David Pickard Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Chicago, Il, Us

Chicago, Il, Us

• Lead strategic content development for this nationally recognized Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) working at the nexus of nonprofit facilities and finance, producing four feature-length stories each month for a newsletter distributed to 6,500+ subscribers. • Manage the production process for collateral materials to support business development, working closely with internal stakeholders and external consultants to develop engaging content that advances the organization’s strategic priorities.• Play a key role in strengthening the IFF brand by providing training for various business units to promote internal understanding of IFF’s brand, its design and style standards, and its communications strategy and goals. In 2022, led the development of an enterprise-level brand guide that established a consistent look, feel, and organizational “voice” across eight offices in seven Midwest states, as well as core messaging to communicate IFF’s value proposition.• Coordination with IFF’s marketing team to align outreach efforts and ensure brand consistency across diverse platforms and publications.• Support IFF’s response to current events relevant to stakeholders, and, in 2022, developed a decision-making matrix to guide crisis communications, piloted the framework, and refined the process to better meet organizational needs.

Chicago, Il, Us

• Provided counsel to enhance clients’ brand reputations through strategic communications programs closely aligned with business success metrics.• Led the day-to-day management of The Harbinger Group’s relationship with Powering Chicago, a labor-management partnership between the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Chicago and IBEW Local 134, Cook County’s electrical union. Specific responsibilities included project and budget management, content creation, social media management, earned media outreach, research, analytics, and impact reporting. • In the first year working with Powering Chicago, accomplishments included the development and execution of a robust content marketing strategy that resulted in an 83.9% increase in visitors to Powering Chicago’s website and exponential increases in community growth and engagement on Powering Chicago’s social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter). Launched a monthly newsletter in June 2020, growing the distribution list by 55% by March 2021. • Key contributions to The Harbinger Group’s account with First Command, a financial services company specializing in financial coaching for military families. Following a leadership transition, secured earned media opportunities for the new CEO in select target publications and assisted with the development of a comprehensive communications plan to strengthen the CEO’s personal brand. • Contributed to agency business development through networking, lead generation, proposal development, and pitch presentations.

Chicago, Illinois, Us

• Partnered with marketing specialists for Northern Trust’s Asset Servicing business in the Americas to develop content-driven marketing strategies to support individual business units’ goals and objectives, through both ongoing thought leadership and specific marketing campaigns.• Worked regularly with senior leaders and subject matter experts to define key messages and collect information necessary to develop compelling content for earned, owned and paid media channels.• Drafted and edited audience-centric marketing and communications materials, including bylined articles, press releases, case studies, promotional communications, presentations and talking points, that fostered engagement and prompted action among target audiences (e.g., investment managers, North American insurers).• Managed the content review process for developed pieces, securing necessary approvals from internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner and ensuring that finalized content was consistent with Northern Trust’s “voice” and brand guidelines.

Chicago, Illinois, Us

• Planned, developed, implemented and oversaw integrated communications and marketing strategies for clients in the nonprofit and corporate sectors, leading a team of up to seven account staff and interns while also managing freelancers and vendors. • Developed communications materials to clearly articulate value propositions and prompt action, including complex bylined content, press releases, media advisories, speeches, whitepapers, key messages, talking points, Q&A documents, website and social media content. • Led media relations campaigns – conceptualizing compelling story angles and pitches, flagging relevant news and providing strategic suggestions to insert clients into key industry conversations, developed media lists and engaged with diverse media to maximize positive coverage; routinely secured top-tier placements in outlets such as Bloomberg, Reuters, Quartz, Marketwatch, The New York Times, AP and more. • Created integrated social media strategies to reach target audiences - increasing awareness, engagement and action. Emphasis on leveraging LinkedIn to meet business objectives.• Served as primary point of contact on all assigned accounts; developed and adhered to program timelines, led client calls and meetings and generated monthly analytics and impact reporting.• Routinely participated in business development activities with senior leadership team, including the creation of new business proposals and presentations, business growth marketing strategies, budgeting and scopes of work for new client accounts.

Maywood, Illinois, Us

• Developed and executed an integrated marketing strategy spanning traditional, digital and social media platforms. • Increased social media engagement by more than 100% during tenure. • Worked closely with designer/developers to build and launch new website appealing to target stakeholder communities – donors, volunteers and service users.• Launched bi-weekly e-newsletter to increase awareness of agency’s work and drive traffic to Housing Forward website. • Ensured effectiveness of website content and usability, managing daily updates and integration with social media. • Served on Board of Directors subcommittee for agency-wide rebranding effort and acquisition of another nonprofit. • Developed consistent messaging across platforms and constituent groups for rebranding.• Researched, wrote and submitted public and private grant applications and reports, generating $2.3 million in revenue annually for this nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness in Chicago’s western suburbs. • Worked closely with the Executive Director, Director of Operations & Client Services and Director of Finance & Administration to ensure adequate and appropriate funding was secured. Assumed the responsibilities of Director of Development and Communications during five-month staff vacancy. • Led construction of a digital platform to manage 1,000-person volunteer network, while refining volunteer management processes to increase efficiency.• Supervised two AmeriCorps members responsible for volunteer coordination and community outreach.• Represented the fundraising and communications functions on two Board committees and at monthly Board meetings.

Maywood, Illinois, Us

Prepared all government grant applications (including but not limited to HUD, the State of Illinois, Cook County & local municipalities), which comprised more than half of the agency's budget, and numerous private grant applications. Also created the majority of the agency's social media & mass electronic communications, in conjunction with website management responsibilities. In addition, performed miscellaneous development work as needed. Specific activities included assistance with special events and prospect research.

Maywood, Illinois, Us

Assisted the Executive Director, the Director of Development & Communications, and the Director of Programs with a variety of administrative duties. Specific work included the creation and implementation of a safety & emergency procedures manual, the creation and implementation of a procedure manual for program managers, extensive work on public and private grant applications, preparation of progress reports for funders, and the development of new volunteer opportunities within the organization.

Master Of Public Administration (Mpa)

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Political Science And Government