Metropolitan Planning Council
Chief Communications Officer
Metropolitan Planning Council, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Position : Chief Communications Officer (CCO)
Location : Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
FLSA Status : Exempt
About MPC Chicago is at a crossroads. Longstanding policy challenges that hold entire communities of Chicago and its suburbs back, emergent threats that cut across the region, and the diminished capacity of local governments threaten our ability to compete just as national investment and federal leadership are receding. Chicago needs a policy agenda and policy ecosystem to match our ambitions. And the stakes—for us, for Illinois, and for the country—have never been higher.
With a new leadership team, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is built for this moment. For more than 90 years, we have been where bold policy meets practical action. We cut through the noise and turn complex problems into lasting solutions. We are deeply rooted in Chicago and its suburbs, but our reach and our networks extend across Illinois and the country. We move quickly and are not constrained by silos or orthodoxy. We lean into our values and independence and harness the best ideas on which to partner with local communities, business leaders, advocates, subject matter experts and governments. We are home to leaders who have executed in the trenches and the highest echelons of power.
We know that meaningful change means facing inequities head‑on, mobilizing across sectors, and advancing policies that strengthen the fundamentals of building a good life for families, fostering economic growth, and enabling strong communities. Our track record, relationships, and deep in‑house expertise in housing and economic development, transportation and mobility, water and climate, and land use and regulations make us uniquely positioned to lead the region into a new era. Chicago can once again become the Great American City. MPC is ready to lead.
How We Work MPC is an interdisciplinary organization with a small but nimble team and a vast network of influence. We combine rigorous research, policy development, advocacy and persuasion, and technical assistance with cross‑sector collaboration to tackle the region’s toughest challenges as they present in the real world.
Diagnose urgent public problems through independent research and analysis.
Support and cultivate diverse civic leaders who have big ideas and unique skills.
Convene heterodox partners from research and academia, business, government, and community organizations.
Surface and share innovative, scalable solutions with government leaders, the business community, and community‑based organizations.
Shape narratives and policies to drive systemic change.
Equip governments and civic institutions to implement policy commitments and deliver lasting results.
Position Overview We seek a Chief Communications Officer (CCO) who can join MPC at this critical juncture to lead our strategic communications work, a crucial ingredient to extending MPC’s influence and reach regionally, state‑wide, and nationally. The CCO will report directly to MPC’s CEO and serve on MPC’s senior leadership team.
The CCO will lead a refresh of MPC’s communications, marketing, and brand strategy, positioning the organization as a leading policy voice for the future of Chicago, our region, and the American cities project. The CCO will work closely with the CEO and leadership team to help craft and execute a strategy to evolve MPC into a locally‑rooted, nationally‑oriented platform by re‑energizing MPC’s existing stakeholders and cultivating new audiences.
The CCO will shape and amplify the organization’s external narrative, ensuring that its core work, including research, policy advocacy, convening and technical assistance efforts are not only communicated effectively to diverse audiences – including government officials, business leaders, civil society, policymakers, community partners, press and media, funders, and the public – but help spark and drive important policy debates and action in Chicago, suburban Chicago, state‑wide, and nationally.
The CCO will supervise MPC’s incumbent Director of Communications, who will provide ongoing direction for narrative and issue framing, messaging, media relations, digital communications, and impact storytelling. The CCO will guide the marketing and communications team’s work with colleagues across the organization to establish strategic priorities, identify appropriate tactics, and drive implementation. The CCO will provide overall guidance to the development and programs teams on external narrative development and brand alignment.
The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $160,000. For the 2026 benefit year, Metropolitan Planning Council’s robust and competitive compensation package for new full‑time employees includes covering approximately 80% of the employee premium for health benefits, 100% of the employee premium for dental benefits, and Disability and Life insurance. Additionally, MPC provides all full‑time employees with a hybrid work environment, parental leave, up to five weeks of accrued vacation, transit benefits, a professional development stipend, and access to an onsite fitness center, among other benefits.
Serve as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO and actively contribute to MPC’s overall strategy, culture, and organizational development.
Represent the communications functions on the senior team, guiding cross‑functional collaboration and alignment.
Communications Strategy and Brand Positioning
Develop and implement a multi‑channel communications strategy that elevates the organization’s mission, programs, and policy impact across local, state, and national platforms and target audiences.
Oversee all aspects of messaging, branding, and narrative development to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with organizational values and goals.
