Director Of Marketing

Description:

Organization Overview

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation is a leading philanthropic institution investing more than $75 million annually in Chicagoland, with a focus on improving economic opportunity on Chicago’s South and West Sides. The Foundation is named for its donor, Colonel Robert R. McCormick. The Foundation’s Board of Directors also oversees Cantigny, Col. McCormick’s estate, which today provides educational and recreational opportunities in Chicago’s western suburbs.

The 500-acre Cantigny estate includes McCormick’s Home and Gardens, which host dozens of programs and events annually for nearly half a million visitors; the First Division Museum, a military history museum that tells the story of the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division, beginning in World War I, in which Col. McCormick served, to present; and Cantigny Golf, a 27-hole public golf course and a 9-hole short course, perfect for children and families.

Position Overview

This new role will strengthen Cantigny’s brand and voice and meaningfully contribute to the organization’s sustainability. This position will be responsible for growing new audiences for Cantigny while retaining and deepening relationships with current audiences. The Director will ensure the organization has consistent, coherent, and compelling digital, print, and in-person representation that drives audience growth and engagement.

The position requires a candidate with a proven track record in advertising, audience development, brand strategy, customer service, and partnerships. The ideal candidate will be a keen strategist and strong operational manager, comfortable with ambiguity and driving change. The candidate must be a collaborative team member, inspiring manager, and passionate advocate for Cantigny’s mission.

Core Responsibilities

• Leadership and Strategy: Develop and execute external engagement and awareness strategy for Cantigny. Design and execute plans to grow Cantigny’s visitation and generate revenue from program admission, parking fees, rentals, retail, and other revenue streams. Lead a four-person team that provides creative services, social media/marketing, and web management.
• Data and Analytics: Understand Cantigny’s audience. Use surveys, digital analytics, and other tools; set and own KPIs; and leverage insights into current and prospective visitors to strengthen engagement, inform programs, and align messages.
• Partnerships: Identify, build, and steward mutually beneficial civic, community, business, and other relationships to advance Cantigny’s audience development strategy.
• Media/External Relations: Manage media relations to advance Cantigny’s business and reputational priorities. Implement tools and frameworks to monitor media coverage and analyze impact.
• Digital Marketing: Manage the organization’s online presence. Oversee digital content strategy across web, social media, and email, including messaging priorities and content across several sub-brands (Cantigny Golf, First Division Museum, and McCormick House and Gardens) and ensure consistent narrative, tone, and overall brand expression. Lead digital marketing efforts including email, paid search, display, paid social, and SEO.
• Brand Management: Oversee design and branding so Cantigny is recognizable, welcoming, and accessible. Ensure external, digital, and onsite messaging, including collateral, interpretation, wayfinding, and other materials, attract guests to Cantigny.
• Internal Communications: Ensure internal communications is clear, consistent, and effective at driving organizational priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

Qualifications

Education:

Required: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or other relevant field

Experience:

Required: Minimum 10 years of experience in marketing, communications, fundraising, or related role, with at least five years in a senior manager role that includes budgeting and resource management.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to design, execute, and assess strategic performance.
• A high-performing self-starter with experience building relationships and the ability to use data to identify growth opportunities.
• Experience managing a team of communications professionals.

Working Conditions:

This is a full-time position, located at Cantigny in Wheaton, Illinois.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cantigny Park and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, individuals with disabilities, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital and housing status.