Director of Marketing and Communications| McCormick Place Convention Center - Oak View Group

Oak View Group:

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary:

Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, this position provides creative and strategic leadership to develop and direct marketing, external relations, marketing collateral, media, online and digital marketing, sponsorships, advertising and promotional activities. Develops, coordinates and implements, communications and marketing strategies, policies and procedures in order to create and maintain a favorable public image for McCormick Place locally, nationally and internationally.  The position develops and maintains strategic relationships with target audiences and stakeholders to promote McCormick Place in the community and venue industry, while remaining in-line with MPEA, Choose Chicago, Oak View Group and show organizer objectives. Assembles data, information and reports necessary to promote the activities and objectives of McCormick Place. 

 

This role will pay a salary of $115,000 to $150,000.

 

Benefits for FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 12 holidays).

 

This position will remain open until December 31, 2024

About the Venue:

McCormick Place located in downtown Chicago is the largest and most flexible convention center in North America., With over 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, the campus proudly hosts some of the world’s largest and most prestigious conventions, meetings, and trade shows, welcoming approximately 3 million visitors to Chicago every year.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the marketing team to develop and engage in marketing, advertising, solicitation, and promotional activities that drive sales within a 24-month booking period in collaboration with MPEA and the campus hotels, and collaborates and supports Choose Chicago for events that book outside of 24 months.
• Responsible for the creation, development and implementation of McCormick Place’s strategic marketing and advertising plan, in conjunction with and aligning with all campus partners.
• Works with the MPEA, Choose Chicago, and other McCormick Place campus internal and external key stakeholders in order to maximize marketing resources while maintaining brand integrity for McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena.Partners with the MPEA, Choose Chicago and other key stakeholders in the formation of strategy and execution of programs to attract diverse national and international organizations to utilize McCormick Place for events, conferences, meetings and conventions.
• Develop and leverage partnerships with customers, clients, industry influencers and industry associations in order to promote and enhance McCormick Place’s reputation.
• Develops ideas and opportunities for feature articles, media outreach, interviews, presentations, and other public relations activities that promote awareness of McCormick Place, its services and initiatives.
• Development of marketing materials and procedures to have the Sales and Marketing Departments function effectively as an in-house agency.
• Oversee the McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena social media specific strategies with a plan to measure success and identify potential adjustments. This includes monitoring, analyzing data, the creation of management reports and detailed evaluations.
• Utilizes sales and marketing principles to promote the venue and remains current with emerging marketing trends, tactics, strategies and technologies.
• Responsible for creating and implementing new ideas and opportunities that will drive revenue.
• Responsible for the oversight and collaboration with the Partnerships Department of the McCormick Place digital signage system.
• Develops and oversees McCormick Place’s website.
• Oversee special promotional events and campaigns.
• Oversee all aspects of the McCormick Place’s Client Advertising and Sponsorship programs.
• Responsible for prospecting, selling, cultivating and maintaining the corporate sponsorships, for the venue in both new and renewal business.
• Assembles data, information and reports in order to promote the activities and objectives of the McCormick Place.

Communications:

