Mediabistro logo
job logo

Next City is hiring: Director of Communications And Public Relations in Chicago

Next City · Chicago, IL, USA ·

Pay:
$38-$50/hr
Job type:
Contract

Title:

Director, Public Relations & Communications

Location:

Chicago, IL

Industry:

Non‑Profit

Compensation:

$38–$50/hr (contract)

Schedule:

This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

About Our Client
Our client is a major cultural institution dedicated to public education, community engagement, and innovative programming. Their team is collaborative, mission‑driven, and committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Job Description
The Director of Public Relations & Communications will lead all external messaging, media relations, and brand storytelling. This role partners closely with executive leadership and plays a key part in shaping the organization’s public voice.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute PR and communication strategies

Manage media outreach, pitching, and press relationships

Lead crisis and issues communication planning

Create compelling stories and content for diverse audiences

Support executive communications and thought leadership

Draft press releases, announcements, and internal updates

Serve as spokesperson when needed

Attend occasional weekend/evening events (exhibit openings, galas)

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, PR, Marketing, or related field

7–10 years of communications or PR experience, including leadership

Strong media relations background with established contacts

Excellent writing and verbal communication skills

Experience supporting C‑suite executives

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment

Professional presence and polished communication style

Additional Details

3–6 month contract with potential for role evolution

Canva experience preferred

Perks

Work with a nationally recognized cultural institution

Access to special events and exhibit openings

Beautiful campus location

High‑visibility role with immediate impact

Equal Opportunity Employer
Addison Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Addison Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Addison Group complies with applicable state and local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

About Next City

About Next City

Founded in 2003, Next City’s journalism centers marginalized voices while amplifying solutions to the problems that oppress people in cities. At a time when cities face rampant inequality and urgent challenges, Next City’s work is critical: by spreading real stories and workable ideas from one city to the next, we connect people, places and solutions that move our society toward justice and equity.

Next City’s readers are the city-builders who share our vision for the transformation of cities. Our core audience consists of individuals working in city planning, finance, architecture, media, academia, transportation, the arts — or within any sector that must collaborate to make cities run more equitably. This dynamic group uses Next City as a trusted resource for professional education and exploration. The extended audience consists of the people who are part of the change process in cities: grassroots organizers, activists, advocates, elected officials, local business and nonprofit leaders, and voters.

Next City publishes hundreds of stories on solutions to urban issues each year. We also compile our best reporting into ebooks, host webinars with practitioners who share lessons from their work, and convene live events such as our annual Vanguard Conference for rising urban leaders. Learn more at nextcity.org/about.

We are dedicated to improving our organization, in part by better reflecting the people we cover. We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

job logo