Social Media Manager (Volunteer)
Minds Matter Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
Minds Matter Chicago is part of Minds Matter, a national organization with chapters in cities across the country. Minds Matter connects driven and determined students from low-income families with the people, preparation, and possibilities to succeed in college, create their future, and change the world.
Through a multi-year, cohort-based model, Minds Matter Chicago provides individualized mentoring, academic enrichment, and college advising to support students as they navigate the path to and through college. Our work is grounded in a student-centered approach and focused on ensuring students have the access, guidance, and support needed to achieve their academic and personal goals.
Role Overview
The Social Media Manager is a volunteer role responsible for shaping and executing digital storytelling that elevates the mission, impact, and community of Minds Matter Chicago. This role supports a student-centered culture guided by the organization’s mission by creating engaging, authentic content that connects students, families, volunteers, donors, and partners to our work.
This is an opportunity for a creative and strategic communicator to expand Minds Matter Chicago’s digital footprint while contributing meaningfully to student success and access to opportunity.
What You Will Gain From This Role
Volunteering with Minds Matter Chicago offers meaningful professional, personal, and community-based benefits. In this role, volunteers become part of a collaborative community committed to supporting students as they navigate critical academic and life transitions.
Benefits include:
Career Compass Exchange, an intentional space for volunteers to engage in professional learning, reflection, and skill-building alongside peers across industries
Opportunities to build and expand professional networks through collaboration with staff, board members, and volunteers who bring diverse perspectives and expertise
Experience working within a mission-driven, team-oriented environment that values shared responsibility, collaboration, and mutual support
Volunteers with Minds Matter Chicago gain not only professional experience and community, but also the chance to be part of work that has a lasting and meaningful impact on students’ lives.
Reporting Structure
The Social Media Manager reports to the Director of Marketing & Communications and works closely with the Marketing & Communications team.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role collaborates regularly with:
Marketing & Communications team to align messaging and strategy
Program Team to capture stories, milestones, and program impact
Associate Board and volunteers to amplify events and initiatives
Design partners to bring visual concepts to life
Responsibilities & Scope
Primary Responsibilities
Execute and refine a year-round content calendar across Instagram (primary), Facebook, and LinkedIn
Develop timely, trend-aware content that aligns with organizational values and resonates with diverse audiences
Capture and edit high-quality photos and short-form videos using tools such as Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Premiere Rush, Canva, and CapCut, ensuring content aligns with brand standards and platform best practices
Produce and optimize visual content for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other relevant channels, managing the full workflow from concept and on-site capture to final edit and scheduling.
Draft, schedule, and manage social media content that reflect program impact and organizational priorities
Balance messaging for multiple audiences, including students and families, current and prospective volunteers, and donors
Monitor platform performance, engagement, and growth metrics to inform content strategy
Support community growth by increasing follower engagement and reach across platforms
Secondary Responsibilities
Identify emerging platform trends, tools, and features to keep content fresh and effective
Test new content formats and iterate based on performance insights
Collaborate on content capture during programs or events (optional but encouraged)
Support additional communications projects as needed
Student Services Support
Provide student services support in emergency or capacity-related situations as needed to ensure continuity of services
Time Commitment and Schedule
Volunteer commitment of approximately 5–10 hours per week
Flexible schedule with remote work
Optional in-person engagement for events, networking, or content capture opportunities
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Strong understanding of Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn best practices
Demonstrated ability to create engaging, on-brand content
Strong portfolio demonstrating a range of design work across formats and platforms
Strong time management skills and ability to work independently
Comfort collaborating remotely while maintaining creative ownership
Commitment to the mission and values of Minds Matter Chicago
Preferred Qualifications
3–5 years of social media management experience (professional or significant volunteer experience)
Experience growing digital audiences and engagement
Familiarity with social media analytics and performance tracking
Experience in nonprofit, education, or mission-driven marketing
Education & Experience
Relevant professional, volunteer, or lived experience in communications, marketing, or digital media
Language & Communication Skills
Strong written communication skills with the ability to adapt tone for different audiences
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with internal stakeholders
Copywriting and design experience valued
Training & Compliance Requirements
Completion of required onboarding and role-specific training
Participation in training focused on fostering belonging, respect, and culturally responsive practices
Adherence to organizational policies and expectations that support a student-centered culture aligned with the mission of the organization
Compliance with applicable funder or regulatory requirements
Completion of background checks and clearances required for work with students
Participation in ongoing training or refresher sessions as required
This is an at-will volunteer position. Service in this role is subject to ongoing evaluation and assessment throughout the year to ensure alignment with organizational expectations and needs.
