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Director of External Affairs
FOTP is seeking a Director of External Affairs to lead our outward facing strategies including advocacy, communications, and outreach. This new position will be responsible for leading the organization’s advocacy efforts, including developing, advancing, and implementing the organization’s policy priorities, coordination with coalition partners, and activating our base of members and supporters. The Director of External Affairs is responsible for developing and implementing our external narrative and communications strategies to advance our work. This position will supervise our Environmental Educator, collaborate with staff and consultants, and report directly to the Executive Director. Some weekends and evenings are required. We are a hybrid office with at least 2 days in our downtown Chicago office.
The following list of responsibilities will be prioritized according to a work plan established in collaboration with the Executive Director.
Develop & Lead Public Relations Strategy
Develop, implement, and evaluate 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 creation of visual content
Produce content for 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
Policy Priorities and Research
Develop and implement 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.
Researching and analyzing laws, regulations, and trends to make informed decisions when creating policies.
Deliver media and communications that complement advocacy and policy initiatives.
Develop legislative strategy to carry out our objectives; and track both policy and funding legislation affecting Chicago's parks.
Serves as primary contact for public records requests
Advocacy and Coalition Building
Develop advocacy campaigns and lead grassroots coalitions that align with the organization’s policy priorities
Maintain strong relationships between the organization and our community partners that centers inclusion, justice, and equity.
Serve as a liaison with Park Advisory Councils
Develop and manage relationships with elected officials and government officials
Attend meetings, events, conferences on issues related to the policy and advocacy agenda of the organization.
Develop and maintain relationships with relevant potential donors for our advocacy and policy engagement work.
Develop and coordinate advocacy opportunities for stakeholders to organize in support of our campaigns and issues.
Staff the Advocacy Committee of the Board of Directors.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; a master’s degree or J.D. is preferred.
7-plus years of progressive experience in public relations, corporate communications, advocacy, policy, and/or government affairs
Ability to balance 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 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 that strives in collaboration while taking initiative
The technological skills to manage the organization’s website, work with our CRM (EveryAction), Google Suites, etc.
Strong Project manager with experience supervising a team
Compensation
Annual salary range is between $72,000 and $80,000 depending on experience. FOTP offers a competitive benefits package that includes health care, dental, and life. An employee matched retirement plan is available after 3 months of employment.
To Apply
Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and sample marketing materials which you have solely produced to Jobs@FOTP.org. The subject line must include “Director of External Affairs”. The deadline to apply is April 10, 2026 or until the position is filled.
Foundation & Business Relations Manager
FOTP is seeking a part-time Foundation & Business Relations Manager to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward grants and corporate partnerships to secure institutional funding.This new position will be responsible for leading the organization’s work researching, cultivating, applying, and reporting to foundations. The Foundation & Business Relations Manager will report directly to the Executive Director. Some weekends and evenings may be required. This is a part-time position of 20 hours/week. We are a hybrid office with at least 2 days in our downtown Chicago office and this position will need to work out of the office at least one of those days.
The following list of responsibilities will be prioritized according to a work plan established in collaboration with the Executive Director.
Lead the prospect research, writing, and submission of proposals, letters of inquiry (LOI), and grant reports to foundations, ensuring adherence to deadline
Produce comprehensive, compelling, and detailed proposals, grant applications and reports about the impact of FOTP’s programs
Cultivate relationships with foundation program officers and corporate stakeholders
Develop and maintain external relationships to facilitate new opportunities and strengthen FOTP’s connections within the funding 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.
Set up meetings and provide support to Executive Director throughout the process
Identify corporate and small business funding opportunities
Develop and manage corporate sponsorships, employee giving programs, and philanthropic partnerships.
Manage the grants calendar, reporting requirement
Collaborate with leadership to develop fundraising strategies, manage the donor database (EveryAction), and analyze revenue data
Ensure proper recognition of institutional donors, including acknowledgments in newsletters, reports, and events
Working with the Development Team and The Development Committee of the Board of Directors to, actively participate in idea generation for creative fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship pieces, including marketing materials
Completes other tasks and assignments as requested
Qualifications
3-plus years’ experience in nonprofit development and fundraising, corporate engagement, or relevant experience
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 who is highly skilled at time and task management
Analytical skills to solve problems
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 that strives in collaboration while taking initiative
Proficient with Google and Microsoft Suite and EveryAction or comparable CRM system, preferred
Compensation
Annual salary range is between $28,000 and $32,000 for a part-time job of 20 hours a week. Part time employees are eligible to pay into our benefits package that includes health care, dental, and life.
To Apply
Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and sample marketing materials which you have solely produced to Jobs@FOTP.org. The subject line must include “Foundations & Business Manager”. The deadline to apply is April 10, 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.
Through a formal partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), for example, students can earn academic credit while working on hands-on projects that connect coursework to community-based conservation. These collaborations prepare students for future careers and strengthen research and advocacy around local environmental issues.
We’re expanding this work by building partnerships with more universities in Illinois and beyond—creating even more opportunities for students to grow while advancing our mission to protect and promote Chicago’s parks and open spaces.