Reeling Film Festival Marketing Manager

Position: Reeling Marketing Manager | Full-time Seasonal

Start Date: Contracted position starts immediately and runs through at least September 30, 2026. Applications will be processed as they come in until the position is filled.

Reports to: Executive Director

Compensation: This position is temporary full-time with a salary range of $1,000- 1,150/week, based on previous experience. Seasonal contract workers are not eligible for employee benefits. Must be available to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet deadlines and to attend the festival.

Job Overview: Chicago Filmmakers is seeking a full-time seasonal Marketing Manager to oversee the planning and execution of marketing and communications for Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, scheduled for September 17-27, 2026, with the goals of increasing brand awareness and community engagement, developing audience attendance, and increasing ticket, pass, and membership sales for the festival. Started in 1981, Reeling is the world’s second longest-running film festival of its kind, and prides itself on showcasing the best LGBTQ+ films from around the world each year.

About Chicago Filmmakers: Chicago Filmmakers is a 53-year-old not-for-profit media arts organization that serves the independent film community through education, exhibition, and filmmaker support. CF offers classes for adults and youth; empowers local artists to create new work through fiscal sponsorship and other resources; encourages the professional advancement of media artists through seminars, networking events, and other opportunities for artistic exchange; and provides workforce training for the film and TV industry in Chicago. CF develops diverse audiences through its film screening program and its two annual film festivals, Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival and the Onion City Experimental Film Festival.

Location: This position is based in our office in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago.

Key Responsibilities:

Marketing Strategy

• Develop and implement a multi-faceted and integrated marketing campaign to develop audience attendance at the Reeling Film Festival.

Management and Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with the programming team to strategize how to market films in the program lineup.
• Edit and manage proofreading of blurbs provided by programmers, and generate additional copy as needed.
• Manage marketing interns and collaborate with part-time marketing coordinator.
• Recruit and manage any outside contractors needed for marketing and branding support.

Digital Marketing

• Manage content and branding for the Reeling website.
• Create and execute an effective social media strategy, including utilizing a social media content calendar, and training and managing marketing interns to post across multiple social channels.
• Devise, implement, and monitor a paid social media advertising campaign.
• Oversee the creation and scheduling of email newsletters and track web traffic and conversions.
• Maintain and update email subscriber database and segmentation.

Print Materials

• Produce Reeling printed marketing and program collateral, including creating visual and written content, coordinating with graphic designers and printers, and overseeing distribution of marketing materials.

Strategic Marketing Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Manage marketing partnerships with corporate and media sponsors, including overseeing sponsorship activations and deliverables and maintaining positive sponsor relations.
• Outreach to other film, arts, entertainment, and LGBTQ+ organizations to collaborate on screening co-presentations.
• Create digital marketing toolkits for filmmakers in the festival and co-presenters to use to promote affiliated screenings.
• Coordinate ticket giveaways and other promotional offers in partnership with co-presenters, media sponsors, and other promotional partners.

Membership

• Develop and implement new strategies for increasing Reeling membership, including growing membership benefits, creating membership promotional materials, coordinating membership campaigns, and assessing member needs.

Press Relations

• Liaise with contracted PR firm to collaborate on the festival communications strategy and schedule, co-write press releases, and coordinate sharing of digital assets and access to screeners. Track press coverage.

Advertising

• Manage the advertising budget (both paid and bartered) and oversee design and placement of ads. Monitor advertising campaigns and assess impact.

Data & Analytics

• Track and report on data including analytics for email and social media campaigns and other key performance metrics. Analyze effectiveness of communication tactics and make improvements.
• Conduct market research to develop pricing strategies.

Photography & Videography

• Arrange for photographic and video documentation of the festival to integrate into social media, email newsletters, and for sponsor reporting.
• Oversee the production of promotional videos (sizzle reel, trailers), working with a team of student producers and editors.

Asset Management

• Maintain well-organized and accessible digital marketing assets tracking system and archive.
• Maintain databases and records related to members, sponsors, email subscribers, and attendance.

Other

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Three or more years of successful marketing experience, with demonstrated record of developing and executing results-oriented marketing and communications campaigns
• Bachelor's degree (in marketing or closely related field) or equivalent work experience
• Strong project management and planning skills, with the ability to oversee tasks from beginning to end, to juggle several different aspects of marketing concurrently, and to delegate to and manage marketing interns
• Technically oriented and up-to-date on emerging digital communications platforms, marketing strategies, and technologies
• In-depth knowledge of social media platforms and understanding of how each is best deployed.
• Strong graphic design and photo editing skills with thorough knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) and Canva
• Familiarity with website content management systems with the ability to troubleshoot common website issues
• Experience working with email programs and email segmentation
• Excellent writing and story-crafting skills and an understanding of how to tailor messages for different audiences, including strong copy-editing skills
• Thorough attention to detail with high standards for accuracy and consistently employing the assistance of proofreaders
• Working knowledge of data and campaign performance analysis and history of using analytics to create effective communications and marketing strategies
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite and Google Drive tools
• Proficiency in Google Ads and Google Analytics
• History of consistently meeting deadlines
• Must be able to work independently but also welcoming of collaboration
• A drive and ability to streamline workflow systems to maximize efficiency
• A data-driven analytical marketing mindset and the ability to focus on results

Preferred Additional Experience and Desired Characteristics:

• Experience marketing film festivals
• A savvy marker and creative thinker who generates innovative ideas
• Goal oriented and driven to succeed
• Proficiency with Squarespace, Active Campaign, and Later
• Experience writing film blurbs
• Knowledge of HTML
• Familiarity with video editing
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to a fluid and evolving organizational environment
• Ability to employ good judgment
• Effective at setting goals and mapping out plans
• Highly motivated, energetic, with an entrepreneurial mindset, and a passion to succeed
• Experience managing event sponsorships

How to Apply: Please submit a single PDF document containing a cover letter, résumé, and at least two graphic design, writing, and/or marketing examples to jobs@chicagofilmmakers.org with “Marketing– [your name]” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

Applicants with Disabilities: Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process. Please reach out to jobs@chicagofilmmakers.org with any requests.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Chicago Filmmakers is an at-will and equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. Chicago Filmmakers is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment for all employees. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital or familial status, pregnancy, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.