Chief Marketing Officer

Wbez 848 - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Senior

Chicago, IL

About the position

The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Chicago Public Media (CPM) is responsible for leading the marketing, circulation, and membership initiatives for the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ. This pivotal role focuses on driving member and subscriber growth, retention, and engagement while managing a diverse marketing team and overseeing internal and external communications. The CMO will develop strategies to enhance the CPM brand portfolio and ensure effective messaging across all platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to increase and retain the Chicago Sun-Times circulation and WBEZ membership base.
• Manage and optimize single-copy sales for the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Implement sophisticated subscription marketing and recurring revenue business models.
• Utilize direct mail, email marketing, paid media, and paid social channels for subscriber acquisition.
• Develop pricing and packaging strategies to enhance subscriber value and drive revenue growth.
• Oversee the marketing team, providing direction, mentorship, and support to achieve strategic goals.
• Guide brand building, brand identity, and strategic positioning initiatives to strengthen the CPM brand portfolio.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive and effective marketing campaigns.
• Lead the head of internal and external communications to ensure clear, consistent, and compelling messaging across all platforms.
• Foster strong relationships with media, stakeholders, and the community to enhance CPM's visibility and reputation.
• Recruit, train, manage, and nurture marketing and communications staff through goal setting, mentorship, evaluation, and recognition.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and contribute to the development and implementation of strategic marketing and brand-building campaigns.

Requirements

• Proven experience in a senior marketing role, preferably within the media or publishing industry.
• In-depth understanding of subscription marketing, recurring revenue business models, and subscriber acquisition methods.
• Demonstrated success in direct mail, email marketing, paid media, and paid social campaigns.
• Strong expertise in pricing and packaging strategies.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Strategic thinker with a passion for brand building and market positioning.

Nice-to-haves

• Passion for public media and commitment to an independent and trusted public media space.
• High level of cultural competency and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace.
• Ability to articulate and execute a marketing and communications vision for internal and external stakeholders.
• Desire to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.