Communications Director

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

JOB DESCRIPTION

ABOUT REBUILD FOUNDATION

Founded by artist Theaster Gates in 2010, Rebuild Foundation is a nucleus of artistic

innovation and creative practice rooted on Chicago’s South Side. The Foundation

is committed to audaciously supporting and investing in Black ingenuity,

artistic autonomy and creative intelligence through direct support for artists,

stewardship of culturally significant archives, and public programs. 

Reflecting Gates’ investment in Animism, which he describes as “the spiritual life within

things,” and applying his ideology that “beauty is a basic service,” Rebuild

Foundation reactivates formerly abandoned sites and transforms them into

vessels for art, cultural production, creative entrepreneurship and economic

development.

Pioneering a new model for arts organizations that utilizes the creative process of

iteration and experimentation, Rebuild operates a constellation of sites on the

South Side including the Stony Island Arts Bank, Dorchester Art + Housing

Collaborative, Kenwood Gardens, Archive House, Listening House, the Currency

Exchange Café, artist residences and the forthcoming arts incubator at the

former St. Laurence Elementary School.

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 + 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/