• Serves as key contact person and maintains effective relationships with business and community organizations and other related groups.
• Manages and improves strategic relationships with key neighborhood groups, industry organizations, media representatives, industry influencers, community and business leaders in order to promote McCormick Place’s positive image.
• Develops and direct neighborhood engagement, external relations, government and business outreach programs.
• Aggressively seeks new contacts and maintains working relationships with all neighborhood, media and  industry organizations.
• Attends networking, conferences, meetings and events on a strategic basis to increase visibility in key audiences while building awareness of McCormick Place.
• Represents McCormick Place, Wintrust Arena and the General Manager at external meetings, events and conferences.
• Collaborates with various McCormick Place departments, service providers and venue partners in crafting strategic sourcing strategies aimed at creating local and diverse business relationships.
• Maintains database of local, industry/trade, community and public affairs contacts.
• Maintains and update press kits to include news releases, executive biographies and photography.
• Prepares and distribute fact sheets, news releases and talking points for McCormick Place representatives.
• Produces speeches, talking points, photographs, scripts, video or tape recordings to media representatives and/or other parties.
• Monitor McCormick Place industry news and external communications, in conjunction with campus partners.
• Prepares McCormick Place staff for media interviews and public speaking engagements.
• Takes an active role in delivering advice and counsel during crisis situations regarding communications materials that will be clear, deliberate and factual.
• Works with Public Safety to ensure that the disaster and emergency communications response plan remains current and implements response plan as necessary.
• Responsible for overseeing, coordinating and executing all aspects of corporate partnership fulfillment.
• Special event development and management, such as Familiarization (FAM) trips, anniversary celebration, and client forums.
• Collaborates with area organizations to create innovative partnerships showcasing the McCormick Place and the region’s diverse characteristics and cultures.
• Develops and maintains McCormick Place’s monthly/ quarterly management and annual reports for the benefit of the venue, its campus, MPEA and Oak View Group.
• In collaboration with McCormick Place’s HR Business Partner, develops, maintains and amplifies McCormick Place’s corporate social responsibility program while supporting employee engagement opportunities. 

Supervisory/Management:

• Direct the activities of the Marketing Managers and Digital Marketing Manager, including oversight of Wintrust Arena activities.
• Responsible for interviewing, hiring, training and developing of employees in the assigned department.
• Supervisory responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing the work of assigned employees to include performance assessment, employee engagement and recognition, coaching and disciplining employees in conjunction with Human Resources, resolving problems, conflicts and complaints.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Oak Group policies, procedures and applicable federal, state and local laws.
• Assists in preparation of annual department budget, authorizes expenditures, and tracks project costs to control expenses.
• Development of marketing goals, objectives and tactics, evaluation tools and reporting mechanisms (internally and externally).
• Assists the sales team in accomplishing sales and marketing goals.
• Acts as a consultant with other departments on internal communications initiatives. Understands the business needs and ensures that deliverables are relevant and effective. Meets with internal stakeholders to explain strategies and solutions.

 

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Education and Experience:

• A. degree from four (4) year College in Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, Communications or Business Management.
• 5-7 years minimum experience with demonstrated success in marketing, strategy and media initiatives from concept to completion.
• 5-7 years minimum experience with social media platforms and marketing program development and implementation and a proven record of online engagement and listening.
• 5-7 years minimum experience supervising staff.
• Ability to organize and manage cross functional organizational teams.

Skills and Abilities:

• Must have exceptional command of the English language, oral and written. 
• Presents information professionally with poise and confidence in front of an
• Ability to build rapport with a variety of people and develops alliances to work together toward common goals.
• Demonstrated ability to perform as a pragmatic and responsive ambassador of the company. 
• Strong presentation skills and ability to facilitate successful presentations with individuals and/or large groups.
• Proven ability to measure and manage the progress of community outreach, business outreach and diversity initiatives.
• Proven experience interfacing with community organizations, business leaders, government agencies and/or elected officials.
• Must have exceptional negotiation skills. Listens to all points of view and negotiates compromise.
• Consistently demonstrates honesty, fairness, and trustworthiness.
• A well-organized individual who is a team player and can relate to people at all levels of an organization.
• High level of analytical and diagnostic skills for solving complex business and organizational issues.
• Works independently to solve problems.
• Looks for opportunities to take on more responsibility.
• Ability to keep manager, and if appropriate, others informed of progress and obstacles in a proactive manner.
• Able to take on a variety of different tasks and roles within the organization.

Computer and Technology Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and MS SharePoint and MS Outlook)
• Comprehensive knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Premier Rush).
• Comprehensive knowledge of the application of social media web technology, search trends and social media innovation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of CRM software.
• Comprehensive knowledge of web design.
• Social media tools such as but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.
• Monitoring tools such as but not limited to Google Analytics, MS Social Listening, Sprout and Heartbeat.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference:

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.