The Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Holocaust by honoring the memories of those who were lost and by teaching universal lessons that combat hatred, prejudice and indifference.

When neo-Nazis threatened to march in Skokie, IL in the late 1970s, Holocaust survivors around the world were shocked. They realized that, despite their desire to leave the past behind, they could no longer remain silent. In the wake of these attempted marches, Chicago-area survivors joined together to form the Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois, Inc. They pooled their resources to purchase a small Skokie storefront and made it available to the public, especially to schoolchildren, focusing on combating hate through education and giving voice to “Never Again!”

Now known nationally as a leader in its field, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center (IHMEC) opened in 2009 in Skokie, IL, and is a culmination of 30 years of hard work and dedication by the local Holocaust survivor community and many others. According to President Emeritus Sam Harris, “We dreamt of creating a place that would not only serve as a memorial to the millions lost, but also where young minds could learn the terrible dangers of prejudice and hatred.”
The 65,000 square foot Museum includes permanent and special exhibition space. IHMEC offers comprehensive and diverse public programming such as films, book discussions, and lecture series.   The Museum is attended by approximately 100,000 visitors annually; and last year, more than 1000 guided tours were led by a cadre of dedicated docents.

Susan Abrams, the Museum’s Chief Executive Officer, took office in April of 2014.  Abrams observes, “The Museum is in its adolescence.  Much of what's happened in the first five years was about creating and opening the institution.  We are at a pivotal point in which we are assessing all that has been accomplished and envisioning the future.  Our focus is on setting the goals and priorities for the next five, ten years and beyond."
 
The Museum currently employs approximately 30+ full time staff and benefits from the generous time given by more than 300 volunteers.  It has a $10M annual operating budget.

 
The Opportunity:  Vice President of Marketing and Business Development
 
The Vice President of Marketing and Business Development will serve as the visionary and strategic leader for IHMEC in two critical areas.  With equal priority, the newly hired VP will increase earned revenue in new and existing categories; and secondly, develop and ensure the marketing and communications supporting the institution are inspiring to all potential audiences.  Outcomes and accomplishments of the VP’s efforts will include:
 

• Strengthening the Museum’s visibility in Chicagoland and the Midwest.
• Increasing the number of annual visitors and members that experience the mission.
• Expanding and increasing opportunities for earned income, including: admissions, membership, facility rental, the Museum store, and new sources of revenue.

 
The successful candidate will shape Museum branding and messaging and guide the communication of the Museum’s priorities to external audiences across all available channels.  S/he will lead efforts to establish and strengthen partnerships with area cultural and civic organizations; as well as provide input on fundraising initiatives, inclusive of IHMEC’s partnerships and outreach initiatives. 
 
The Vice President will oversee the Marketing and Communications Coordinator, and ultimately design and expand the team to support enhanced efforts.  Team growth is expected with the accomplishments and visions of the successful candidate, new initiatives, and corollary revenue.  Additionally, the Vice President will indirectly supervise two roles with revenue accountability (the Development Associate/Membership and the Operations Coordinator/Facility Rentals.) 
 
The position reports to Susan Abrams, Chief Executive Officer, and serves on the senior leadership team along with executives who oversee the operations, finances, education, and fundraising areas.
The newly designed role requires a strategic thinker and experienced team leader with business development acumen and past proven revenue generation experience.  Experience cultivating partnerships, and high-level work with board committees and organizational leadership are essential. The Vice President of Marketing and Business Development will collaborate extensively with other members of the leadership team and other internal and external stakeholders.   
 

Primary Performance Objectives
 
 
Strategy, Leadership, and Management
 

• Work collaboratively with program and executive leadership of IHMEC to align the organization’s vision, mission and strategic communication.
• Advance the visibility and public profile of IHMEC by developing new and innovative approaches, partnerships and relationships to increase community awareness.
• As a member of the senior management team, represent IHMEC in the community.
• Set department objectives, outcomes and expectations, develop and execute annual strategic operating plans, and monitor staff’s progress toward goals.
• Establish and maintain good, collaborative working relationships with staff members throughout IHMEC.
• Evaluate the benefits of working with outside vendors on projects and manage vendor relationships.  Secure pro bono services whenever possible.
• Serve as staff lead with the Board’s Marketing Committee.  Additionally, provide counsel and support to enable the Board, committees and staff to effectively represent IHMEC’s mission, goals and services throughout the community at large.

 
Business Development and Earned Revenue
 

• Develop and implement an annual business development/earned income plan including, but not limited to, earned income from admissions, membership, facility rentals, paid programming, the Museum store, and new streams of revenue.
• Grow admissions and membership though multipronged strategies that include innovative partnerships, communication and tourism programs.
• Conceive and implement self-sustaining, recurring partnerships and programs that dually   benefit IHMEC’s visibility and the bottom line.
• Explore local, regional and national opportunities that both broaden the visibility of IHMEC, and, where possible, result in recurring revenue to the institution.
• Work with Development to effectively steward members with the goal of transitioning members into donors.

 
 
Marketing, Communications and Branding
 

• Develop and implement an annual marketing plan and budget (supportive of a three year vision for Marketing) to achieve Museum objectives in its external presence, communications, public relations and branding.
• Segment the market to establish partnerships with cultural, civic, religious, senior peer and other organizations to reach new audiences.
• Lead and direct the communication of IHMEC across all media channels, including but not limited to print, audio, video, internet, mobile, and social platforms.  Cultivate and maintain media relationships to ensure visibility for IHMEC.
• Oversee IHMEC’s website, web communications, and social media.
• Oversee creation of all IHMEC publications, including annual reports, press releases, speeches, calendars and other materials. 
• Work closely in conjunction with the Development department to ensure all messaging supports philanthropic efforts, including fulfillment of commitments related to sponsorship of exhibitions and programs.
• Function as the institution’s spokesperson for all media inquiries.

 
 
 
 
 
The Qualified Candidate
 
IHMEC seeks an entrepreneurial and strategic professional with demonstrated success in increasing earned revenue while executing successful marketing and communications strategies.  An ideal candidate will demonstrate a successful track record in enhancing, strengthening and diversifying revenue streams and developing consistent messaging for large organizations with diversified programming. The Vice President will maximize the opportunities to communicate the mission of IHMEC and increase visibility and attendance.  
 
The successful candidate will have:

• A passion for the mission of IHMEC.
• A demonstrated and quantifiable track record in achieving results from business development and marketing efforts.
• Proven expertise in taking initiative, building and maintaining strong rapport and positive relationships with various internal and external constituencies.
• Excellent project management and budgetary skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution is required; advanced degree(s) and credentialing is preferred; as are concentrations in business and marketing.

• 5 to 7 years of related experience with proven skills in growing earned income revenue streams and/or leading marketing initiatives that positively impact revenue.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and social media.
• Ability to work outside standard work hours and to travel locally and nationally; a current driver’s license is required.

 
This position offers a competitive salary with generous benefits.  All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.
 
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by Heather Eddy, CFRE, President and CEO of Alford Executive Search.  To apply, candidates must complete the online application at http://alfordexecutivesearch.applicantstack.com/x/openings and thereon submit their cover letter and resume.  No applications will be accepted via email. Questions may be addressed to Laura Weinman at lweinman@alfordexecutivesearch.com
 
Alford Executive Search (www.alfordexecutivesearch.com) is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the not-for-profit community through professional staffing solutions