Minds Matter Chicago reserves the right to modify or discontinue this role, including the removal of responsibilities, at any time and without cause.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Through a multi-year, cohort-based model, Minds Matter Chicago provides individualized mentoring, academic enrichment, and college advising to support students as they navigate the path to and through college. Our work is grounded in a student-centered approach and focused on ensuring students have the access, guidance, and support needed to achieve their academic and personal goals.
Role Overview
The Social Media Manager is a volunteer role responsible for shaping and executing digital storytelling that elevates the mission, impact, and community of Minds Matter Chicago. This role supports a student-centered culture guided by the organization’s mission by creating engaging, authentic content that connects students, families, volunteers, donors, and partners to our work.
This is an opportunity for a creative and strategic communicator to expand Minds Matter Chicago’s digital footprint while contributing meaningfully to student success and access to opportunity.
What You Will Gain From This Role
Volunteering with Minds Matter Chicago offers meaningful professional, personal, and community-based benefits. In this role, volunteers become part of a collaborative community committed to supporting students as they navigate critical academic and life transitions.
Benefits include:
Career Compass Exchange, an intentional space for volunteers to engage in professional learning, reflection, and skill-building alongside peers across industries
Opportunities to build and expand professional networks through collaboration with staff, board members, and volunteers who bring diverse perspectives and expertise
Experience working within a mission-driven, team-oriented environment that values shared responsibility, collaboration, and mutual support
Volunteers with Minds Matter Chicago gain not only professional experience and community, but also the chance to be part of work that has a lasting and meaningful impact on students’ lives.
Reporting Structure
The Social Media Manager reports to the Director of Marketing & Communications and works closely with the Marketing & Communications team.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role collaborates regularly with:
Marketing & Communications team to align messaging and strategy
Program Team to capture stories, milestones, and program impact
Associate Board and volunteers to amplify events and initiatives
Design partners to bring visual concepts to life
Responsibilities & Scope
Primary Responsibilities
Execute and refine a year-round content calendar across Instagram (primary), Facebook, and LinkedIn
Develop timely, trend-aware content that aligns with organizational values and resonates with diverse audiences
Capture and edit high-quality photos and short-form videos using tools such as Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Premiere Rush, Canva, and CapCut, ensuring content aligns with brand standards and platform best practices
Produce and optimize visual content for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other relevant channels, managing the full workflow from concept and on-site capture to final edit and scheduling.
Draft, schedule, and manage social media content that reflect program impact and organizational priorities
Balance messaging for multiple audiences, including students and families, current and prospective volunteers, and donors
Monitor platform performance, engagement, and growth metrics to inform content strategy
Support community growth by increasing follower engagement and reach across platforms
Secondary Responsibilities
Identify emerging platform trends, tools, and features to keep content fresh and effective
Test new content formats and iterate based on performance insights
Collaborate on content capture during programs or events (optional but encouraged)
Support additional communications projects as needed
Student Services Support
Provide student services support in emergency or capacity-related situations as needed to ensure continuity of services
Time Commitment and Schedule
Volunteer commitment of approximately 5–10 hours per week
Flexible schedule with remote work
Optional in-person engagement for events, networking, or content capture opportunities
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Strong understanding of Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn best practices
Demonstrated ability to create engaging, on-brand content
Strong portfolio demonstrating a range of design work across formats and platforms
Strong time management skills and ability to work independently
Comfort collaborating remotely while maintaining creative ownership
Commitment to the mission and values of Minds Matter Chicago
Preferred Qualifications
3–5 years of social media management experience (professional or significant volunteer experience)
Experience growing digital audiences and engagement
Familiarity with social media analytics and performance tracking
Experience in nonprofit, education, or mission-driven marketing
Education & Experience
Relevant professional, volunteer, or lived experience in communications, marketing, or digital media
Language & Communication Skills
Strong written communication skills with the ability to adapt tone for different audiences
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with internal stakeholders
Copywriting and design experience valued
Training & Compliance Requirements
Completion of required onboarding and role-specific training
Participation in training focused on fostering belonging, respect, and culturally responsive practices
Adherence to organizational policies and expectations that support a student-centered culture aligned with the mission of the organization
Compliance with applicable funder or regulatory requirements
Completion of background checks and clearances required for work with students
Participation in ongoing training or refresher sessions as required
This is an at-will volunteer position. Service in this role is subject to ongoing evaluation and assessment throughout the year to ensure alignment with organizational expectations and needs.
Minds Matter Chicago reserves the right to modify or discontinue this role, including the removal of responsibilities, at any time and without cause.
#J-18808-Ljbffr