About Chicago Public Media
Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 2 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to become the essential and most trusted news source that Chicago turns to each day for understanding the people, events, and ideas that shape our community.
WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by 77,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2024, Chicago Public Media won 33 national and local awards including from the National Headliner Awards, National Association for Black Journalists, Public Media Journalists Association, Radio Television Digital News Association, Chicago Headline Club, Chicago Journalists Association, Media for a Just Society, and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.
Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago’s oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards. In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations.
Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world. And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.
For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.
The Opportunity
The Events & Marketing Specialist is an integral member of the events and marketing team at Chicago Public Media. This role is responsible for planning, promoting and executing a diverse range of live events that elevate the brand, drive audience growth, and generate revenue. Reporting to the Senior Producer, this hybrid role combines hands-on event programming and production with the development and execution of event marketing campaigns.
Responsibilities
Event Production:
- Collaborate with the Senior Producer to plan and execute a dynamic slate of annual events including ticketed events produced by Chicago Public Media, as well supporting brand activations at partner events.
- Coordinate event logistics, including talent and venue booking, staffing, volunteer coordination, and on-site execution.
- Support the Senior Producer in maintaining workflows, production protocols, and tracking systems across all events.
- Ensure seamless event staff management and on-site oversight.
Event Marketing:
- Develop and execute comprehensive marketing strategies for events across email, social, digital, on-air, and external partnerships.
- Oversee the creation of marketing assets, ensuring consistency in messaging, visuals, and branding.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment in event communications and promotion.
- Track and measure KPIs including ticket sales, audience engagement, and campaign performance, providing post-event reports and insights to stakeholders.
Qualifications
2+ years planning and managing live events, including working with venues and high-profile talent (theater, live music, virtual, student productions, etc.).
1-2 years in a creative role (social media, programming, booking, etc.)
Comfortable coordinating staffing and on-site logistics, with a calm and problem-solving approach under pressure.
Basic understanding of event technology (audio, lights, video)
Experience with database management (AirTable, Google Drive)
Proven experience executing marketing campaigns across digital and traditional channels. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategies that drive engagement and increase audience reach.
Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships across departments and with external partners to ensure event success.
Resourceful and proactive, with the ability to anticipate needs and solve challenges efficiently in high-pressure, live-event environments.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including experience in drafting copy.
Highly organized with excellent time management skills and a keen attention to detail, especially when working under tight deadlines or in fast-paced environments.
A motivated self-starter who thrives in a collaborative environment, willing to work flexible hours—including evenings and weekends—to support event production.
Compensation
The expected pay range for this position is $50,000 to $55,000 per ANNUM.
Chicago Public Media provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographical location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
Working at Chicago Public Media
At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.
Our culture is one where collaboration, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.
At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for employees at hire and in the years to come.
Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan.
Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.
The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.
Top Skills
WBEZ Chicago Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
848 E GRAND AVE, Chicago, Illinois , United States, 60611
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
