Overview

Reporting directly to the Assistant General Manager – Sales and Marketing, this position provides creative and strategic leadership to develop and direct marketing, external relations, marketing collateral, media, online and digital marketing, sponsorships, advertising and promotional activities for the full complex. Develops, coordinates and implements, communications and marketing strategies, policies, and procedures in order to create and maintain a consistent and favorable public image for McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena locally, nationally and internationally. The position develops and maintains strategic relationships with target audiences and stakeholders to promote McCormick Place in the community and venue industry, while remaining in-line with MPEA, Choose Chicago, OVG360, and show organizer objectives. Assembles data, information and reports necessary to promote the activities and objectives of McCormick Place. 

This role will pay a salary of $110,000 to $140,000.

For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

Responsibilities

Marketing:

• Leads the marketing team to develop and engage in marketing, advertising, solicitation, and promotional activities that drive sales within a 24-month booking period, and collaborates and supports Choose Chicago for events that book outside of 24 months.
• Responsible for the creation, development and implementation of McCormick Place’s strategic marketing and advertising plan.
• Responsible for the creation and implementation of content that will promote MCP, Wintrust Arena, and other initiatives
• Works with the Choose Chicago, OVG360, the MPEA and other McCormick Place Complex (MPC) internal and external key stakeholders in order to maximize marketing resources while maintaining brand integrity for the MPC.
• Partners with the MPEA, Choose Chicago and other key stakeholders in the formation of strategy and execution of programs to attract diverse national and international organizations to utilize MPC for events, conferences, meetings and conventions.
• Develop and leverage partnerships with customers, clients, industry influencers and industry associations in order to promote and enhance the MPC’s reputation.
• Develops ideas and opportunities for feature articles, media outreach, interviews, presentations, and other public relations activities that promote awareness of the MPC, its services and initiatives.
• Development of marketing materials and procedures to have the Sales and Marketing Departments function effectively as an in-house agency.
• Oversee the MPC and Wintrust Arena’s social media specific strategies with a plan to measure success and identify potential adjustments. This includes monitoring, analyzing data, the creation of management reports and detailed evaluations.
• Utilizes sales and marketing principles to promote the venue and remains current with emerging marketing trends, tactics, strategies and technologies.
• Responsible for creating and implementing new ideas and opportunities to drive revenue.
• Responsible for the oversight of the MPC digital signage system
• Develops and oversees MPC’s website.
• Oversee special promotional events and campaigns.
• Oversee all aspects of the MPC’s Client Advertising and Sponsorship programs.
• Responsible for prospecting, selling, cultivating and maintaining the corporate sponsorships, for the venue in both new and renewal business.
• Assembles data, information and reports in order to promote the activities and objectives of the MPC.

Communications:

• Serves as key contact person and maintains effective relationships with business and community organizations and other related groups.

• Manages and improves strategic relationships with key neighborhood groups, industry organizations, media representatives, industry influencers, community and business leaders in order to promote the MPC’s positive image.

• Develops and directs neighborhood engagement, external relations, government and business outreach programs.

• Aggressively seeks new contacts and maintains working relationships with all neighborhood, media and industry organizations.

• Attends networking, conferences, meetings and events on a strategic basis to increase visibility in key audiences while building awareness of the MPC.

• Represents the MPC and the General Manager at external meetings, events and conferences.

• Collaborates with various MPC departments, service providers, OVG Hospitality and other venue partners in crafting strategic sourcing strategies aimed at creating local and diverse business relationships.
• Maintains database of local, industry/trade, community and public affairs contacts.
• Maintains and updates press kits to include news releases, executive biographies and photography.
• Prepares and distributes fact sheets, news releases and talking points for MPC representatives.
• Produces photographs, scripts, video or tape recordings to media representatives and/or other parties
• Monitor MPC industry news and external communications.

• Prepares MPC staff for media interviews and public speaking engagements.

• Takes an active role in delivering advice and counsel during crisis situations regarding communications materials that will be clear, deliberate and factual.
• Works with Public Safety to ensure that the disaster and emergency communications response plan remains current and implements response plan as necessary.

• Responsible for overseeing, coordinating and executing all aspects of corporate partnership fulfillment.
• Special event development and management, such as FAM trips, anniversary celebrations, and client forums.

