NEW JOB OPENING
HEAD OF PROGRAMMING
IN Chicago, IL, USA!

The Retail Engagement & Marketing team defines, builds, produces and leads the programs and campaigns that help Client Retail’s customers and teams discover, be inspired by, learn about and go further with Client’s products, services, values and initiatives. Client Retail Stores represent a focal point in the local community — a place where technology intersects with the arts and education. We are focused on building experiences via Today at Client— our in-store experiential program that inspires our audiences to learn, create something new, and go further with their creativity.



The Head of Programming serves as an evangelist for our vision in city-based and regional Today at Client programs. This role is responsible for supporting Today at Client campaigns and experience initiatives in Chicago while curating and delivering culturally relevant programming in the AMR market through engagement with musicians, photographers, artists, entrepreneurs, designers, educators, and more. The Head of Programming will collaborate closely with AMR Retail Engagement & Marketing, local store teams, internal Client partners, and external nonprofits and talent to conceive, implement, and execute Today at Client sessions. Additionally, this role will play a leadership position in programming initiatives that support small to medium-sized businesses across the country.



To be successful in this role, you have experience working with extraordinary brands, managing the logistics for events of all sizes. You value collaboration and are motivated by optimizing productivity and navigating complex environments.



Key Qualifications:

• A deep understanding of market-wide trends, themes, and current cultural events

• Significant experience in managing high profile events and partnerships, working with emerging and established talent, delivering a broad spectrum of output including series content/formats, experiential and live

• Creative and highly strategic in the development of content experiences and programs that build and engage audiences, deliver against business and marketing objectives.

• Well-connected within the cultural and creative industry with ability to discover, recommend, and source local talent

• Passionate about learning and creativity to create meaningful learning experiences

• Ability to successfully navigate and execute multiple large-scale projects simultaneously

• Internal and external production management experience to ensure flawless event experiences

• Discreet and professional with excellent collaboration, verbal and written communication, and networking skills

• Flexible project management style with the ability to quickly adapt and effect change

• Strong presentation skills including experience presenting to large audiences

• Strong administrative, organizational, project management, and tech skills

• Availability on evenings and weekends

• Preferred 8+ years in nonprofit arts education or marketing, and cultural event planning



Responsibilities:

• Work with the AMR team to set the vision and roadmap for Today at Client in the Mid region

• Lead programming across the Geo focused on small to medium businesses

• Maintain a strong understanding of the business to lead culturally relevant and strategic in-store content across all formats of Today at Client programs

• Partner with Client Retail field leadership on a regional level

• Work closely with the Chicago Today at Client programming teams.

• Partner with teams across Client in Mid region to identify new opportunities and initiate, receive and write program briefs. Ensure that each opportunity is aligned with clear business objectives that contribute to the retail proposition of Client, and built within a clear strategic framework, working with other cross functional teams as needed

• Cultivate, manage, and maintain relationships with external partners (e.g. cultural institutions, entertainment, art, music, and design industry professionals)

• As part of a global programming team, be an active contributor to cultural observations and ideas, as well as to bring to life programming content that are consistent with Client’s core values.

• Lead communication with Store Operations, Comms, and PR teams

• Conceptualize and execute in-store programs with talent with support from production experts based in retail stores

• Hire external production vendors as needed

• Liaise with Business Affairs and Legal on contracts as well as content created by talent, program participants, and/or external agencies

• Pitch and present ideas across a diverse audience of partners, through strong storytelling and presentations

• Leverage performance metrics and data to enable tracking and reporting on program results, challenges, and opportunities

• Flex and support across projects as needed and when is required

• Responsible for maintaining and reporting programming budgets

• **Only those lawfully authorized to work in the designated country associated with the position will be considered.**

• **Please note that all Position start dates and duration are estimates and may be reduced or lengthened based upon a client’s business needs and requirements.**