Public Communications Manager

As Chicago’s oldest cultural institution, the Chicago History Museum is the proud custodian of over 23 million objects ranging from presidential artifacts to 60’s couture. Located in this world-class city at the south end of Lincoln Park, this position offers the right candidate an opportunity to share Chicago’s stories with our audiences and visitors. We invite qualified candidates to apply for this full-time position.

Reporting to Vice President of External Relations, the Public Communications Manager shares in the responsibility to promote the Museum’s collection, programs, events, and exhibitions to local and national media. The Public Communications Manager seeks to position and brand the Museum to facilitate audience and visitor growth in support of the Museum’s mission and goals. The Public Communications Manager is also responsible for building ongoing public interest and support for the Museum through community outreach, partnerships, and collaborations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Media Relations/Media Planning

• Creates and contributes to both short and long-term strategic public relations strategies for the Museum, along with executing on each strategy.
• Secure local, regional, and national media coverage of the Museum’s exhibitions, collections, programs and events, and other initiatives
• Evaluate and report on the reach and impact of media activities through regular media monitoring and contribute to quarterly merchandising reports
• Develop and handle crisis and emergency communications

Press Resource Development

• Ensure all press releases and media materials are appropriate, accurate and represent the interest of the museum and are delivered to targeted media in a timely manner to meet editorial deadlines
• Utilize media software to proactively maintain targeted media lists
• Manage web-based online newsroom and digital press materials
• Maintain and manage press-related web, blog and social media areas of online presence.

Strategic Asset Management

• Develop Museum and event spokespeople through the development of media messaging and briefing talking points; act as a media spokesperson
• Provide on-side logistics for media interviews and media filming
• Oversee and determine allocation of collection images for media request

Event Communications

• Responsible for managing all public relations events and activities. Assist in event planning for marketing events.
• Achieve earned media goals for event coverage

Constituent Communications

• Develop e-news communications for the Museum’s audience and to establish & maintain relationships with partnering institutions and neighborhood groups
• In collaboration with External Relations team and Publications team, develop social media engagement strategies and content

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS or BA in Communications, Journalism, or related field preferred
• Three to five years of experience in public relations or communications, preferably at a not-for-profit institution
• Experience with the execution of communications and PR planning required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required
• Strong research and analytic skills, including experience with visitor demographics and targeted communications
• Superior oral and written communication skills required, including meticulous editing and proofreading skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to be flexible, responsive, and directive with media
• Proven ability to plan and manage multiple projects from concept through execution
• Good problem solving skills; seeks counsel at appropriate times, ability to make informed decisions
• Ability to work with digital content including blog, social media and web-based content.
• General mobility and ability to lift, carry and otherwise transport communication materials weighing 25 lbs.
• Belief in the mission, values, and programs of the Chicago History Museum