Senior Director of Marketing & Communications

Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Reports to: Chicago History Museum's Edgar D. and Deborah R. Jannotta President & CEO

Location: Chicago, IL (In Person/Hybrid)

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

Position Overview:

Chicago History Museum (CHM), Chicago's oldest cultural institution and a leading urban history museum, seeks a strategic, creative, and mission-driven Senior Director of Marketing and Communications. This role leads the Marketing and Communications team and is responsible for elevating CHM's public profile, driving audience engagement, and ensuring clear, compelling communication of CHM's vision, exhibitions, programs, and educational offerings.

The Senior Director will develop and execute integrated marketing and communications strategies that amplify CHM's brand, grow attendance and membership, and support revenue generation through admissions, retail, fundraising, and strategic partnerships. The Senior Director serves as a key advisor to leadership on brand strategy, audience development, and reputational management, and ensures alignment of all communications with CHM's mission and strategic priorities, reporting directly to the President & CEO

In addition to leading the Marketing and Communications function, this role provides strategic and operational oversight of Visitor Services and CHM's retail operations, ensuring a cohesive and integrated approach to audience experience, revenue generation, and brand delivery. The organizational structure of this function may evolve over time, and this role is expected to operate with flexibility and adaptability in alignment with institutional needs and leadership direction.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and lead a comprehensive, multi-channel marketing and communications strategy aligned with CHM's mission, strategic plan, and revenue objectives.

• Serve as a member of CHM's leadership team, advising on brand positioning, audience development, and public relations strategy.

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs), reporting frameworks, and analytics to measure effectiveness and inform decision-making.

• Partner cross-functionally with Development, Education, Exhibitions, Visitor Services, and Retail, to align marketing efforts with institutional priorities.

• Provide enterprise-level leadership across Marketing and Communications, Visitor Services, and Retail to align audience engagement, on-site experience, and revenue strategies.

Marketing & Digital Engagement

• Oversee integrated marketing campaigns for exhibitions, programs, and institutional initiatives to increase visibility, attendance, and earned revenue.

• Lead digital marketing strategy, including website, email marketing, social media, and paid media initiatives.

• Utilize data analytics, audience segmentation, and market insights to optimize campaign performance and audience growth.

Public Relations & Communications

• Direct all media relations efforts, including press strategy, media outreach, and relationship management to secure earned coverage.

• Oversee development of clear, consistent messaging across all internal and external communications platforms.

• In partnership with senior leadership, lead and coordinate crisis communications.

Brand & Content Management

• Ensure cohesive, accurate, and compelling brand storytelling across all audience touchpoints.

• Oversee creation of content across digital, print, and multimedia platforms, including marketing collateral, publications, and exhibition-related materials.

• Maintain editorial oversight and quality control for all public-facing materials, ensuring accessibility and inclusive communication practices.

Visitor Experience & Retail Operations

• Oversee Visitor Services operations, including front-of-house staff, guest experience, and service standards.

• Support strategic direction for CHM's retail store operations, including merchandising, sales performance, and integration with exhibitions and programming.

• Align marketing campaigns with on-site visitor experience and retail strategy to drive conversion, satisfaction, and repeat engagement.

• Partner with internal stakeholders to optimize the end-to-end visitor journey, from pre-visit engagement through on-site experience and post-visit retention.

• Establish and monitor performance metrics for visitor experience and retail operations, including attendance, customer satisfaction, and sales performance.

Team Leadership

• Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing team, including Marketing and Communications, Visitor Services and Retail/CHM Store.

• Establish clear performance expectations, accountability structures, and professional development pathways.

• Foster a collaborative, creative, and results-oriented team environment aligned with CHM's values.

• Manage relationships with external vendors, agencies, and consultants to ensure quality, efficiency, and alignment with institutional goals.

• Oversee departmental budgeting, resource allocation, and operational planning.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field at a minimum; Master's degree preferred.

• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in marketing and communications, including demonstrated leadership and team management responsibility.

• Experience in a cultural, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization strongly preferred.

• Proven success in brand development, digital strategy, audience engagement, and revenue-aligned marketing initiatives.

• Strong leadership and team management track record with the ability to mentor, develop, and retain talent.

• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.

• Experience with marketing analytics, CRM systems, and digital platforms.

• Strong understanding of the Chicago media landscape and cultural community is a plus.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in all aspects of communication and outreach, consistent with applicable law.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $95,000 to $115,000, commensurate with experience. CHM offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and other benefits.

Additional Information/Employment Conditions

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Employment with CHM is at-will, meaning that either the employee or the CHM may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. CHM reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description and the duties of the position at its discretion, consistent with business needs and organizational priorities.

CHM is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

As an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act this position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background check requirements. The role may require occasional evening, weekend, or on-site event participation consistent with CHM operations.