Associate Director of Communications

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Associate Director of Communications is an integral team member in the Marketing and Communications Department, advancing Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s storytelling to engage a wide range of constituents and elevating the institution’s overall brand profile. This position plays a leading role in coordinating media strategy, developing promotional partnerships, and managing the Theater’s digital and social media presence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Partners with the Director of Communications in developing comprehensive institutional and production-specific Marketing & Communications plans, establishing core messaging, and overseeing content creation for the overall CST brand and all productions and programs
   
• Serves as a primary copywriter and proofreader for Chicago Shakespeare Theater external communications, including copy for the website, monthly e-newsletter, e-marketing, and print materials
   
• Leads CST’s media strategy for all productions and serves as primary point of contact for all production-related media requests
  • Secures a high level of press visibilities for CST’s productions and programs in local, national, and international publications and outlets
  • Tracks growth by key performance indicators including amount of coverage (in the local market and national/international) and estimated number of overall impressions
  • Cultivates meaningful relationships with reporters and editors in Chicago and nationally beyond transactional exchanges
  • Advances media efforts by proactively pitching stories, drafting press releases and media alerts, fulfilling media requests, and generating coverage reports
  • Arranges logistics for media interviews and appearances, and coordinates details for opening nights and special events
  • Manages media communications calendar for scheduling press releases, invitations, and other editorial
  • Updates media contacts and manages event RSVPs in Tessitura database
     
• Engages in outreach to secure additional earned visibilities and expand Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s reach
  • Develops cross-promotional partnerships with cultural organizations, local businesses, and associations
  • Creates asset toolkits and distributes promotional copy/imagery for partners
  • Establishes new community partner relationships for each production to engage widest spectrum of new potential audience members
  • Represents Chicago Shakespeare at industry events to build the Theater’s network of promotional partners
     
• Oversees Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s social media strategy across platforms in alignment with CST’s institutional goals
• Collaborates with Digital Content Specialist to curate engaging organic content across platforms, and collaborates with Marketing team on paid social advertising plans
• Spearheads influencer strategy across the season of productions

• Models CST’s core values of service, ingenuity, and collaboration as well as its customer service ethos
• Champions the organization’s commitment to a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace

COMPETENCIES

• Service, ingenuity, and collaboration
• Emotional intelligence
• Mission-driven
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in managing social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube
• Passion for theater and the performing arts is a strong plus

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work hours are generally 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday
• Evening, weekend, and holiday hours will be necessary as needed during performances and events

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift up to 20lbs
• Ability to stand, bend, and squat
• Ability to view computer screen and use computer keyboards regularly

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

•  3-5 years of experience in marketing, communications, and/or public relations

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

CST is dedicated to increasing equity, diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs and in all our hiring for staff and artists. We are committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination. CST prohibits discrimination in employment against any employee or job applicant because of that person’s race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local human rights commission or any other legally protected status.