Senior Director of Marketing & Communications

chicago history society•Chicago, IL

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

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 General Counsel. 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.