Vice President of Marketing and Communications

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range: $180,000 - $232,000
• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Full Time Salaried Staff
• Grade Level: 12

POSITION SUMMARY

As a principal steward of SAIC’s history of excellence and brand identity, the vice president of marketing and communications drives all strategies to advance the School’s reputation, enhance recruitment and retention, and support fundraising efforts through storytelling, brand stewardship, communication, and collaborative engagement. This cabinet-level position reports directly to the president and provides guidance and expertise on communications matters impacting all divisions of the institution. As the leader of the School’s integrated marketing and communications team, the vice president provides strategic guidance and mentorship to a team of uniquely skilled marketing and communications professionals who steward brand identity and drive brand awareness through multiple channels for internal and external audiences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develops and implements an integrated marketing/communications strategy for the institution, including visual branding, messaging, media relations, paid advertising, social media, crisis communications, web communications, merchandise, and email.
• Safeguards the School’s reputation by overseeing crisis communications efforts, informing emergency operations planning, and advising leadership on reputational risk.
• Coordinates with the museum on both AIC-wide and School crisis communications.
• Serves as the subject matter expert in enterprise-wide committees, groups, and task forces, and as a thought partner to peers within the School, museum, and central administration.
• Sets priorities for brand development and management.
• Stays abreast of the institution’s brand awareness among local, national, and global audiences;
• Directs and mentors a team of communications, marketing, and design professionals, and maintains an informed, technically competent team.
• Collaborates with the School’s offices for advancement and enrollment and marketing in support of revenue generation, as well as advancement efforts that align fundraising with the institution’s strategic priorities.
• Guides the public relations strategy for the School’s president and other senior leaders to further the institution’s mission and brand awareness.
• Leads and maintains the integrity of the School’s digital and web identity, with the marketing and communications team supporting web, intranet, and social media channels;
• Cultivates relationships with local and national editors and reporters to promote the School’s accomplishments and brand.
• Positions thought leaders at the School, including administrators and faculty, as national spokespeople and promotes School initiatives for maximum media and public exposure.
• Directs strategy and execution for all internal communications to students, faculty, and staff.
• Develops and administers the marketing and communications budget, ensuring maximum return on our investment and the efficient function of the unit.
• Applies metrics to advance the mission of the unit.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s Degree in PR, Communications, Non-Profit Management or related field required, or equivalent experience. Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in communications and/or public relations, preferably in higher education or arts and culture;
• Experience working within a senior leadership team, with insights into complex organizational structures;
• Demonstrated ability of taking on more significant and complex managerial roles within the field of integrated communications and marketing.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated leadership qualities, including the ability to motivate and inspire a team.
• Excellent communication skills and public presence.
• Ability to exercise diplomacy and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Comfortable with broad consultation and the capacity to bring projects to completion.
• Ability to take complex issues, distill them to understandable concepts, and appropriately communicate to a diverse range of audiences.

• Please note a cover letter is required when applying to this role.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Hybrid work.
• Occasional travel, evening and weekend work.

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.