Job Description

Job Details Job Location : Chicago Shakespeare Theater - Chicago, IL Position Type : Full Time Salary Range : Undisclosed

Chief Marketing Officer

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Job Description

Position Overview

The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) supports the theater's strategic priorities and is a member of CST’s senior leadership team. This role leads strategic marketing, communications, public relations, branding, audience experience, and shapes CST’s profile locally and nationally. The CMO focuses on growing new audiences and deepening relationships with current audiences by effectively communicating the mission, vision, and programming activities. They develop and execute plans to generate earned ticket revenues, partnering with development, guest services, and education, while leading a staff in marketing, communications, CRM, website, box office, and graphic design.

The CMO stays current on market research, consumer trends, and target audiences. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to create integrated marketing campaigns, manage brand positioning, and enhance audience experience. Monitoring marketing performance, analyzing data, and making data-driven decisions are key aspects of this role.

This position reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Artistic Director. The CMO’s direct reports include the Director of Communications, Associate Director of Marketing, Tessitura Administrator, Ticket Services Manager, and Graphic Designer. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in marketing, brand management, audience development, and customer service. They should be skilled in managing and inspiring staff, partnering with other departments, and have experience in budget planning and fiscal management. An enthusiasm for producing theater, Shakespeare, and connecting audiences to live performance is essential.

Essential Duties:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be requested to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Leadership Environment

• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Artistic Director, and senior staff.
• Serve on CST’s senior staff and contribute to organizational strategic planning.
• Create work plans and lead a marketing committee of the Board of Directors to advance branding and marketing efforts.

Strategic Planning, Branding, and Marketing:

• Define CST’s brand and perception, developing strategies that align with the mission and create external distinctiveness.
• Oversee brand management across all areas, ensuring consistency and strength of visual and written communication.
• Manage branding, positioning, messaging, visual identity, media planning, segmentation, targeting, and pricing strategies.
• Develop annual and long-term marketing, communications, and audience development plans aligned with CST’s goals.
• Lead implementation of marketing efforts to attract and retain audiences and meet revenue goals.
• Drive integrated marketing initiatives including SEO/SEM, content marketing, email, social media, and online advertising.
• Supervise the creation of visual materials and images to maintain CST’s visual identity.
• Manage database and market research projects, analyzing data for marketing improvements.
• Ensure Tessitura database is optimized and utilized effectively across departments.

Revenue Generation and Expense Management:

• Develop and monitor revenue projections, using data analysis and pricing strategies.
• Manage budgets for marketing, communications, sales, and ticketing operations.
• Evaluate revenue and expense data to assess goal achievement and ROI.

Institutional Messaging, Communications, Public Relations:

• Create and execute a brand communications strategy to raise CST’s profile locally and nationally.
• Work with the Director of Communications to craft compelling narratives and build awareness.
• Maintain consistent voice, tone, and messaging across all communications.
• Build strong media relationships and oversee media coverage.
• Lead crisis communications in collaboration with the Director of Communications and Executive Director.
• Oversee website content and design strategies to ensure best practices.

Audience Loyalty and Experience:

• Manage Ticketing Services to ensure a positive experience for ticket buyers and audiences.
• Develop a personalized, relational audience loyalty program to increase subscriptions, multi-buyers, and donor engagement.

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