Multimedia Specialist

Job Description

CNI is seeking a creative and detail-oriented Multimedia Specialist to join our growing Digital Services team. This role will be responsible for creating and managing visual and multimedia content that supports CNI’s news coverage, fundraising, promotional efforts, and audience engagement initiatives. The person in this role will build advertising content for clients, as well as for news partners of Capitol News Illinois and the Illinois Press Association. The ideal candidate is experienced in graphic design, video editing, photo editing, and multimedia production, with a passion for public service journalism.

What We Offer:

• Salary range: $40,000 - $48,000/year (based on experience)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Remote work flexibility (Illinois residency preferred)
• Opportunities to contribute to meaningful journalism that serves the public interest

How to Apply:
Submit your resume, a brief cover letter, and a portfolio or samples of relevant work to kstackhouse@capitolnewsillinois.com.

Capitol News Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
 

Job Requirements

Multimedia Production & Visual Storytelling (40%)

• Develop compelling visual content that promotes the mission, impact, and brand of Capitol News Illinois (CNI) to key audiences including readers, funders, and partner newsrooms.
• Create promotional materials for fundraising campaigns, news initiatives, and public events - including graphics, short videos, slide decks, and email/social graphics.
• Collaborate with the development and engagement teams to visually communicate CNI’s work and strengthen its position as a trusted public service journalism outlet.

Advertising Design & Production (30%)

• Design digital advertisements for clients and sponsors running campaigns across CNI and Illinois Press Association (IPA) platforms, including websites, email newsletters, and social media.
• Create print-ready ad materials for IPA's network of more than 400+ newspaper partners across Illinois.
• Work with internal advertising and corporate support teams to fulfill client advertising needs and maintain brand and content consistency.
• Ensure all ad content meets technical and visual standards and adheres to any applicable brand guidelines.

Social Media Content Creation (20%)

• Produce short-form video, reels, and image-based content to highlight CNI reporting, investigations, events, and impact.
• Collaborate with the audience engagement team to align social visuals with campaign goals and current news coverage.
• Support CNI’s digital growth by designing content optimized for engagement across platforms including X/BlueSky, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
• Contribute to developing a cohesive visual identity for CNI’s social media presence.

Newsroom & Distribution Support (10%)

• Assist in publishing of CNI content, including uploading stories, selecting or editing images, and formatting posts for the CNI website and newsletter.
• Support distribution of CNI content to partner newsrooms across the state, ensuring consistency and quality control across platforms.
• Coordinate with reporters and editors to gather assets needed for story promotion and multimedia packaging.
• Help maintain CNI’s photo and graphics archive for ongoing use and future reference.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in multimedia production, graphic design, or digital communications.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects).
• Experience with CMS platforms, social media publishing tools, and analytics dashboards.
• Strong visual storytelling skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Photography experience preferred.
• Degree not required, but equivalent professional experience is essential.

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