Vice President of Communications Marketing Business Development
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS, INC - Skokie, Illinois, United States, 60077![HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS, INC](/api/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fgeneral-board-default.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdesk-360x180.webp&w=640&q=75&f=webp)
Work at HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS, INC
Overview
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Overview
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center (IHMEC) honors Survivors and victims of the Holocaust by teaching universal lessons that combat hatred, prejudice, and indifference. The Museum activates this mission through world-class exhibitions, public programming, and educational initiatives to equip audiences with knowledge, skills, and courage to take a stand for humanity. Today, IHMEC is the third largest Holocaust museum in the world and second largest in the country, impacting hundreds of thousands of students, teachers, law enforcement and community members annually. As a world leader in connecting the history and lessons of the Holocaust, we inspire visitors to become Upstanders, who speak out for what’s right – turning powerful lessons of history into positive actions today.
Revenues are derived from major special events, corporate and individual giving, visitor receipts, gift shop revenues, and major grant fundraising – foundation, family, and government.
THE POSITION
Position Title: Vice President of Communications, Marketing & Business Development
Location: Skokie, IL
Reports To: CEO
Outcomes and Accomplishments
Strengthening IHMEC’s impact as a thought leader and contributor to the fields of Holocaust and genocide memory and education.
Expanding IHMEC’s brand and reputation in Chicagoland, nationally, and globally.
Growing outreach by increasing the number of annual visitors (in-person and virtually) and members who experience the mission.
Building additional opportunities for earned income, including admissions, membership, concessions, facility rental, group sales, retail store, and new sources of revenue.
Identify and implement best practices in each area of responsibility through research and cultivation of relationship with industry peers.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
The Vice President of Communications, Marketing & Business Development’s key responsibilities include:
Strategy, Leadership, and Management
Develop and execute annual strategic communications and marketing plans, informed by research and consistent with the Museum’s long-term and annual goals.
Collaborate with program and executive leadership of IHMEC to align the organization’s vision, mission, and strategic communication.
Position the Museum as a thought leader and educator through position statements, speaking opportunities, op-eds, press releases, media interviews, digital and social media content, and more.
Advance the visibility and public presence of IHMEC by developing new and innovative approaches, partnerships, and relationships to increase brand and audience awareness.
Manage, guide, support, and collaborate with department and other staff members on objectives, outcomes, expectations, organization-wide goals, and professional development.
Develop strategies to enhance the visitor experience and the service orientation of the Museum’s Visitor Services team.
Manage vendor relationships, including outside PR and marketing firms. Secure pro bono services (e.g., advertising) whenever possible.
Provide leadership, counsel, and support as staff liaison to enable the Board of Directors, committees, and staff to effectively represent IHMEC’s mission, goals, and services throughout the community at large.
Advise and counsel leaders on reputational and strategic communications matters.
Represent IHMEC as a brand ambassador and a member of the Senior Leadership Team in the community and within the Museum.
Marketing, Communications, and Branding
Develop and implement an annual communications and marketing plan and budget to achieve Museum objectives in terms of brand awareness and favorability, reputation and thought leadership visibility, and museum visitorship and group sales. Manage and track results quarterly.
Lead and direct the integrated communication and marketing of IHMEC across all media channels, including advertising, public relations and digital and social media.
Develop and implement targeted advertising campaigns utilizing digital, TV, print, radio and outdoor as appropriate. Pursue media partnerships and bonus and PSA placement.
Cultivate and maintain media relationships to ensure visibility for IHMEC, including through positioning of key leaders, managing all media inquiries and press relations, building relationships with media, pitching stories, scheduling and preparing for interviews.
Strategically guide and execute social media across all channels including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X.
Co-develop and co-execute marketing and communications strategies and materials with Exhibitions & Education departments to drive exhibit and program engagement/attendance.
Oversee creation of all IHMEC external communications, including annual reports, press releases, opinion pieces, speeches, calendars, and other materials.
Work closely in conjunction with the development, education, and exhibition departments to ensure all messaging supports brand positioning and philanthropic efforts, including sponsorship of exhibitions and programs.
Plan and submit for museum and leadership awards that will recognize the Museum’s accomplishments and raise visibility of the Museum.
Business Development and Earned Revenue
Develop and implement an annual business development/earned income plan including, but not limited to, earned income from admissions, membership, concessions, facility rentals, group sales, paid programming, the Museum store, and new streams of revenue.
Assess the data behind each of the revenue streams to help guide innovative strategies to position each stream for optimal growth.
Grow admissions and membership though multi-faceted strategies that include innovative partnerships, communication, and tourism programs.
Expand group tour visits through expanded tourism outreach, better options for visits, and dynamic content.
Conceive and implement mutually beneficial and recurring partnerships (media, community, sponsor) and programs that dually benefit IHMEC’s visibility and the bottom line.
Explore local, regional, and national opportunities that both broaden the visibility of IHMEC, and, where possible, result in revenue for the institution.
Steward Museum visitors and Members with Development department towards membership renewal and financial support.
Visitor Engagement
Oversee the visitor engagement function of the Museum, ensuring that diverse, intergenerational visitors are welcomed warmly and have the information they need.
Provide visitors with disabilities and with all learning styles with access to the Museum and its content and programming.
Monitor the Museum Shop inventory to make sure space is appropriately stocked with mission-relevant items that sell.
Work with Exhibition and Operations team members to maintain and develop, as needed, wayfinding and signage on Museum property.
Other
Successfully perform other responsibilities assigned by the CEO.
THE PERSON
Education | Experience
Degree in Communications, Marketing or related field.
10+ years of experience in communications and marketing with broad general responsibility, ideally with some experience being in a nonprofit environment.
Highly desirable
Experience in communications, media relations, advertising and digital and social media.
Experience in business development/earned revenue management and oversight.
Experience in brand positioning, thought leadership, and related areas.
Experience in leading and managing people and teams.
Knowledge | Skills | Abilities
Ability to analyze facts, maintain records, prepare reports, and exercise sound judgement.
Ability to deliver a compelling and inspiring vision for mission-driven brands.
Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to innovate, embrace new ideas, and generate new avenues for success.
Ability to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail.
OTHER INFORMATION
Salary & Benefits
Target annual salary is $130,000.
Generous benefits, including medical/vision/dental coverage, paid time off, and retirement plan contributions, among other industry-leading benefits.
Physical Requirements
May need to climb up and down stairs; to bend, stoop, and lift or move materials and retrieve files; to pull/push, lift, and carry up to 25 pounds; spend considerable time on feet; and to reach both above and below shoulder height.
Committed to Diversity
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. People of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Learn More
Visit our website, engage in virtual experiences, and learn more at ilholocaustmuseum.org.