About The Museum of Science and Industry:
Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is one of the best known and most beloved science and technology museums in the world. As the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere, MSI exposes guests of all ages to awe-inspiring exhibitions that spark curiosity and bring science to life. 

Since opening in 1933, MSI has welcomed 175 million guests from around the globe. MSI’s mission – to inspire the inventive genius in everyone – is realized through its world-class exhibitions and engaging guest experiences. And even bigger than MSI’s mission is its vision – to inspire and motivate our children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology, engineering and medicine. This mission and vision inspires the organization’s 400 employees every day and guides decisions across the institution.

Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, MSI is one of Chicago’s 11 museums standing on Chicago Park District land. Originally built as the Fair’s Palace of Fine Arts, MSI’s building was designed by Burnham & Root architect Charles Atwood. Today, the Museum is home to more than 35,000 artifacts and more than 400,000 square feet of exhibit space. And what’s more – MSI houses Chicago’s only five-story, domed Omnimax® theater; three restaurants, four gift shops, a student and teacher e-learning center, an 800-seat auditorium and two smaller theater spaces, 12 learning lab areas for educational programming and an attached underground parking garage. 

In 2011, MSI completed a $209 million capital campaign, transforming and upgrading more than 85 percent of its exhibitions. Its recent permanent exhibits – Science Storms, YOU! The Experience, and Future Energy Chicago – are the most interactive and hands-on in the world. Together they have won a combined 25 awards, including every top award in the museum field. 

More than a museum, MSI is a leading educational institution that is revolutionizing science education through its nationally recognized Center for the Advancement of Science Education (CASE). CASE programs extend the content of MSI exhibitions through strategies that empower teachers, engage the community and excite students and Museum guests. CASE operates 11 learning labs designed to provide deeper dives into exhibition content for the more than 350,000 school children visiting MSI on field trips each year. The Science Minors and Science Achievers youth development programs make science approachable by exposing youth to STEM careers while building science content knowledge and presentation skills. CASE’s teacher training courses provide educators with science content and teaching strategies that are proven to have a direct, positive effect on student achievement. Finally, MSI reaches outside its walls by operating 100 after-school science clubs across the greater Chicago area with the capacity to engage more than 7,000 children each year. 

Comprised of many of Chicago’s top business CEO’s and civic leaders, the Museum of Science and Industry’s Board of Trustees is widely considered one of – if not the best – nonprofit boards in the city. MSI’s Board members actively serve on numerous standing and advisory committees, including the Marketing Advisory Committee. This Committee also includes senior leaders in the field, and works with the Vice President, Marketing & Communications to provide strategic perspectives and feedback on MSI’s multi-platform marketing strategy. 
For more information on the Museum of Science and Industry, please visit: www.msichicago.org.


The Opportunity:
The Vice President, Marketing & Communications is the Museum’s top Marketing and Communications leader, reporting directly to the Museum’s President and Chief Executive Officer. The VP will sculpt the institution’s strategic marketing and communications plan, firmly positioning MSI as an innovative and inspirational thought leader in today’s rapidly changing consumer landscape. 

In 2008, MSI experienced a major brand transformation. The VP, Marketing & Communications will continue to unlock the Museum’s brand DNA, elevating MSI’s position in the market and helping to expand MSI’s reach within today’s competitive consumer landscape. Both a sophisticated strategist and an entrepreneurial trailblazer, the VP will ensure that the institution’s brand, identity and message resonate with and compel MSI’s donors and guests. 

The Vice President, Marketing & Communications is one of six Vice Presidents that comprise the Museum’s leadership team, and participates in shaping a shared vision for the future, developing and executing strategy, leveraging best practices, managing organizational change, and creating a high-performance, results-driven culture. As an integral member of the Leadership Team, the VP is responsible for aligning the Museum’s vision and business plan with its marketing strategies.

This position is directly responsible for managing the marketing, public relations and digital media teams; developing and implementing brand objectives; analyzing market research and creating actionable data-based tactics; conceiving proactive marketing strategies for all relevant channels; leading external and internal communications strategies; and overseeing vendor/agency relationships. The VP will establish key metrics and measure performance against objectives.

The ideal candidate possesses tremendous communication and leadership skills, with proven success designing and leading traditional and innovative campaigns across the broad spectrum of modern marketing channels. S/he is a sophisticated leader with strategic, creative and financial acumen as well as a strong business intellect that will take MSI to the next level.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and drive an evolving, “best in class” strategic marketing and communications plan for MSI.\
• Oversee and evaluate market research and adjust marketing tactics to meet changing market and competitive conditions.
• Develop and articulate a clear, compelling and differentiated message for MSI through all potential outlets.
• Champion MSI’s brand and oversee continued brand building and management.
• Guide and direct cross-divisional marketing and ensure alignment with enterprise-wide business strategies.
• Cultivate and drive opportunities to exceed attendance and revenue goals.
• Thoughtfully leverage evolving digital content, platforms and technologies to keep MSI’s digital presence fresh, relevant and meaningful.
• Fully understand MSI’s customer relationship and life cycle; and define and communicate MSI’s unique value proposition, to include a promotional plan with targeted promotions, pricing, assortment, customer experience and loyalty programs.
• Drive improvement, efficiency and effectiveness into all methodologies and deliverables.
• Build and manage relationships with key vendors and other partners, including creative agencies.
• Monitor competitive products and marketing activities with an eye towards developing new product concepts to achieve MSI’s mission.
• Serve as a collaborative member of MSI’s leadership team.
• Co-chair, with a member of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, the Marketing Advisory Committee.

Candidate Profile:
The Vice President, Marketing & Communications will develop a vision for MSI’s marketing and communications and inspire the support of the entire organization around it. S/he will be a creative, innovative and high-energy leader with a curious, inquisitive and analytical mindset. The VP will have a proven track record of delivering superior marketplace performance and will lead the Museum to ‘think outside of the box’ while being deeply committed to the mission of MSI. 

The ideal candidate will have the following personal competencies:

Innovative Thought Leadership: The VP will have a proven ability to translate business and operations plans into marketing opportunities in today’s changing landscape. S/he will be a strategic, yet creative, thinker who effectively and constructively leads the Museum to consider new and innovative approaches. The VP will serve as a continual change agent, presenting and developing fresh ideas to achieve MSI’s mission, promote the brand and generate new revenue. S/he must be willing to take calculated risks and inspire others to do so across the institution and beyond. 

Marketing and Communications Expertise: The VP will be an experienced leader in the field with a curious mindset and a high level of intellectual horsepower. S/he will have a proven track record of setting and implementing innovative marketing strategies and serving as a catalyst and leader within organizations. S/he will have an expert understanding of digital marketing, social media, web and mobile development and management. S/he will be analytical and data-driven, able to conceptualize and analyze both problems and solutions and identify key metrics that will help MSI work towards its strategic objectives. 

Building Relationships and Using Influence: The VP must be able to build and sustain excellent relationships at multiple levels internally and with varied external constituencies including the Board of Trustees, partner organizations and the media. S/he will be a charismatic, high-energy leader who can talk with anyone and successfully convey the objectives of the Museum. It is imperative that s/he is able to treat others with respect and stay true to the mission of MSI. Moreover the ideal candidate is an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics and values; someone who can be trusted without reservation. 

Passion for the Mission: S/he will have a passion for the mission of the Museum and a commitment to effectively lead marketing and communications to support the goals of the institution. S/he will embrace the culture of MSI, while continually innovating to help the Museum expand its brand and reach. A commitment to partnering and client service is imperative. 

A Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.