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Community Relations Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Senior Lifestyle

Community Relations Director

Elgin, IL

$78K - $85K/yr

The Community Relations Director will lead the sales and marketing department at the community. Salary: $78k - $85k plus commission * Schedule, organize, and conduct tours with prospective resident ...

Senior Lifestyle

Community Relations Director

Elgin, IL · On-site

$78K - $85K/yr

The Community Relations Director will lead the sales and marketing department at the community. Salary: $78k - $85k plus commission * Schedule, organize, and conduct tours with prospective resident ...

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All JobsCommunity Relations JobsCommunity Relations Jobs in Chicago, IL

Community Relations information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$37.1K

$126.7K

$142.7K

How much do community relations jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for community relations in Chicago, IL is $126,679.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $142,200.00 and $142,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is community relations?

Community relations refers to the practice of building and maintaining positive relationships between an organization and the communities in which it operates. Professionals in this field work to foster goodwill, address concerns, and create partnerships that benefit both the organization and the public. Their responsibilities often include organizing events, managing communications, and supporting corporate social responsibility initiatives. Effective community relations help improve the organization's reputation and ensure mutual understanding with stakeholders.

How does a community relations professional typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

Community Relations professionals often work closely with departments such as marketing, public relations, and human resources to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with the organization's goals. They may coordinate events, manage partnerships, and gather feedback from the community to relay important insights internally. Successful collaboration requires strong communication skills and the ability to balance community needs with organizational objectives, ensuring that initiatives are both meaningful and effective.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a community relations specialist, and why are they important?

To excel as a Community Relations Specialist, you need strong communication, public relations, and organizational skills, typically supported by a degree in communications, public relations, or a related field. Familiarity with social media platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and event planning tools is often required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and problem-solving abilities help you build trust and positive connections with diverse community stakeholders. These skills are crucial for fostering meaningful engagement, enhancing an organization’s reputation, and effectively addressing community needs.

What is the difference between Community Relations vs Public Relations?

AspectCommunity RelationsPublic Relations
Primary FocusBuilding and maintaining relationships with local communities and stakeholdersManaging the organization's public image and media relations
Work EnvironmentCommunity events, local organizations, nonprofit settingsMedia outlets, press releases, corporate communications
Required CredentialsCommunications, Public Relations, or related degrees; often requires community engagement experienceCommunications, Journalism, or Public Relations degrees; media relations experience

While both roles involve communication skills and stakeholder engagement, Community Relations focuses on local community partnerships and grassroots efforts, whereas Public Relations emphasizes managing the organization's overall public image and media interactions. Understanding these differences helps organizations target the right skills and strategies for each role.

What degree do you need for community relations?

A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field is typically required for community relations roles. Relevant skills such as interpersonal communication, public speaking, and experience with community engagement are also important.

What do you do in community relations?

A community relations professional manages relationships between an organization and the community it serves. They organize events, communicate with stakeholders, and develop programs to promote positive engagement and support the organization's goals. Strong communication skills and knowledge of local issues are essential in this role.

What skills are needed for community relations jobs?

Community relations jobs require strong communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with community members and stakeholders. Additionally, skills in public speaking, conflict resolution, event planning, and cultural competency are important, along with the ability to manage social media and public outreach efforts. Organizational skills and knowledge of local issues also enhance effectiveness in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Community Relations jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Community Relations jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Community Relations jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Community Relations jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Community Relations jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Community Relations jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Community Relations jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Community Relations job openings:

Community Relations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Community Relations job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $126,679 per year, or $60.9 per hour.

Community Relations Rep

Chicago Public Schools

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Community Relations Representative I
CLASS TITLE: Community Relations Representative I
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS: Under the supervision of the school principal, functions as a liaison between the school, community, parents, and students to improve school/community relations and student attendance problems and performs related duties as required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Provides support to teachers experiencing serious student truancy problems; establishes relationships with community organizations and social service agencies to identify existing resources and services; works with students and families of students with truancy problems to determine causes of truancy problems; develops resource networks and accompanies students and parents or guardians to community and social service agencies that provide services and referrals not directly provided by the Chicago Public Schools; assists in compiling periodic activity reports for submission to supervisory staff; meets with community organizations to obtain information and literature concerning available services for distribution to students and their families as necessary; and prepares and maintains pertinent records and reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Training and Experience. Graduation from an accredited educational institution with an associate's degree or the successful completion of two years of college-level coursework at an accredited college or university supplemented by three years of experience in community organizations or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills. Good knowledge of various community organizations and social service agencies that serve the community in which the school is located. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various community organizations and social service agencies that serve the community in which the school is located. Good interpersonal and human relations skills; effective oral and written communication skills.
Physical Requirements. Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force frequently to move objects. Even though weight of force moved may be only a negligible amount, a position should be rated as Light Work (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing or pulling of arm controls.

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