The Chicago Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public interest and education in architecture and design. The Chicago Architecture Foundation presents a comprehensive program of tours, exhibitions, lectures, special events, and adult and youth education activities, all designed to enhance the public’s awareness and appreciation of Chicago’s outstanding architectural legacy.

The Director of Communications and Public Affairs is responsible for managing and directing the organization's internal and external communications to position CAF as a mission-driven organization dedicated to advancing public interest in architecture and design by presenting a comprehensive program of tours, exhibitions, lectures and education program. This position will be responsible for:

• Working with management to build an organizational brand and deliver communications that will position CAF as a strategic priority to its funding sources.
• Responsible for the creation and editing of communications for the organization that includes CEO presentations, annual reports, institutional collateral, and funding raising materials.
• Developing and managing a media relations strategy that positions CAF as the premier organization that educates and engages the public in a discussion about design, architecture and infrastructure through tours, exhibits and programs.
• Managing advocacy communications media interviews with the CAF president and other designated spokespersons and subject matter experts coordinating local public relations opportunities for the CAF’s education and programming initiatives, assisting in adverse event and crisis communications
• Creating and managing media lists, writing op-eds, letters to the editor, and guest blog posts, responding to incoming requests from working journalists and influential bloggers and utilizing media monitoring platforms and return on investment metrics.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Media Relations and Public Affairs: Oversees the overall planning, implementation and evaluation of the day-to-day public relation and public affairs activities to include:

• Lead creation of CAF messaging and communications strategies.
• Establish and manage implementation of a comprehensive annual communications/marketing plan and calendar for public relations, internal and external media services, community relations, government relations, and special events.
• Develop a comprehensive long-range and short-term public relations plan, in conjunction with the CEO, that maximize public awareness of CAF; set priorities and goals; analyze and report on progress in achieving them
• Develop positive media relations, including preparation of news releases and feature articles, as well as coordinating interviews between CAF staff and press, radio and television representatives, while ensuring that all messaging is on brand.
• Coordinate media relations on behalf of CAF and its officers. Prep experts and/or senior leadership for press interaction. Interact and interface with all key departments to manage media activities. Assist, from the media standpoint, in the management of special events (i.e. exhibit openings, donor recognition, galas, city activities)
• Formulate approaches, policies, communication strategies and programs to promote and deepen community and stakeholder understanding of, and identification with, CAF, as well as to broaden programmatic reach and impact.
• Develop strong relationships with members of the local, national and international press that benefit the CAF. 
• Support IMSA engagement, outreach, and partnership efforts at public events and with community and government organizations.
• Manage crisis communication and media.
• Monitor, analyze and track print and broadcast coverage.
  

Communications: The Director of Communications serves as the editor and writer for institutional projects such to include the annual report, institutional collateral, fundraising materials and capital campaign materials. They are responsible for executing all projects within budget and on deadline. Manages internal and external resources, as appropriate, to successfully complete project objectives. This position is responsible for:

• Articulate CAF’s mission in a compelling and persuasive manner. 
• Manage development of all internal and external institutional communications that include fundraising materials, annual report, and trustee communications.
• Lead issues management, prioritizing and proactively addressing public policy and reputation issues that can impact CAFs brand.
• Leverage public affairs and communications strategies in partnership with senior leadership to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
• Oversee and have responsibility for CAFs formal internal and external communication to staff, trustees, docent and community partners
• Write, edit and proofread institutional writing projects within the agency, such as speeches, policies, proposals and grants
• Respond to and manages confidential and sensitive information with poise, tact, and diplomacy.
• Assist the CEO with communication projects as needed.

• A bachelor's degree and at least 7 years of experience. Degree and/or experience in journalism, communications or marketing preferred.
• A proven record of success in communications, public/media relations and public affairs/government relations. Experience advancing these activities for an educational institution, government, non-profit or other complex organization is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to establish strong relationships with news media at the national and local levels.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and produce strategic communications employing a range of content across a variety of communication vehicles.
• Professional, energetic ability to take initiative with demonstrated poise, tact, and diplomacy, including with confidential or sensitive information.
• Comprehensive knowledge of grammar, punctuation and AP Style. Should be able to write materials that do not need proofreading. 
• Experience with Crisis Communications and/or Public Affairs Communications.
• Experience in working with outside vendors, including writers and editors, designers, photographers and illustrators, advertising agencies, and printers. 
• Superior customer service orientation and skills. Must be a proactive and enthusiastic team member and team leader throughout the organization as a whole.
  

Chicago Architecture Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.