PROGRAM DIR - CULTURAL AFFAIRS

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

PROGRAM DIRECTOR - CULTURAL AFFAIRS

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS (DCASE)

Marketing and Communications Division

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $ $118,128 - $133,524

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 03/21/2025

The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city - to strengthen and celebrate Chicago.

DCASE produces some of the city's most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city - serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago.

Under general direction, the Program Director - Cultural Affairs position will assist in directing marketing, public relations, social media, web and e-communications for a wide range of cultural programs for the public and local arts sector on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Marketing and Communications Division. In this capacity, the position will perform the following

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assists in the development and management of integrated internal and external public relations and communications operational objectives, work plans, and strategies for DCASE, including media relations, community relations, internal and external communications, media releases, social media, Web content, marketing, and promotion of programs, events, and festivals
• Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures; and develops and assists in the preparation of programming budgets, monitoring expenditures, and preparing reports
• Supervises, hires, trains, and motivates professional staff and interns in public relations programs, marketing strategies and campaigns, press outreach, media events, web, and e-communications; and makes recommendations on staff training and professional development opportunities
• Contacts the media and public as designated, assists in providing information for responses to daily press inquiries, assists in creating speeches and drafting correspondence and media messages, and educates and provides communication expertise and insight on DCASE's mission, history, current and upcoming programs, events, initiatives, and activities
• Writes and edits content for marketing materials using the DCASE editorial style manual for brochures, advertising, e-newsletters, etc.; plans and makes recommendations on department advertising including media buying; and researches and identifies current and industry trends and professional best practice standards
• Coordinates with staff in the creation, design, writing, and editing of reports, correspondence, and promotional materials
• Reviews and approves written and designed promotional materials produced by DCASE partners to ensure a consistent and unified voice and identity for the department
• Leads marketing and audience development activities by working with department programmers to develop comprehensive marketing plans for programs and events
• Receives, reviews, compiles information, and responds on the department's behalf to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
• Participates in a variety of internal and external meetings involving a range of issues related to public information issues
• Prepares and maintains activity reports of assigned programs, projects, and events ensuring objectives and program standards are met
• Performs related duties as assigned

Additional duties may be required for this position

NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are essential to positions within the class.

LOCATION: Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)

Marketing and Communications Division

78 E. Washington St., Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL 60602

HOURS: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday

Must be able to work some early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, have a flexible work schedule, and travel (maybe on 24-hour call)

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

* Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Administration, or a directly related field, plus five years of marketing experience and/or experience in the area of public information programs, of which two years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position

Equivalency:

* Master's Degree or Doctorate plus four years of experience of which two years are in a supervisory role.

NOTE: You must provide your transcripts or diploma at the time of processing

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a written exercise as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview will be selected.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

• Marketing communications experience in a nonprofit or government setting, ideally in the arts and culture sector
• Administrative experience in visual arts, performing arts, or creative arts programming

Knowledge: Knowledge of a wide range of communication media. Good knowledge of arts marketing, events marketing, advertising, web and e-communications trends. Excellent supervisory experience including direct leadership of program professionals, and administrative and clerical staff. Some knowledge of cultural arts and established media relationships

Abilities: Able to write concisely and clearly plus speak effectively to communicate multiple messages. Able to use social media to advance and promote programs. Capable of setting priorities and meeting deadlines. Demonstrated supervisory and leadership ability. Ability to direct media campaigns and public communications initiatives. Ability to work effectively in partnership with people of diverse backgrounds and on all levels on local, regional, national bases, preferably with related community engagement experience. Ability to write and speak Spanish fluently, preferably with related communications and media relations experience.

Skills: Considerable public relations and communication, writing, presentation, and public speaking skills (sufficient to respond to media/public inquiries, prepare speeches and responses). Leadership, budgeting, strategic planning, and marketing skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and proven organizational skills. Extreme attention to detail; strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet research. Good math skills (sufficient to prepare and monitor budgets).

Other Requirements: Must be able to work some early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, have a flexible work schedule, and travel (maybe on 24-hour call). Ability to climb stairs, sit and stand for extended periods of time, and lift items such as tables, chairs, boxes, paper/brochures, signs, etc. Able to bend, lift, carry, and work indoors and outdoors.

Working Conditions: Work indoors and outdoors in extreme weather conditions and noise. General office environment, using standard office equipment.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor