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DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

POSITION: Director, Public and Leadership Programs

DEPARTMENT: Programs

REPORTS TO: Vice President, Programs

SUMMARY

The Director, Public and Leadership Programs has the principal responsibility for the content, design, and execution of programming for the Council’s individual members, the interested public, and select constituencies in the Chicago area. This includes the lectures, panels, and symposia offered for general members, young adult and young professional members, roundtables and discussions for President’s Circle members, and occasional private events. The Director is also responsible for the Patricia Blunt Koldyke Fellowship. The Director’s primary role is program development, bringing together ideas, people, and resources to make possible high quality, high impact events for diverse audiences in Chicago. He/she is a key member of the “Chicago Forum” team that brings the world to Chicago. He/she oversees a staff of three professionals and works closely with the Programs team and other Chicago Council staff members.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Public Programs:

  • Manage The Chicago Council’s high-volume public lecture program which includes:
    • Chicago and the World Forum—semi-annual series of high profile lectures on a single theme
    • General Membership programs
    • Young Professionals Program
    • Oversee all logistics for speakers and actual events
    • Oversee outreach efforts for all public programs which includes audience building measures and working with the media
    • Assist in the identification of potential sponsors for all programs
    • Develop partnerships with officials in government offices, local universities, businesses, consular corps, ethnic communities, and Chicago-area educational and cultural institutions.

Leadership Programs:

  • Develop and oversee program events aimed at the Council’s leadership and special interest groups—Board, Chairman’s, Director’s, and President’s Circles; identify topics and speakers of special interest to these constituents; ensure high quality interaction in mostly small group formats

Fellowship Program:

  • Oversee all aspects of the Patricia Blunt Koldyke Fellowship

Other:

  • Work with External Relations on sponsorship opportunities, media, outreach, and donor relations
  • Represent the Council at public and leadership events throughout the year
  • Manage three Public and Leadership Program staff members
  • Oversee some budgetary and financial matters
  • Edit and coordinate program announcements for inclusion in Council Web site and for use in cosponsoring organization publications
  • Perform other projects as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s degree in international field; excellent knowledge of and experience in international affairs; expertise in a specific world area is preferred
  • At least ten years of working experience, to include supervisory experience, in government, a think-tank, or in a nonprofit organization working in the international arena
  • Experience in developing and managing a multi-faceted program of public education and/or leadership dialogue, or closely related experience, is essential; experience should be reflected in highly developed skills related to program development, organization, and management; other relevant experience to include the ability to identify timely and relevant topics and speakers, and knowledge of global geographic, political, and economic interests is critical
  • Excellent leadership skills as well as a professional presence reflecting a high level of understanding of the political, civic, and educational/cultural communities
  • Extraordinary interpersonal skills for dealing with highly diverse constituents, leaders, experts, resource providers, and colleagues; demonstrated ability to motivate and manage a staff of three professionals operating in an entrepreneurial environment
  • Successful experience in fundraising from foundations, corporations, and other sources is strongly preferred
  • Superb verbal and written communication skills
  • Initiative, high energy, and the ability to handle simultaneous high-profile and diverse efforts with a minimum of supervision

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, founded in 1922 as The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, is a leading independent, nonpartisan organization committed to influencing the discourse on global issues through contributions to opinion and policy formation, leadership dialogue, and public learning. The Chicago Council brings the world to Chicago by hosting public programs and private events featuring world leaders and experts with diverse views on a wide range of global topics. Through task forces, conferences, studies, and leadership dialogue, the Council brings Chicago’s ideas and opinions to the world. Learn more atwww.thechicagocouncil.org.

TO APPLY

Please e-mail a cover letter and résumé as Word documents to hr@thechicagocouncil.org. You can also apply via the Council’s Web site at www.thechicagocouncil.org in the Career Opportunities section. EOE


Qualifications


See Job Description


Contact Details


Telephone:
312-726-3860
Email:
hr@thechicagocouncil.org

Application Instructions


Please e-mail a cover letter and résumé as Word documents to hr@thechicagocouncil.org. You can also apply via the Council’s Web site at www.thechicagocouncil.org in the Career Opportunities section. EOE