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Director of Narrative Power & Advocacy | Development Manager | Intern
Director of Narrative Power & Advocacy
The Director of Narrative Power and Advocacy is a key leadership role responsible for shaping and advancing FOTP’s public narrative, community voice, and advocacy campaigns. This role integrates strategic communications, marketing, community organizing, advocacy, and government relations to drive systemic change.
Reporting to the Executive Director this senior leader works to shift narratives while mobilizing people, strengthening partnerships, and influencing policy outcomes aligned with organizational mission. This role operates at the intersection of storytelling, power-building, policy, and brand, ensuring that community voice drives both narrative and action while elevating FOTP’s visibility.
FOTP is a hybrid work environment that requires at least two days of work in the downtown Chicago office.
The following list of responsibilities will be prioritized according to a work plan established in collaboration with the executive director.
Advocacy & Coalition Building
Develop advocacy campaigns and lead grassroots coalitions that align with the organization’s policy priorities
Maintain strong relationships between the organization and community partners that center inclusion, justice, and equity
Serve as a liaison with Park Advisory Councils
Develop and maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders, including elected and government officials
Develop and coordinate advocacy opportunities for stakeholders to organize in support of our campaigns and issues
Staff Board of Directors Advocacy Committee.
Develop & Lead Public Relations Strategy
Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual communications plan and strategies to promote the organization’s mission
Represent the organization at events and in the community
Support partnership communications
Develop Brand & Messaging
Maintain a consistent voice, tone, and visual identity across all external materials
Ensure all communications reflect the organization's mission and values
Develop and steward key messages for different audiences
Manage Content & Storytelling
Write and produce content across channels — newsletters, social media, website, press releases, annual reports, and donor communications
Tell the stories of impact in ways that connect emotionally with supporters
Manage photography and filming, or coordinate the creation of visual content
Produce content for the organization’s events and campaigns
Lead Media (Earned and Social) & Public Relations
Build and maintain relationships with local and relevant media
Pitch stories and respond to press inquiries
Monitor media coverage and manage the organization's public profile
Manage social media channels with consistent posting and engagement
Maintain and update the website
Track analytics and use data to improve reach and engagement
Deliver media and communications that complement the organization's programs, including advocacy and policy initiatives
Policy Priorities & Research
Develop and implement public policy priorities that align with the organization’s goals and objectives
Lead the organization in researching, analyzing, and synthesizing complex information to draft policy proposals, reports, and recommendations.
Research and analyze laws, regulations, and trends to make informed decisions when creating policies
Develop a legislative strategy to advance the organization’s objectives and track legislation affecting Chicago's parks
Serve as the primary contact for public records requests
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; a master’s degree in a relevant field or J.D. is preferred.
Seven-plus years of progressive experience in public relations, corporate communications, advocacy, policy, and/or government affairs
Ability to balance a large workload across all areas of the job
Experience in developing, executing, and monitoring public affairs strategies and campaigns
Strong understanding of environmental justice, park issues, community organizing, and the city of Chicago politics
Exceptional public speaking, writing, and presentation skills
Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, partners, and elected and government officials
Ability to produce high-level, exciting, and interesting brand-driven content
Experience building and executing a social media and earned media strategy
Self-motivated person who is highly skilled at time and task management
Analytical skills to solve problems and find the best way to convey a message
Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask and prioritize projects while working on a deadline or in a fast-paced environment
Strong team builder who thrives in collaboration while taking initiative
The technological skills to manage the organization’s website, CRM (EveryAction), Google Suite, etc.
Strong project manager with experience supervising a team
Compensation
Annual salary range is between $78,000 and $ 83,000, depending on experience. FOTP offers a competitive benefits package that includes health care, dental, and life. An employee-matched retirement plan is available after three months of employment.
To Apply
Send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Jobs@FOTP.org. The subject line must include “Director of Narrative Power & Advocacy”.
The deadline to apply is September 1, 2026, or until the position is filled.
Development Manager
The development manager reports directly to the executive director and manages FOTP’s foundation, corporate, and individual fundraising strategies. The development manager plays a key role in advancing FOTP’s giving program by building meaningful relationships, growing donor engagement, and strengthening the pipeline for future major gifts. The development manager sits at the intersection of relationship management, project execution, data oversight, and operational coordination.
FOTP is a hybrid work environment that requires at least two days of work in the downtown Chicago office. Some weekends and evenings may be required.
The following list of responsibilities will be prioritized according to a work plan established in collaboration with the executive director.
Foundation Coordination
Manage the grants calendar
Lead the prospect research, writing, and submission of proposals, letters of inquiry (LOI), and grant reports to foundations, ensuring adherence to deadlines
Cultivate relationships with foundation program officers
Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships to facilitate new opportunities and strengthen FOTP’s connections within the philanthropic community
Attend meetings and site visits with prospective and current funders as required; represent FOTP at external events and briefings where FOTP should have a voice.
Donor Cultivation and Management
Maintain donor records, fundraising database, and tracking systems
Ensure proper donor recognition and stewardship in newsletters, reports, and at events
Support FOTP’s individual giving program by new prospect identification, cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation while strengthening existing donor relationships
Provide support for fundraising events, donor cultivation events, and special campaigns
Collaborate with staff on fundraising appeals, donor communications, newsletters, impact reports, social media campaigns, and event promotion.
Create fundraising materials, sponsorship packets, presentations, and other donor-facing collateral
Assist in developing strategies to diversify revenue sources and expand the organization’s fundraising capacity
Complete other tasks and assignments as requested
Business & Corporate Support
Identify corporate and small business funding opportunities.
Develop and manage corporate sponsorships, employee giving programs, and philanthropic partnerships.
Qualifications
Three-plus years of experience in nonprofit development and fundraising, corporate engagement, or a related field.
Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent work experience
Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising best practices and various forms of development solicitation practices, including events, corporate partnerships, cause marketing, and major gift solicitation
Grant-writing and time-management skills required
Ability to produce high-level, exciting, and interesting brand-driven content
Superior relationship-building and interpersonal skills to build trust with internal and external stakeholders
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to manage confidential matters with utmost integrity
Passion for FOTP’s mission.
Self-motivated person highly skilled in time and task management
Analytical skills to solve problems
Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask and prioritize projects under deadlines or in fast-paced environments.
Strong team builder who strives in collaboration while taking initiative
Proficient with Google and Microsoft Suite and EveryAction or comparable CRM system, preferred.
Compensation
The annual salary range is between $60,000 and $65,000. FOTP offers a competitive benefits package that includes health care, dental, and life insurance. An employee-matched retirement plan is available after three months of employment.
To Apply
Send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Jobs@FOTP.org. The subject line must include “Development Manager”.
The deadline to apply is September 1, 2026, or until the position is filled.
Friends of the Parks Internship Program
The FOTP Internship Program allows university students to turn their passion for conservation, environmental education, and community engagement into real-world experience. Interns gain practical skills, explore nonprofit operations, and contribute directly to projects in advocacy and policy, communications, development, and environmental education.
FOTP is proud to partner with leading academic institutions to provide meaningful internship opportunities that connect students with hands-on experience in park advocacy, environmental stewardship, community engagement, research, and nonprofit leadership.
Our university partnerships include collaborations with Loyola University Chicago, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, creating pathways for students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world projects that support Chicago’s parks and communities. Our UIC partnership includes work with specialized programs such as the UIC Illuminate Program and the UIC Freshwater Lab.
Through these partnerships, interns gain professional experience while contributing to initiatives that advance equitable access to parks, environmental research, and community-driven park advocacy throughout Chicago.