique aquatic facility, a museum and a multitude of baseball and soccer fields and tennis and basketball courts. The Park District offers nearly 2,000 programs each year and serves roughly 95,000 participants through various recreational, arts, and environmental programs. The Batavia Park District is committed to excellence and is a leader in providing leisure experiences that enhance the quality of life for our community. Job Summary: Reporting to the Director of Creative Development and Community Engagement, the Creative Communications Specialist supports the District’s brand image through digital, electronic, premiums and print media. The Creative Communications Specialist is responsible for developing and creating of marketing campaigns, the Fun Guide, printed publications, written communication, research, and providing insights of reports regarding; Parks & Recreation, trends, competitors and current campaigns. Essential Functions: Manage the Batavia Park District’s printed “Fun Guide” publication three times per year. Oversee the content and designing of “The Batavian” or similar publication on a bi-monthly basis for the Batavia Park District. Implement and monitor the strategic positioning, branding, and marketing for the District as directed by the Director of Creative Development and Community Engagement. Responsible for promoting the business and brand through social media channels by creating content that increases awareness of park district programs, events and amenities by managing the company’s presence and real time event updates on various social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Write and send news releases to local media on events, news and items of interest to the community. Work closely with the Director of Creative Development and Community Engagement with the creation, execution, design direction, and evaluation of comprehensive marketing plans for programs and special events for the Batavia Park District including sub-brands: The Batavia Depot Museum, Hall Quarry Beach, Energy City Soccer, New Adventures PlayLab and New Horizons Preschool. Design and manage promotional materials for programs and special events. Design and maintain internal materials and documents. Produce interior and exterior signage for the District, as needed. Craft creative content and photograph District events and programs for use in the brochure and other promotional materials. Work collaboratively with independent photographers and designers. Work special events throughout the year, as needed to provide operational support, take photos and facilitate a great customer experience. Collaborate with other departments to assist with their marketing needs. Attend various training meetings, seminars and conferences to bring education and ideas to the District. Work with outside vendors, providing specifications for outside print projects, as necessary. Participate and add value to an assigned District committee. Support other areas within Marketing Department as requested by Director of Creative Development and Community Engagement. Perform all other duties as assigned within the guidelines and rules of District’s safety program. Job Requirements Education and Experience: This position requires a bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, graphic design, or a related field and a minimum of three years of experience in marketing, digital media, graphic design, writing, or a related field. Experience in sales, ADA digital requirements, website management, project management, customer service, filming, editing and producing videos, and market analytics is considered a plus. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Confident computer skills including email, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and Canva Excellent typing, verbal and written communication skills Attention to detail and strong language, design and proofreading skills Highly organized with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines Ability to communicate effectively and proactively with internal and external customers Proficiency in planning, analysis, negotiating, organizing and record keeping Knowledge of marketing strategies Excellent interpersonal skills, which include working effectively as a team player Ability to understand/anticipate customer’s needs and contribute to a customer service environment Considerable skill in analyzing and problem solving Proven ability to network and build relationships Ability to portray a professional image of the District Physical Demands/Work Environment: This position is full time and classified as benefits eligible exempt. In this role, you will be required to work days, occasional evenings, occasional weekends, and certain holidays, along with participation in activities and events. This is an on-site position. This job is performed in a typical office environment and requires frequent sitting and occasional standing, walking, climbing, balancing, reaching, lifting, kneeling, crouching and/or carrying items up to 35 pounds. At times, this job will be performed at special events in an outdoor setting and in addition to the above, may also include working in all types of weather, including extreme heat, cold, rain and wind. Scheduling, pay and benefits Full Time, Exempt Hours: Monday – Friday, 8-hour day, onsite at the Batavia Park District Civic Center with occasional evenings, weekends and certain holidays along with participation in activities and events Pay Range: Anticipated hiring salary $51,000 – $63,000 depending on qualifications Employee Benefits IMRF pension/retirement plan, Paid days off (vacation, sick, personal, holidays & floating holidays), medical, dental and life insurance, AFLAC, Working Advantage discount program, in-house park district activities for employee and family and more! Why Join the Batavia Park District? You’ll help create memorable experiences for thousands of community members each year. We believe in innovation, collaboration, creativity and investing in our employees. If you're looking for a career where your work makes a visible impact every day, we'd love to meet you. The Batavia Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer #J-18808-Ljbffr Batavia