Community Relations and Outreach Manager

Illinois Tollway - Downers Grove, IL

Full-time

Downers Grove, IL

Administration of Economic Programs

About the position

The Illinois Tollway is dedicated to providing and promoting a safe and efficient system of highways while ensuring the highest possible level of service to our customers. Whether it's I-PASS, the Move Illinois Program, open road tolling, or keeping you safe with our H.E.L.P. trucks, we are committed to delivering great benefits and services to customers. The Tollway operates as a user-fee system, meaning no state or federal tax dollars are used to support maintenance and operations; instead, operations are funded by toll and concession revenues. Under the leadership of the Board of Directors and Executive Staff, the Tollway is committed to achieving several goals: increasing collaboration with regional transportation and planning agencies, promoting the regional economy, maintaining financial integrity, fostering environmental responsibility and sustainability, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the Tollway system, enhancing customer service, and maintaining public trust. In support of this vision, the position of Community Relations and Outreach Manager is crucial to the Illinois Tollway's capital programs, including the current $15 billion Move Illinois program. This role serves as a liaison between both internal and external entities, representing the Tollway at a senior level with community agencies, regional planning groups, and various community councils. The Community Relations and Outreach Manager is responsible for developing an overall outreach plan to help advance the goals and objectives of the Tollway, ensuring that the various governmental agencies and communities are informed about the Tollway's accomplishments. The position requires successful coordination between governmental agencies, communities, and regional planning groups to find common ground regarding management and funding issues that may impact the Illinois Tollway's future growth, land use, infrastructure, and transportation issues related to the agency's capital program. This role involves researching complex issues, developing recommended actions, preparing informative reports, and delivering persuasive presentations to senior management and elected officials. The Community Relations and Outreach Manager will also be responsible for planning and coordinating numerous community events and forums, requiring large numbers of participants, including legislative officials and business leaders. This individual must possess strong human relations skills, diplomacy, and the ability to handle sensitive and political information while representing the Illinois Tollway effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an overall outreach plan to advance the goals and objectives of the Tollway.
• Serve as a liaison between internal and external entities, representing the Tollway at a senior level with community agencies and regional planning groups.
• Coordinate closely with the Stakeholder Engagement Department regarding media needs in community relations efforts.
• Conduct in-depth media and public opinion analyses and make policy recommendations based on findings.
• Plan, coordinate, and disseminate a professional media and community relations strategy.
• Organize community meetings and forums on sensitive or complex subjects.
• Monitor and analyze community response and media coverage of the Illinois Tollway.
• Design and coordinate professional community events, presentations, and conferences involving policy-makers.
• Establish and maintain diplomatic relations with elected officials, community organizations, and the media.
• Prepare executive-level reports and correspondence, advising on potential community reactions to Tollway policies.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Communications, Business, Public or Policy administration is required.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible related experience in local government work.
• Minimum of three years experience in media and/or public affairs, including developing media or outreach strategies.
• Excellent oral and written communications, interpersonal, and organization skills.
• Ability to compile and summarize information in clear, concise, relevant, and professional reports.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's Degree
• Working knowledge of business, real estate practices, appraisal, and property management.
• Knowledge of governmental and municipality processes.

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunity employer
• Commitment to diversity in the workplace