Government Affairs and Business Development Coordinator

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with employer match

Attractive time off program

Job summary

A leading science museum in Chicago seeks a Government Affairs and Business Development Coordinator. This fulltime role involves providing administrative support, planning special events, and managing communications for department initiatives. Ideal candidates will have at least four years of related experience, strong organizational abilities, and superior communication skills. This position offers a salary range of $50,000 - $58,000 and benefits including comprehensive medical plans and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• Minimum four (4) years of related experience in community relations or government relations.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to work under pressure.
• Expert-level written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide general administrative support for the department.
• Plan events for government officials and donors.
• Manage department calendar and travel arrangements.

Skills

Organizational skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Analytical thinking

Calendar management

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

About Us : The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI) exposes guests of all ages to awe-inspiring exhibitions that spark curiosity and bring science to life. Griffin MSI’s mission – to inspire the inventive genius in everyone – is realized through its world-class exhibitions and engaging guest experiences. The Museum provides programs and experiences that deepen the engagement of students and teachers in science and science-related disciplines, with a vision to inspire and motivate our children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology,engineeringand math.

We offer a creative, collaborative, and innovative environment for our employees. Our employees get great perks such as: benefits starting day one of your employment, free admission to Griffin MSI for family and friends, free admission to other museums, free parking in Griffin MSI’s garage and more! If you are equally passionate about our vision and want to be surrounded by a team of dynamic,smartand innovative people, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the right place for you!

The Job: The Government Affairs and Business Development Coordinator is responsible for providing general administrative support and coordinating multiple project plans in collaboration within the Government Affairs and Business Development department

This position requires occasional evening, special event, and weekend programming availability.

Responsibilities:

About Us : The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI) exposes guests of all ages to awe-inspiring exhibitions that spark curiosity and bring science to life. Griffin MSI’s mission – to inspire the inventive genius in everyone – is realized through its world-class exhibitions and engaging guest experiences. The Museum provides programs and experiences that deepen the engagement of students and teachers in science and science-related disciplines, with a vision to inspire and motivate our children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology,engineeringand math.

We offer a creative, collaborative, and innovative environment for our employees. Our employees get great perks such as: benefits starting day one of your employment, free admission to Griffin MSI for family and friends, free admission to other museums, free parking in Griffin MSI’s garage and more! If you are equally passionate about our vision and want to be surrounded by a team of dynamic,smartand innovative people, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the right place for you!

The Job: The Government Affairs and Business Development Coordinator is responsible for providing general administrative support and coordinating multiple project plans in collaboration within the Government Affairs and Business Development department

This position requires occasional evening, special event, and weekend programming availability.

Responsibilities:

Government Affairs and Business Development

• Plan, execute, and staff special events and ceremonies for government officials, donors, etc. tied to various exhibits of the Museum, in collaboration with departmental leadership.
• Oversee department's calendar management, travel arrangements, and manage all incoming calls as well as incoming/outgoing mail.
• Plan, schedule and prioritize work activities and assignments to ensure efficiency and accuracy of assigned duties.
• Onsite management of weekend and evening community meetings.
• Represent the Museum at a variety of community meetings and provide detailed summaries including but not limited to follow-up, action items, and communications on behalf of Museum leadership.
• Collaborate with the team to ensure all governmental efforts (Federal, State, and local) events and interactions represent the Museum in the best way.
• Research prospective vendors for traveling exhibitions and maintain current contact information for vendor lists.
• Compose and edit correspondence and materials including presentations and special reports.
• Maintain full life cycle of budget process by tracking and updating budget spreadsheets, debit account lines, preparing forecasting budget reports, and preparing final departmental budget for leadership review.
• Prepare, reconcile, and submit expense reports for division leaders.
• Manage the submission of division contracts and maintain its filing system.
• Act as a liaison with other Museum divisions and outside vendors.
• In collaboration with the Legal department, assist with formatting and preparation of internal and external documents.

Brand Development and Engagement

• Manage multiple projects while resolving issues in a timely manner including the audit and status-tracking of brand-related projects across the institution.
• Provide support with business-to-business (B2B) marketing and collateral of Museum projects to prospective clients.

Board Relations Support

• Coordinate and schedule meetings and events, including preparing slides, presentation notes, briefing memos, agendas, confirmation emails/calls, etc.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of four (4) years of related experience in community relations and engagement or government relations.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Must be interested in government affairs and business development relations within a cultural institution.
• Must possess strong organizational skills and enjoy the administrative challenges of working within a growing team.
• Ability to interact with staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment; sometimes under pressure; remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful, and efficient.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high-level of confidentiality.
• Must possess expert-level of written and verbal communication skills; strong notetaking and meeting-minute skills required.
• Ability to work and think analytically with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent calendar management skills including the coordination of complex executive and committee meetings.
• Demonstrate an ability to finesse and prioritize changing priorities and leadership requests.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; must be willing to quickly learn new systems.
• Must be available for evenings, weekends, and special events.
• Language:
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such asprocedure manuals.
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of the organization.
• Mathematical:
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Reasoning:
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
  • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.
• Physical:
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
  • The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
  • The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25pounds.
• Work Environment:
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
    

The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $58,000.

This fulltime position is eligible for benefits including:

• Comprehensivemedical, dental, and vision plans
• An attractive time off program including vacation, sick, and personal days
• 10 Company Holidays
• 401(k) plans (Traditional and Roth) including a generous employer match
• Robust Voluntary benefit plans including transportation, legal, and many others
  

Position created on March 23rd, 2026.