Director of Marketing and Communications: The Chicago Academy for the Arts
The Chicago Academy for the Arts (www.chicagoacademyforthearts.org), one of the nation’s four independent visual and performing arts high schools, seeks a Marketing Manager for immediate appointment.
The Academy’s educational model is co-curricular: students engage in rigorous academic classes for five hours each day before being immersed in 3-5 hours of professional-level training in dance, filmmaking, animation, writing, music, musical theatre, theatre, or visual arts. (Please note that The Chicago Academy for the Arts is a different school than “ChiArts,” a CPS school.)
Students at The Academy are characterized by an extraordinary sense of passion, purpose, excellence, and community. Most continue with the arts after high school: alums include prominent visual artists, hit songwriters, Grammy Award nominees and winners, Broadway stars, internationally acclaimed dancers, and award-winning filmmakers and writers. Students also pursue degrees and careers outside of the arts: many alums are successful professionals in the fields of science, mathematics, technology, business, law, and medicine.
The Marketing Manager (MM) develops and executes strategies to directly support and impact admissions and fundraising efforts, raise the school’s visibility and advance its brand in general, and to create clear, compelling messaging to the school’s various constituencies.
The MM develops the strategy for (and coordinates) all branding, advertising, marketing, and publicity. Additionally, the DMC is directly responsible for online content (including social media), and from time to time will participate in the production of school publications, promotional materials, merchandise, signage, and everything else encompassing the school’s branding.
The MM reports to the Director of Enrollment Management and the Director of Development, and will collaborate from time to time with a full-time communications and design associate.
Specific Responsibilities
Develop and execute short- and long-term strategies that advance The Academy’s mission and brand, including leading major branding/rebranding initiatives
In close collaboration with the Director of Enrollment Management, design and execute strategies to increase applications and sustain prospective student and family interest
In close collaboration with the Director of Development, design and execute strategies to capitalize on increased visibility and clear branding to drive increased contributed revenue
Ensure that the school’s digital presence (website, social media, email campaigns, etc) sets the standard for independent schools and similarly sized arts organizations, by creating and executing high-level strategies and producing best-in-class content
Create strategies and coordinate all activities with any publicity efforts and local and national media
Advise on the marketing budget in order to maximize the effectiveness of all activities, from social media ad buys
Participate actively in the work and success of the senior leadership team and provide support for school events and administrative jobs as requested
Experience and Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:
A degree in a field related to marketing and communications, and a deep knowledge of the principles of the field, from data analysis to the psychology of influence
Three years experience in marketing and communications, preferably in an independent school or arts organization
Demonstrated success developing and executing branding, marketing, and communications strategies with clear, measurable results
A portfolio demonstrating virtuosic design, digital production, writing, and editing skills
Experience with Squarespace; Salesforce and related apps; Adobe Creative Suite; and Google Ads and Facebook Ads. (HTML, Java, and CSS is a plus.)
Familiarity with the arts in general
Demonstrated success managing multiple projects with shifting priorities and competing deadlines, including developing, monitoring, and adhering to budgets and production schedules
Ability to work both independently, as a supervisor, and within an interdependent, team-oriented environment
The budgeted salary for this position is $50,000. This position is an extraordinary opportunity for an ambitious professional to play a major role in a school that routinely transforms the lives of its students. Simply put: this work matters.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and portfolio to Jason Patera, Head of School.
The Chicago Academy for the Arts is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and staff and maintaining an inclusive community. All qualified applicants — regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law — are strongly encouraged to apply.