Director of Marketing & Events

Department

FFIE Chicago Forum Senior Staff

About the Department

The University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression builds on UChicago’s historic commitment and practices to provide a focal point for understanding and applying free expression, in academia and in the broader culture, in the United States and abroad. The Chicago Forum's mission is to promote the understanding, practice, and advancement of free and open discourse, in collaboration with faculty and the broader university community.

Job Summary

The Chicago Forum seeks a dynamic and experienced Director of Marketing & Events to lead our integrated marketing strategy and ensure the successful execution of all Forum events. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role is responsible for developing and implementing strategic marketing campaigns that amplify the Forum’s mission across diverse audience groups while overseeing the full lifecycle of event planning—from conception to execution and post-event evaluation.

The Director will serve as a key leader within a collaborative, mission-driven team committed to free inquiry, the engagement of diverse perspectives, and professional excellence. This individual will manage daily logistics, supervise the Digital Marketing & Communications Manager and student event staff, and ensure brand integrity and audience engagement across all touchpoints. The ideal candidate possesses superior organizational and communication skills, and a passion for fostering vibrant, inclusive programming within the University of Chicago community.

Responsibilities

Events:

• Lead the planning, coordination, and successful execution of all Chicago Forum events, ensuring each meets the organization’s standards of quality and mission alignment.

• Design and manage student event staff programs, including recruitment, training, supervision, and task assignment.

• Oversee vendor research, selection, and contract negotiation; monitor expenses and prepare comprehensive event cost reports.

• Develop and manage intricate event logistics, anticipating and resolving operational challenges with minimal oversight.

• Consistently evaluate event effectiveness, propose enhancements, and apply lessons learned to future events.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure event marketing campaigns are timely, effective, and audience-appropriate.

Marketing:

• Develop and implement integrated marketing campaigns that ensure consistent brand voice, visual identity, and storytelling across all channels.

• Collaborate with internal partners to define marketing objectives for each event and tailor communications accordingly.

• Maintain and refine guidelines for brand tone, visual identity, and communication channel use.

• Oversee audience segmentation to ensure tailored communications to all Forum constituencies.

• Manage implementation and ongoing optimization of CRM tools for outreach and list management.

• Identify and execute opportunities to elevate the Chicago Forum’s brand presence both on campus and externally.

• Supervise and mentor the Digital Marketing & Communications Manager.

• Flexibly support evening and weekend events as required in a lively, collaborative, and team-oriented environment.

• Develops and executes day-to-day event logistics, and other complex assignments with minimal guidance from others.

• Guides research, including vendor selection and contract negotiation. Keeps track of all expenses, prepares reports on costs, solves complex problems as they arise.

• Performs other related work as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience: 

• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in event planning and marketing, with a successful track record managing complex, multi-faceted events and campaigns, ideally in a higher education or mission-driven environment.

• Direct experience supervising and mentoring professional or student staff.

• Demonstrable expertise executing budget-conscious, detail-oriented event operations.

• Experience developing and implementing integrated marketing strategies, including digital, print, and social media components.

• Editing and proofreading skills, including knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style.

• Proven ability to negotiate with and manage vendors and contractors.

• Experience collaborating with teams and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:  

• Experience with CRM platforms and marketing automation tools.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional organizational, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and deliver under tight deadlines.

• Demonstrated professionalism, initiative, discretion, and adaptability—working effectively both independently and with diverse stakeholders.

• Creative, improvement-oriented mindset and strong interpersonal skills to foster collaboration and deliver superior service.

• Provide superior customer service skills, teamwork, and attention to detail.

• Comfort working across and learning to navigate new digital and content platforms. 

• Expertise in integrated marketing, brand building, positioning, and marketing with a strong foundation in digital marketing.

• Proficiency with digital platforms and a strong commitment to free inquiry and expression.

• Understands the University culture and reflects it well in the quality of the events planned and executed.

• A commitment to UChicago’s first principle of free inquiry and expression; familiarity with the University of Chicago a plus.

Working Conditions

• Must be in Chicago, on site at the University.

• Ability to work a non-traditional schedule, including some evenings and weekends.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• References (3) (required)

• Portfolio of marketing campaigns (preferred)

• Cover letter (preferred)

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$83,000.00 - $102,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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