Director, Neighborhood Strategy

Position Title: Director, Neighborhood Strategy 

Department: Neighborhood Strategy 

FLSA Status: Exempt  

Reports To: Vice President, Neighborhood Strategy 

Effective Date: February 2025 

Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor destination to business and leisure travelers.  

POSITION SUMMARY  

The Director of Neighborhood Strategy will lead multi-faceted community-facing initiatives from start to finish, fostering meaningful connections between Choose Chicago and our 77 neighborhoods.  

The ideal candidate will create and implement strategies that promote equitable tourism and community engagement, ensuring local voices are heard and included in all aspects of the organization’s initiatives. The Director will oversee programs and partnerships that drive economic impact, amplify cultural narratives, and position Chicago’s neighborhoods as vibrant tourist destinations. 

Responsibilities will include strategic partnerships, program development, project management, advocacy and resource management.  

Per the organization’s hybrid work policy, employees are expected to be in the office three days per week.  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Designs and leads project management in coordination with Vice President; provides regular reporting on projects and budget status. 

• Provide overall leadership and accountability towards the fiscal management for all Neighborhood Strategy projects. 

• Liaise with community partners on behalf of organization 

• Liaise with the Marketing and Communications team 

• Lead event planner and responsible for budget, logistics, vendor management, stakeholder engagement, and managing the day-of activities. 

• Hospitality and tourism industry liaison, including work with publications and third-party organizations.   

• Lead project manager on quarterly and annual stakeholder updates 

• Support research and data collection projects to establish helpful benchmarking and progress tracking 

• Supporting large-scale neighborhood and broader organizational initiatives  

• Performs other duties as assigned.   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Science or Humanities preferred or equivalent practical experience which includes government service, project management, event planning press/media relations and executive stakeholder management. 

• Minimum of ten (10) years of cumulative applicable experience- showing progressive growth and learning and/or training equal to the skill level needed to perform this position. 

• Experience working with City officials, especially BACP, DPD, DCASE and Mayor’s Office.  

• Experience working with small businesses and community organizations based in the neighborhoods. 

• Experience with city-wide marketing campaigns and managing agencies. 

• Familiarity of Chicago’s South and West Side neighborhoods 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES  

• Experience working directly with City departments and community engagement campaigns. 

• Outstanding verbal and interpersonal skills for frequent interaction with agencies and neighborhood representatives 

• Ability to think creatively, strategically and work within budget 

• A strong team orientation is critical based on the collaborative culture required with all stakeholders 

• Ability to illustrate a results-focused approach and commitment to going the extra mile for key stakeholders, including adapting quickly to situations and managing demands  

• Energetic, self-starter and resourceful problem solver - keeps projects on timeline 

• High attention to detail with the ability to manage and work simultaneously on multiple projects with conflicting demands for multiple clients/vendors, and to organize and meet tight deadlines  

• Ability to effectively use MS Office products including but not limited to Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point 

• High degree of confidentiality, discretion and sound judgment required 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS  

• Ability to perform work utilizing a computer for extended periods of time  

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time in performing the work  

• Ability to grasp objects utilizing the fingers (fine motor manipulation)  

• Ability to provide proof of vaccination 

• Ability to travel by ground transportation (includes personal and/or public transportation) as required in performing work  

• Ability to travel throughout the city  

• Ability to work in office at least three days per week 

• Ability to work off hours as needed in extenuating circumstances and third-party managed special events.  Including but not limited to attending business exchanges and venue openings/receptions/client appreciation events, media functions, etc.  

As the official destination marketing organization for Chicago, Choose Chicago’s mission is to enrich our community by attracting meetings, events, and leisure travelers to Chicago for the economic benefit of the city, the community, and our membership.   At times, Choose Chicago employees may be required to assist with events and other business-related meetings and functions as part of their regular duties outside of regular hours.