Description

THE CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS

Marketing Associate

Department: Marketing

Reports To: Director of Marketing and Special Programs

Employment Status: Full-Time, Onsite

Salary Range: $40,000–$50,000

The Chicago Academy for the Arts (chicagoacademyforthearts.org), Illinois’ premier visual and performing arts high school, seeks an Associate Head of School for immediate appointment.

The Academy’s educational model is co-curricular: students engage deeply in both rigorous academic coursework and professional-level training in dance, filmmaking, animation, writing, music, musical theatre, theatre, or visual arts. (Note: The Chicago Academy for the Arts is a different school than “ChiArts,” a CPS school.)

Students at The Academy are characterized by an extraordinary sense of purpose and community. Most continue with the arts after high school: alums include hit songwriters, Grammy Award nominees and winners, Broadway stars, internationally acclaimed dancers and visual artists, and award-winning filmmakers and writers. Students also pursue degrees and careers outside of the arts, going on to become successful professionals in science, mathematics, technology, business, law, healthcare, and many more fields.

Job Description

The Marketing Associate plays a vital role in advancing the mission and visibility of The Chicago Academy for the Arts through creative marketing, digital communications, event support, and audience engagement. Working closely with the Director of Marketing and Special Programs, this position is responsible for the design and production of marketing materials, management of social media platforms, support of admissions and development initiatives, and coordination of promotional efforts for school-wide and departmental events.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, creative, and self-motivated professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and can independently manage multiple projects while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

This position description outlines the primary responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties assigned.

Essential Responsibilities

Graphic Design & Marketing Materials

In collaboration with the Director of Marketing and Special Programs, the Marketing Associate will support the planning, design, production, and distribution of print and electronic materials as needed by The Academy. 

Responsibilities include:

Design and produce posters, programs, digital graphics, signage, and print collateral for performances, showcases, exhibitions, screenings, and concerts and other school-wide events.
Assist in the development of admissions and recruitment materials, including viewbooks, brochures, flyers, digital campaigns, and branded merchandise.
Support development initiatives through the creation of donor communications, fundraising materials, and publications such as the Annual Report.
Capture or coordinate photography and visual content for marketing and archival purposes.
Coordinate the ordering/reordering of branded merchandise with external vendors.

Social Media & Digital Engagement

The Marketing Associate will manage and grow The Academy's social media presence while supporting broader digital marketing initiatives.

Responsibilities include:

Management of an active and engaging social media presence for The Academy.
Collaborate with the Directors of Marketing, Admissions, and Development to create targeted campaigns that drive enrollment, donor engagement, and community visibility.
Maintain and optimize The Academy’s digital presence through SEO, social media advertising, and analytics tracking to ensure increased visibility and engagement.
Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and track analytics for social media to assess and refine effectiveness.

Event Management

The Marketing Associate serves as the primary marketing and ticketing coordinator for public-facing Academy events and performances. 

Responsibilities include:

Create and manage event registration and ticketing platforms, ensuring a seamless experience for attendees.
Create and maintain event listings on The Academy’s website and across relevant digital platforms.
Provide customer service to families and ticket holders.
Assist with event logistics and provide on-site support during performances, exhibitions, showcases, graduation, and other special events.
Manage the sale and distribution of Academy-branded merchandise at events.

Qualifications

The Marketing Associate will possess the following minimum qualifications: 

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Graphic Design, Arts Administration, or a related field preferred.
Demonstrated experience in graphic design, social media management, marketing, or communications.
Proficiency in Adobe Suite products and Google Workplace products.
Experience with event planning, ticketing systems, website content management systems (Squarespace), or CRM platforms is preferred (Salesforce, Hubspot, Veracross).
Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and projects simultaneously.
Passion for arts education and the ability to work collaboratively in a creative, mission-driven environment.

Key Competencies

Creativity and visual storytelling
Project and time management
Attention to detail
Collaboration and relationship building
Customer service orientation
Initiative and problem-solving
Adaptability and flexibility

APPLICATION PROCESS

This position is open for immediate appointment, and evaluation of candidates will begin right away. Interested applicants are invited to send a resume and thoughtful cover letter to Sarah Grant, Director of Marketing and Special Programs. Please reference “Marketing Associate” in the subject line.

The Chicago Academy for the Arts is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants — regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law — are strongly encouraged to apply.