About Chicago Public Media

Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 2 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to become the essential and most trusted news source that Chicago turns to each day for understanding the people, events, and ideas that shape our community.

WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by more than 86,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2022, WBEZ received more than 20 awards for its journalism, including two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago’s oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards.  In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations. 

Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world.  And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.

For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.

The Opportunity

The Membership Manager works jointly across WBEZ & the Chicago Sun-Times (CST) with a focus on overseeing the organization’s direct mail, acknowledgments, thank you gift/benefits, engagement program, mid-level program as well as a portfolio of vendor relationships.
They are a key part of the Membership team, taking the lead on member communication, engagement and retention efforts with attention to customization by cohort: WBEZ, CST, Sustainers, Leadership Circle. This role plays an instrumental part in the development and execution of Chicago Public Media fundraising campaigns, including monthly renewal efforts and quarterly pledge drives. They are responsible for planning, budgeting and reporting in the areas mentioned above – and will have accountability for goals related to revenue, retention and engagement.

This role is varied in its responsibilities and will work alongside many CPM colleagues. Must be able to work with a diverse group of people, have great interpersonal skills and should exemplify CPM’s values:

We show up every day with passion and purpose.
We ask questions and listen with intent.
We have each other's backs.
We work hard. We have fun.
We are present in our community.
We leave proud every day.

 

General Responsibilities

  • Manage donor engagement and content strategy to provide impactful and consistent touchpoints across channels, including ownership of Member Update quarterly print newsletter and the monthly Member Insider e-newsletter
  • Lead the strategy, planning and execution of CPM’s mid-level giving program, focused on donors giving between $1,200 and $4,999 annually.
  • Oversee a comprehensive approach to gift acknowledgements, member benefits and thank you gifts including:
    • Timely fulfillment and delivery
    • Vendor management
    • Budget planning and invoice reconciliation
    • Inventory oversight
  • Manage direct mail program with outside consultants to meet revenue goals – including monthly renewals and dedicated seasonal campaigns
  • Oversee e-Renewal content, customization and deployment
  • Lead the planning and execution of membership’s “signature events” for Leadership Circle Members and Sustaining Members.
  • In partnership with the Community Engagement team and the Development team, leverage events for member engagement, acquisition and retention.
  • Provide input on marketing and communications strategies to ensure that member retention needs are integrated into appropriate communications, marketing channels and plans (i.e., website, newsletters, annual reports, etc.) 
  • Work cross-functionally to understand and address factors affecting retention and member satisfaction
  • Assist with other membership initiatives as needed
  • Other duties as assigned

 

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of relevant experience
  • Experience with inventory management and purchase orders/invoicing
  • Experience with event planning
  • Experience managing contracts and vendor relationships
  • Strong communication skills, both written and oral
  • Demonstrated experience in taking initiative when planning and executing projects
  • Excellent attention to detail, problem solving and resource management skills
  • Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Comfort with customer relationship management systems (Salesforce), marketing automation tools (Salesforce Marketing Cloud) and/or building emails in an email marketing system a plus

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.  Our culture is one where collaboration, ideas, and innovation are encouraged.  We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

Chicago Public Media’s dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is reflective across our brands, WBEZ 91.5 FM, Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo 91.1 FM, in our staff and in our work.  We are fully focused on equality of opportunity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, experience, and all other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for you at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include:

  • 6 weeks fully paid family leave
  • High quality Medical, Dental, and Vision plans at an affordable cost
  • A 403(b)retirement plan with a company match
  • Generous paid time off, including starting with 3 weeks’ vacation and 4 personal days.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.

Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.

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