Advocacy and Communications Manager

Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL) www.incil.org

Location: Springfield, Illinois Employment: Full-time, exempt Compensation: $60,000–$66,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; employer retirement contributions; paid holidays; paid vacation; and sick leave Application deadline: November 20, 2026

Help advance disability rights throughout Illinois

INCIL is seeking an Advocacy and Communications Manager to coordinate our public-policy advocacy and help communicate the issues that matter to people with disabilities. INCIL is the statewide association representing Illinois’s 22 Centers for Independent Living.

This position combines legislative monitoring, government relations, coalition engagement, media relations, and accessible communications. If you can translate complex issues into clear information, build productive relationships, and help people take action, we encourage you to apply.

About the position

The Advocacy and Communications Manager reports directly to the Executive Director and works with member Centers, INCIL staff, policymakers, and community partners to advance approved organizational priorities.

Responsibilities include

• Monitoring legislation, regulations, budgets, administrative actions, and other policy developments affecting people with disabilities and Centers for Independent Living.
• Analyzing policy proposals and explaining their practical impact clearly and accurately.
• Coordinating advocacy activities and preparing policy summaries, testimony, talking points, briefing materials, and advocacy alerts.
• Supporting relationships with elected officials, agency personnel, and other decision-makers.
• Participating in coalitions, workgroups, public meetings, and community partnerships consistent with INCIL’s approved positions.
• Developing and maintaining accessible content for INCIL’s website, newsletters, social media, email communications, publications, and other public-facing platforms.
• Drafting press releases, media statements, and responses; coordinating media inquiries; and representing INCIL publicly when authorized.
• Collaborating with member Centers and INCIL staff to elevate disability-led perspectives and communicate our programs, priorities, and impact.
• Maintaining appropriate records of advocacy, lobbying, communications, and public activities.
• Maintaining an advocacy and communications work plan, tracking deadlines and outcomes, and providing regular updates to the Executive Director.

Required qualifications

• Education, training, and professional or lived experience sufficient to perform the position’s responsibilities.
• Experience in advocacy, public policy, government relations, communications, media relations, community organizing, or a related field.
• Ability to analyze legislation, regulations, budgets, and policy proposals and explain their practical impact.
• Excellent writing, editing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build productive relationships with policymakers, community partners, member organizations, media representatives, and people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Proficiency with common office software, email communications, website content systems, social media platforms, and digital communications tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, exercise sound judgment, and work independently within established authority.
• Commitment to accessible communications, confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the Independent Living Philosophy, including consumer control, self-determination, informed choice, dignity of risk, equal access, inclusion, community integration, systems advocacy, and the leadership of people with disabilities.

Preferred qualifications

• Knowledge of the Illinois General Assembly, state agencies, legislative processes, and disability-related public policy.
• Experience working with a Center for Independent Living, disability-led organization, nonprofit association, or advocacy coalition.
• Familiarity with nonprofit lobbying rules, registration and reporting requirements, and grant-related advocacy restrictions.
• Experience with media outreach, digital engagement, communications planning, or analytics.
• Personal experience with disability is valued.

How to apply

Submit a résumé and brief cover letter describing your relevant experience and interest in INCIL to [email protected]. Use “Advocacy and Communications Manager Application” as the subject line.

Applications must be received by November 20, 2026.

Equal opportunity and accommodations

INCIL is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

INCIL provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation during the application or hiring process, contact Executive Director Matt Williams at [email protected].

Pay: $60,000.00 - $66,000.00 per year

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person