Director Content & Editorial

Title: Director, Content and Editorial

Exemption Status: Exempt

Department: Marketing and Communications

Reports to: VP, Marketing and Communications

Year-round, full-time

Supervises: Senior writer and editor, marketing and editorial content writer, editor and writer

Hybrid: Three days in-person, two days remote each week

Position Overview

We are seeking a motivated and savvy director of content and editorial to oversee the Garden’s content needs for marketing and communications. You will lead a team of writers and editors and work with stakeholders across the organization to develop and curate compelling and engaging content for our varied audiences across channels to drive revenue and increase the awareness of the Garden’s various initiatives.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Determine and coordinate strategic content needs for the Marketing and Communications department as well as the Garden’s key initiatives and communications.
  • Coordinate content across all channels, including emails, blogs, print, paid social, and video.
  • Create editorial calendar that identifies messaging and processes for the Garden’s key initiatives and content campaigns.
  • Working with stakeholders, create key messages and help develop content plans and priorities.
  • Develop best practices for communications.
• Coordinate and update style guidelines.
• Supervise staff: work with writers and editors to understand the editing and writing process for all channels and develop best practices.
• Coordinate with other directors and with team leaders on marketing plans and initiatives.
• Ensure the Garden voice is maintained and on-brand in communications.

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors

VALUES

As an organization, we…

BEHAVIORS

As an organization, we…

Prioritize a culture of GROWTH.

We commit to remaining curious in how we approach our work.

• Create and maintain spaces for learning.
• Test new ideas and are willing to take risks to achieve our vision.
• Collaborate to strengthen our skills and impact.
• Demonstrate perseverance and humility as we work toward our long-term impact.

Seek to UNDERSTAND.

We seek to understand others from their perspective.

• Provide opportunities for input and feedback from others.
• Actively listen to all points of view.
• Consider individuals’ lived experiences.
• Advocate for and protect time for reflection especially during times of conflict or confusion.

See One Another Through a Lens Of RESILIENCE.

We believe that all individuals can experience good outcomes with support.

• Give others the space to balance work and personal needs.
• Support others and demonstrate empathy especially during challenging and stressful times.
• Seek opportunities to learn from and about one another.
• Ask questions about and anticipate the needs of others.

Build TRUST through TRANSPARENCY.

We hold ourselves and others accountable by centering decision making that honors all people.

• Communicate information in a timely manner.
• Provide clarity in complex situations with the goal of common understanding.
• Discuss both positive and negative outcomes openly.
• Evaluate the impacts of our actions.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or English; master’s degree preferred
• Ten or more years of experience working in increasingly senior positions in the field of communications, preferably as a senior content editor or senior content marketer
• Significant experience in the management of a team and leading that team to successful accomplishment of its goals
• The ability to communicate effectively, manage time efficiently, and work well with others
• Proven writing / editing ability across channels and content type
• Preferred: understanding of SEO and digital publishing platforms
• Preferred: fluent in Spanish

Physical Demands:

Office setting. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, and typing. Use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds.

* The Chicago Botanic Garden requires all existing employees to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated by October 15, 2021; hires after this date must be fully vaccinated upon hire or may request a medical/religious exemption after an offer is extended. *

Why Apply?

Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.