Project Specialist Jobs in Illinois

Who We Are

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is a certified nonprofit organization that uses tours, public programs, and exhibitions to support education and community engagement. From 75+ walking tours and an award-winning river cruise to a striking riverfront Center, CAC connects visitors with Chicago’s architectural heritage and urban future. Revenue from tickets and programs directly funds youth education initiatives, world-renowned events like Open House Chicago, and public information campaigns. These efforts empower residents and visitors to better understand architecture, urban design, and their role in shaping the future of cities. Team members contribute to an organization recognized for its impact on civic engagement and architectural education.

Job Summary

The Exhibitions Project Specialist coordinates the planning, design, and production of site activations located in partnering communities, as well as exhibitions at the Chicago Architecture Center. This individual possesses strong operational and administrative skills with demonstrated ability and experience in coordinating complex, multi-faceted activities. The Project Specialist communicates effectively with a variety of local, national and international stakeholders and has an ability to navigate multiple stakeholder groups simultaneously. This position is responsible for organizing and tracking project tasks, coordinating communication among team members and collaborators. This position additionally contributes to exhibition and interpretive content where appropriate and collaborates in creating meaningful exhibition experiences for CAC audiences.

This position is partially focused on a multi-year grant-funded initiative and acts as project coordinator in the development of off-site exhibits, festivals, and place-based activation projects that partner with community sites.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Coordinates planning and implementation of place-based activation projects associated with specific grant funding.

• Uses in-house project management platforms to track projects from concept through execution, including the development and maintenance of project timelines, task lists, and multi-departmental coordination.

• Prepares agendas, participates in meetings by documenting, distributing notes, and following up on decisions/action items.

• Tracks KPIs and other evaluation metrics for place-based activation projects.

• Processes and tracks payments associated with grant funding.

• Supports multiple exhibition projects at a time, in direct collaboration with Learning and Public Programs teams, and constant communication with Marketing, Facilities, and Center staff.

• Contributes to exhibition projects involving design, fabrication, lighting, graphics, digital interface, installation, maintenance and de-installation, from concept through execution.

• Supports off-site projects in partnership with community stakeholders, representing CAC with professionalism and positivity.

• Researches, acquires, and interprets architecture and design information, images, artifacts and technologies that contribute to the development of exhibit experiences.

• Works with external vendors and partners to coordinate exhibition-related projects, including graphics, digital interactives, and physical spatial designs.

• Contributes interpretive content and label writing where appropriate.

• Other duties as needed

Skills and Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, architecture, interior design, urban planning or a related field, or equivalent experience

• At least 3-5 years coordinating complex projects with many moving parts, ideally in exhibitions, cultural programs, design or community-based work

• Knowledge of and/or interest in architectural history, urban planning, design, historic preservation/cultural heritage conservation, or a related discipline

• Knowledge of exhibition practice and interpretation, including writing labels or interpretive content

• Experience building and maintaining project timelines, task lists and budgets or payment tracking, preferably using a project management platform

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

• Willing to travel locally to partner sites and to work some evenings, weekends and flexible with international time zones, especially during installs and activations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing, designing or fabricating exhibitions

• Experience with community-based design or place-based programming

• Experience supporting grant-funded projects, including tracking KPIs and reporting to funders

Skills and Competencies

• Organization and attention to detail: Manages several projects at once, keeps tasks and deadlines on track, and follows through on action items.

• Communication: Writes and speaks clearly. Prepares agendas and meeting notes, and adjusts messages for staff, vendors, community partners and the public.

• Collaboration and relationship building: Builds trust across departments and with community partners, and represents CAC professionally off-site.

• Adaptability: Stays effective when schedules, priorities or site conditions change, and solves problems as they come up.

• Stakeholder coordination: Balances the needs of several groups at once, including Learning, Public Programs, Marketing, Facilities, vendors and community sites.

• Audience-centered thinking: Brings visitor and community perspectives into exhibition and activation experiences.

• Research and interpretation: Finds and makes sense of architecture and design information, images and artifacts to shape exhibit content.

• Accountability: Tracks evaluation metrics and grant-related payments accurately and on time.

Working conditions

• Supplemental Information to Assist Organizations In Their Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• http://www.niqca.org/documents/ADAPhysicalRequirementsChecklist.pdf

Physical requirements

• Supplemental Information to Assist Organizations In Their Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• http://www.niqca.org/documents/ADAPhysicalRequirementsChecklist.pdf

Direct reports

• n/a

Benefits & Perks

• Health & wellness: Medical, dental, and vision plans for full-time employees, plus an Employee Assistance Program, FSAs, and pre-tax commuter benefits.
• Financial security: 401(k) with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 4%, employer-paid life and disability insurance, and optional voluntary benefits.
• Time off: 11 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, vacation starting at 10 days, personal time starting at 12 days, and paid parental leave.
• Work-life: Hybrid schedule for eligible roles and professional development support.