• Collaborates with area organizations to create innovative partnerships showcasing the MPC and the region’s diverse characteristics and cultures.
• Develops and maintains the MPC’s monthly/ quarterly management and annual reports for the benefit of the venue, its campus, MPEA and OVG360.
• In collaboration with the MPC’s HR Business Partner, develops, maintains and amplifies the MPEA corporate social responsibility program while supporting employee engagement opportunities.

Supervisory/Management:

• Direct the activities of the Marketing Manager and
• Responsible for interviewing, hiring, training and developing of employees in the assigned department.
• Supervisory responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing the work of assigned employees to include performance assessment, employee engagement and recognition, coaching and disciplining employees in conjunction with Human Resources, resolving problems, conflicts and complaints.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with OVG360 policies, procedures and applicable federal, state and local laws.
• Assists in preparation of annual department budget, authorizes expenditures, and tracks project costs to control expenses.
• Development of marketing goals, objectives and tactics, evaluation tools and reporting mechanisms (internally and externally)
• Assists the sales team in accomplishing sales and marketing goals.
• Acts as a consultant with other departments on internal communications initiatives. Understands the business needs and ensures that deliverables are relevant and effective. Meets with internal stakeholders to explain strategies and solutions.

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• A. degree from four (4) year College in Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, Communications or Business Management.
• Seven plus (7 ) years minimum experience with demonstrated success in marketing, strategy and media initiatives from concept to completion.
• Three (3) years minimum experience with social media platforms and marketing program development and implementation and a proven record of online engagement and listening.
• Five plus (5 ) years minimum experience supervising staff.
• Ability to organize and manage cross functional organizational teams.

Skills and Abilities:

• Must have exceptional command of the English language, oral and written.
• Presents information professionally with poise and confidence in front of an
• Ability to build rapport with a variety of people and develops alliances to work together toward common goals.
• Demonstrated ability to perform as a pragmatic and responsive ambassador of the company.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to facilitate successful presentations with individuals and/or large groups.
• Proven ability to measure and manage the progress of community outreach, business outreach and diversity initiatives.
• Proven experience interfacing with community organizations, business leaders, government agencies and/or elected officials.
• Must have exceptional negotiation skills. Listens to all points of view and negotiates compromise.
• Consistently demonstrates honesty, fairness, and trustworthiness.
• A well-organized individual who is a team player and can relate to people at all levels of an organization.
• High level of analytical and diagnostic skills for solving complex business and organizational issues.
• Works independently to solve problems.
• Looks for opportunities to take on more responsibility.
• Ability to keep manager, and if appropriate, others informed of progress and obstacles in a proactive manner.
• Able to take on a variety of different tasks and roles within the organization.

Computer and Technology Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and MS SharePoint and MS Outlook)
• Comprehensive knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Premier Rush).
• Comprehensive knowledge of the application of social media web technology, search trends and social media innovation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of CRM software
• Comprehensive knowledge of web design
• Social media tools such as but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter
• Monitoring tools such as but not limited to Google Analytics, MS Social Listening, Sprout and Heartbeat.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• No certifications are required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Director of Marketing & Communications job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the job. While performing the duties and responsibilities of the Director of Marketing and Communications job, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The employee is required to be mobile within the Convention Center and maneuver throughout the Convention Center facility to attend meetings, briefings, and photo or video shoots. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

While performing the duties and responsibilities of the Director of Marketing and Communications, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the Director of Marketing and Communications will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the Director of Marketing & Communications job. Incumbent works in an office setting with minimal adverse exposure to environmental hazards. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. Frequent computer use at a workstation. Frequent interaction with employees, clients, vendors, and the general public via email, telephone, delivery correspondence, and/or face-to-face. While maneuvering throughout facility and on the show floor, employees may be exposed to moving mechanical parts and equipment, such as forklifts and electric carts, as well as loud noises originating from the use of individual and multiple quantities of mechanical equipment. The employee is occasionally exposed to exhaust fumes and airborne particles. May on rare occasions work outdoors. Often share office space with other workers.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The work schedule of this position typically involves a 5-day work week Monday through Friday; however, this will fluctuate based upon the needs of the community, a project or event. Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule including late nights, early mornings, weekends or holidays and the ability to remain available 7 days per week. Travel within the City and occasional travel within the United States will be necessary.

STATEMENTS:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time for any reason, including reasonable accommodation.