Associate Director Civic Partnerships & Engagement

The Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking an Associate Director, Civic Relations and Partnerships to lead the museum's civic and community partnership initiatives, helping ensure a welcoming, accessible place for all Chicagoans. You will build meaningful relationships across neighborhoods, strengthen strategic partnerships, and collaborate with colleagues to drive attendance and deepen community engagement.

You’ll work with the Executive Director and teams across the museum to shape outreach

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible audience development experience with a strong record of strategic partnership development; experience with elected officials and civic organizations preferred.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the museum’s mission and a demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment.
• Familiarity with Chicago and its neighborhoods preferred.
• Exceptional relationship-building and collaboration skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal, verbal (including public speaking), and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, project, and time‑management abilities; comfortable managing multiple projects and engaging key stakeholders.
• Ability to use data and insights to guide strategic decisions.
• Willingness to work a variable schedule when events require.
• Spanish fluency highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops a neighborhood engagement strategy that helps our visitorship reflect the diversity of Chicago.
• Uses available data to identify priority areas, understand community assets and stakeholders, and build an annual outreach plan that drives attendance.
• Strengthens partnerships with the Chicago Public Library, Chicago Park District, and City Colleges, while establishing new, sustainable relationships that support museum priorities.
• Cultivates and manages a portfolio of civic and community partners, including elected officials’ offices, neighborhood organizations, cultural institutions, and economic development groups.
• Builds trusted relationships that expand the museum’s reach and support long-term community engagement.
• Plans and executes strategic events and outreach initiatives that engage civic and community partners and amplify the museum’s key messages.
• Leads neighborhood meetings and off‑site engagements that strengthen relationships and increase visibility.
• Develops targeted communication plans that promote museum access, programs, exhibitions, and community impact.
• Builds strong internal relationships to align neighborhood engagement efforts with institutional priorities.
• Collaborates with colleagues to amplify existing programs, exhibitions, and events.
• Identifies cross‑departmental partnership opportunities and serves as a resource on community engagement strategies.

Skills

Relationship-building

Public speaking

Written communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking an Associate Director, Civic Relations and Partnerships to lead the museum's civic and community partnership initiatives, helping ensure a welcoming, accessible place for all Chicagoans. You will build meaningful relationships across neighborhoods, strengthen strategic partnerships, and collaborate with colleagues to drive attendance and deepen community engagement.

You’ll work with the Executive Director and teams across the museum to shape outreach