Communications Director

ABOUT REBUILD FOUNDATION

Founded by artist Theaster Gates in 2010, Rebuild Foundation is a platform for art, cultural development, and neighborhood transformation. Rebuild strengthens creative communities through grants, classes, residencies, access to our collections and free public programs. The Foundation is well known for innovative, ambitious, and impactful arts and cultural initiatives, hosting projects and programs that amplify the history, value, and promise of Black creativity at local, national, and international scales. Rebuild operates a constellation of sites on the South Side of Chicago including the Stony Island Arts Bank, Dorchester Art + Housing Collaborative, Kenwood Gardens, and the forthcoming arts incubator at the former St. Laurence Elementary School. Rebuild Foundation is grounded in and enriched by three core values: Black people matter, Black spaces matter, and Black objects matter.

POSITION SUMMARY

Rebuild Foundation is seeking a Communications Director to lead and shape our communications strategy as we continue our archival processing of our four permanent collections, present innovative and interesting exhibitions across our spaces, continue our support for artists through residencies and fellowships, demonstrate the artistic and creative origins and futures of our work, and prepare to launch the St. Laurence Arts Incubator in late 2024. Programming in the 40,000 square foot building will support a residency program for local, national and internal artists of color, economic development, and archival research, significantly expanding Rebuild’s existing programs. This pivotal moment marks a significant shift in the Foundation's structure and activities and we are looking for a dynamic, creative, and visionary communications professional to support our marketing and public relations goals through this period.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communications Strategy: Collaborate closely with Rebuild’s leadership to develop and execute social media, public relations and communications campaign strategies that align with Rebuild Foundation's mission, values, and strategic goals, and key initiatives with developments in Theaster Gates’ studio practice.
• Media Relations: Develop and maintain relationships with local, national, and international media outlets to secure positive press coverage for the organization, its projects, and its initiatives. The ideal candidate will help to craft original pitches to communicate updates across Rebuild Foundation’s and Theaster Gates’s ecosystem of programs, sites and exhibitions to garner press coverage across a variety of publications and topics including arts, culture, business, economics, architecture, urban planning, design, philanthropy, education and academia, lifestyle, and others. The ideal candidate will also support the building and maintenance of an internal database of media professionals while working closely with external communications partners (where applicable).
• Content Creation: Create compelling and impactful written and visual content, including press releases, articles, blog posts, and social media posts, that effectively communicates our mission and activities in a saturated media environment. Promote Rebuild Foundation events and programs to reach diverse audiences and stakeholders, ensuring that events are well attended for local audiences and well documented and represented for audiences outside of Chicago.
• Social Media Management: Plan and execute Rebuild Foundation's social media presence, ensuring consistent and engaging content that reflects our creative and dynamic atmosphere. This role includes both creating content, actively managing social media consultants/support and posting to Rebuild’s channels upon advanced approval of content.
• Brand Management: Uphold and enhance the Rebuild Foundation brand by ensuring that all communications materials are consistent in style and messaging, and consistent with the Foundation’s forthcoming new visual identity.
• Public Relations: Serve as the spokesperson for Rebuild Foundation when needed, and coordinate media interviews and public appearances for Theaster Gates and other key figures within the organization.
• Event Promotion and Production: Promote and attend Rebuild Foundation events and programs to reach diverse audiences and stakeholders, ensuring that events are well attended for local audiences and well documented and represented for audiences outside of Chicago.
• Manage Departmental Budget: Develop and oversee the departmental budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources, and monitor expenditures to stay within budgetary limits. Analytics and Reporting: Monitor, analyze, and report on the performance of communications efforts, using data to refine and improve strategies.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align communications efforts with other organizational activities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 7-10+ years of professional experience in the arts, creative programming, communications, public relations, or a related field.
• Exceptional writing ability with a creative and engaging style.
• Experience in arts and culture communications is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in social media platforms and content management systems.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic and creative environment.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, a cover letter, and a portfolio of relevant work to HR@rebuild-foundation.org with “COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR” in the subject line. Rebuild Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. This position requires the ability to stand throughout the workday, some bending, stooping and stretching, requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate equipment. Employees will be required to type on computers occasionally. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with staff and guests. Rebuild Foundation reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time based on the needs of the organization.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Rebuild Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Rebuild Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

To learn more about Rebuild Foundation, please visit: https://www.rebuild-foundation.org/