Events & Marketing Specialist

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.