Position Summary:
The Art Institute of Chicago is a national leader in the visual arts and an important cultural partner in a dynamic city. Founded in 1879, the Art Institute is widely recognized for both its curatorial excellence and its popularity among visitors. Its exceptional collection and important exhibition schedule are complemented by cutting-edge curatorial and scientific research. The Art Institute welcomes 1.6 million visitors annually and has been ranked among the world’s top three art museums on TripAdvisor for the past three years. With a new senior leadership team, the museum is in a strong position to reassert its identity, the importance of an art museum in our democracy, and the role of the Art Institute in its city. The museum seeks an experienced, creative leader with exquisite communication skills, the ability to work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, and management acumen. The AVP will join exciting new museum leaders to design and implement marketing and communication strategies to enhance our reputation, build our brand, and distinctly define our identity to various audiences as the museum builds toward a major capital campaign.
The AVP will lead a team in designing and implementing a comprehensive communications and marketing plan to advance reputation and generate attendance at the museum, special exhibitions and programs. The AVP will be responsible for generating a significant portion of the museum’s annual operating budget through attendance-based revenue streams. She or he is responsible for developing market intelligence and applying rigorous metrics to marketing strategy. The position reports to the Senior VP for External Affairs and works collaboratively with the Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs, the Chair of Learning and Public Engagement, and the Senior VP for Finance, Strategy, and Operations, among others. The AVP manages a team of 14 with four direct reports (Marketing, Digital Marketing, Tourism Marketing, and Communications), all of whom work across departments to develop targeted messages for print, digital and social media regarding the museum’s distinction in the broader arts community as well as its exhibitions, programming, collections and visitor experience.