Director of Marketing & Events

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination, and successful execution of all Chicago Forum events, ensuring each meets the organization's standards of quality and mission alignment.
• Design and manage student event staff programs, including recruitment, training, supervision, and task assignment.
• Oversee vendor research, selection, and contract negotiation; monitor expenses and prepare comprehensive event cost reports.
• Develop and manage intricate event logistics, anticipating and resolving operational challenges with minimal oversight.
• Consistently evaluate event effectiveness, propose enhancements, and apply lessons learned to future events.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure event marketing campaigns are timely, effective, and audience-appropriate.
• Develop and implement integrated marketing campaigns that ensure consistent brand voice, visual identity, and storytelling across all channels.
• Collaborate with internal partners to define marketing objectives for each event and tailor communications accordingly.
• Maintain and refine guidelines for brand tone, visual identity, and communication channel use.
• Oversee audience segmentation to ensure tailored communications to all Forum constituencies.
• Manage implementation and ongoing optimization of CRM tools for outreach and list management.
• Identify and execute opportunities to elevate the Chicago Forum's brand presence both on campus and externally.
• Supervise and mentor the Digital Marketing & Communications Manager.
• Support evening and weekend events as required in a lively, collaborative, and team-oriented environment.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum of a college or university degree in a related field.
• 5-7 years of work experience in event planning and marketing, with a successful track record managing complex, multi-faceted events and campaigns.
• Experience supervising and mentoring professional or student staff.
• Proven ability to develop and execute budget-conscious, detail-oriented event operations.
• Experience with developing and implementing integrated marketing strategies, including digital, print, and social media.
• Knowledge of editing and proofreading, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style.
• Ability to negotiate with and manage vendors and contractors.
• Experience collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Experience with CRM platforms and marketing automation tools.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, initiative, discretion, and adaptability.
• Comfort working across digital platforms and learning new content management systems.
• Understanding of digital marketing, brand building, and positioning.

Nice to Have

• Experience in a higher education or mission-driven environment.
• Familiarity with the University of Chicago culture and principles of free inquiry and expression.
• Portfolio of marketing campaigns.

Qualifications

• Educational background with a college or university degree in a related field.
• 5-7 years of relevant work experience in event planning and marketing.

Benefits & Perks

• Eligible for a wide range of benefits including health, retirement, and paid time off.
• Salary range of $83,000 to $102,000.