Marketing Associate

Position Overview

The hands-on role of Marketing Associate contributes to the work of Chicago Shakespeare’s fast-paced, multifaceted Marketing and Communications department by executing elements of strategic marketing plans to meet established sales goals. This staff member project manages the production of all graphic projects, working closely with multiple departments. In addition, the person in this role assists Graphic Designer on updating existing projects, helps prepare targeted lists, collects information on outreach prospects, and prepares the department’s invoices for submission to Finance. The successful candidate must demonstrate a capacity for high volume, multiple project management, a good eye for design, and a keen ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks to achieve desired outcomes.

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.

• Models CST’s core values of service, ingenuity, and collaboration as well as its customer service ethos.
• Champions the organization’s commitment to a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace.
• Project Management for Graphics Collateral (35%)
  • Coordinate timeline, pricing, routing, and delivery of all collateral, including but not limited to direct mail, programs, take ones, advertisements, signage, and institutional pieces.
  • Service as primary point of contact with printers and mailhouse. Procure cost estimates, finalize vendors, and ensure that production timelines are met and within budget.
  • Route assets internally, and when multiple departments are involved in review process, compile feedback for Graphic Designer, ensuring edits are made correctly.
  • Work closely with project lead and/or department head for each item, along with Producing, Production, and Development departments when billing and listings are part of project.
  • Provide additional proofing when needed.
  • Distribute copies of final materials to staff and archive all printed pieces for physical archives in an organized fashion. Keep clear records of what is on-site vs what is in off-site storage.
  • Anticipate and coordinate timely installation and removal of all on-site signage. Work with vendors regarding delivery, and CST staff (Operations, Production, and/or Project Lead) on instillation when it cannot be handled by Marketing Associate alone.
  • Maintain on-site digital signage through Bright Author software, programming all TV screens.
  • Maintain supply of CST-branded materials, such as business cards, drink tickets, notecards & nametags.
    
• Programs (20%)
  • Establish initial pagination plan and manageable timelines for content delivery and routing process, with guidance from Director of Communications.
  • Whether internal CST project or a visiting company, collaborate with the following to compile content for Graphic Designer:
    • Director of Communications for institutional messages (including content from leadership, artistic, any external contributors, internal CST ads)
    • Company Management on actor information (accurate name, character role, headshot & bio)
    • Assistant Director of Production on Designer & staff info (accurate name, role, and bio when appropriate)
    • General Manager on contractual listings (i.e. Title page, order of listings)
    • Director of Development on Donor recognition sections & Intro to funding)
    • HR CST staff list
  • Route program drafts for feedback and compile changes for Graphic Designer. If conflicting notes are provided, get parties together to come to a solution before passing along edits to Graphic Designer.
  • Coordinate with production team, vendors, and front of house staff for program deliveries and storage.
  • Keep inventory records up to date (quantity ordered, amount remaining & cost) to inform future orders
    
• Graphic Design Support (15%)
  • Assist Graphic Designer on project templates, initial drafts of layouts/pagination, in-house signage. Incorporate edits on existing documents when Graphic Designer needs extra support.
  • In collaboration with Graphic Designer, adapt materials for Education programs such as SLAM, Bard Core, Student Matinee sales efforts.
  • In collaboration with Graphic designer, create necessary lobby signage, from concessions menus to access programs, special event visibilities, and more.

• List Management and Outreach Support (15%)
  • Help prepare necessary TESS lists for department (mailing, email segmentation), in collaboration with Director of Marketing and Sales.
  • Prepare and send weekly audience and suppression lists for digital ads and paid social campaigns.
  • Update TRG List database once a show has closed.
  • Facilitate all list trade requests.
  • Research outreach prospects, establishing appropriate point of contact, on a show-by-show basis.
  • Lead department’s efforts to find new avenues to build audiences that utilize our Access services, collaborating with Front of House Manager, Box Office Supervisor & Marketing and Communications team.

• Budget Management, Invoice Processing & Department Admin (15%)
  • Submit all marketing and communication department invoices for vendors, projects, and licensing by their payment deadline, along with monthly credit card logs. Request setup for new vendors or update info for existing vendors as needed.
  • Ongoing, regular management of cst@chicagoshakes.com inbox; forwarding emails to appropriate staff members, directly replying to emails, and updating patrons accounts (or passing to Box Office to do).
  • Actively update Asana, our work management software, so that all team members can easily reference project status and next steps.
  • Reply to all ticket donation requests and fulfill those that are approved. Identify prospects for future partnership outreach from list organizations who submit a request.
  • Assist Digital Marketing Manager in updating copy on website when needed.
  • Assists the Director of Communication and the Public Relations Manager with media/press, filming/photography, and offsite & on-site events.
    
• Perform additional duties as required by the Theater

Competencies

• Proactive and professional collaborator with a positive demeanor, comfortable working with a variety of individuals—including colleagues and outside vendors
• Top-notch organizational skills and ability to anticipate demands, manage competing projects, and shift priorities to meet key deadlines
• A resourceful, creative thinker who can see challenges coming, and take initiative to put solutions in place in advance
• Efficient multi-tasker who can produce high-quality work on deadline with exceptional attention to detail
• Effective communicator, eager to give and receive feedback
• Able to quickly gain a deep understanding of the Theater and apply that understanding to day-to-day operations.
• Knowledge of print and online production processes; experience working with graphic designers, printers and mailhouses
• Demonstrated mastery of Microsoft Office programs (especially Word and Excel) and proficiency with InDesign
  

Work Environment

• Work hours are generally 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday through Friday at CST facilities on Navy Pier in Chicago, IL
• Evening or weekend hours as needed, depending on programming schedule and project demands.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is dedicated to increasing equity, diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs and in all our hiring for staff and artists. We are committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination. CST prohibits discrimination in employment against any employee or job applicant because of that person’s race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local human rights commission or any other legally protected status.

Visit our website to learn more about our IDEA to Action platform. https://www.chicagoshakes.com/what-we-do/idea-to-action/