Collaborate with the programs team to translate complex work into compelling stories and accessible content for a wide variety of audiences.
Prioritize and execute competing programmatic, development, and organizational communications goals.
Collaborate with CEO and other senior leadership on a partnership strategy that enhances MPC’s overall brand and external positioning.
Provide crisis communications counsel and support to leadership as needed.
Media
Cultivate and manage strong relationships with media, positioning MPC experts as go‑to sources for MPC’s issue basket.
Oversee earned media efforts, including the drafting and placing op‑eds, managing media relations, overseeing media training as needed for all MPC spokespeople, and serving as a spokesperson as needed.
Direct digital communications, including website content, email outreach, event and deliverable marketing, and social media presence and voice – ensuring engagement and growth across platforms.
Events and Convenings
Collaborate on an events and convenings strategy for MPC that serves to re‑engage existing audiences, re‑position MPC as a dynamic policy platform that can help solve complex policy problems, connect with new stakeholders, and help support MPC’s brand awareness and fundraising objectives.
Ensure development of event‑specific marketing strategies, incorporating programmatic, development and brand amplification needs.
Management
Grow and manage MPC’s marketing and communications team, with responsibility for hiring, mentoring, and supporting additional staff as the team expands.
Provide strategic guidance and support to MPC's Development Team.
Develop and manage the communications budget, contracts with consultants, and relationships with external vendors and partners.
Monitor and analyze communications metrics to assess effectiveness and inform strategy adjustments.
Represent the organization at Board meetings, public events, coalitions, and with key stakeholders to advance its reputation and influence as needed.
5+ years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, and public affairs—preferably within mission‑driven, civic, or policy organizations or campaigns.
Demonstrated success in developing segmented communications strategies for diverse audiences, including philanthropic funders and public sector stakeholders.
Deep understanding of strategic communications, brand development and positioning, digital marketing, and media relations.
Proven ability to translate complex policy and research into accessible, engaging narratives for diverse audiences.
Strong contextual knowledge of Chicagoland’s media ecosystem as well as state and national media outlets that cover MPC’s core issues (e.g., housing, water, land use, climate, transportation).
Excellent written, visual, and verbal storytelling skills.
Executive‑level experience and comfort with advising senior leaders and working cross‑functionally.
Ability to listen, effectively communicate and engender buy‑in among peers, staff, board, funders, and partners.
Demonstrable emotional intelligence necessary for building, managing and motivating teams and building organizational goodwill.
Strong commitment to pursuing racial and gender equity and inclusive civic engagement.
Preferred but Not Required
Track record of leading brand or communications infrastructure overhauls.
Proficiency with platforms such as Muck Rack, Cision, Meltwater, Mailchimp, WordPress, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite, and CRM systems.
Experience working with fundraising teams on donor cultivation & stewardship communications.
Application Deadline Monday, January 5, 2026, at 4:00 pm
EEOC and Diversity MPC is an equal opportunity employer, and we stay true to our mission by celebrating the differences among us. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace and encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and of all ages to apply. We will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or retaliation of any kind and we promote a climate of mutual respect for our employees.
Seniority Level
Executive
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
Industries
Public Policy Offices
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Location : Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
FLSA Status : Exempt
About MPC Chicago is at a crossroads. Longstanding policy challenges that hold entire communities of Chicago and its suburbs back, emergent threats that cut across the region, and the diminished capacity of local governments threaten our ability to compete just as national investment and federal leadership are receding. Chicago needs a policy agenda and policy ecosystem to match our ambitions. And the stakes—for us, for Illinois, and for the country—have never been higher.
With a new leadership team, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is built for this moment. For more than 90 years, we have been where bold policy meets practical action. We cut through the noise and turn complex problems into lasting solutions. We are deeply rooted in Chicago and its suburbs, but our reach and our networks extend across Illinois and the country. We move quickly and are not constrained by silos or orthodoxy. We lean into our values and independence and harness the best ideas on which to partner with local communities, business leaders, advocates, subject matter experts and governments. We are home to leaders who have executed in the trenches and the highest echelons of power.
We know that meaningful change means facing inequities head‑on, mobilizing across sectors, and advancing policies that strengthen the fundamentals of building a good life for families, fostering economic growth, and enabling strong communities. Our track record, relationships, and deep in‑house expertise in housing and economic development, transportation and mobility, water and climate, and land use and regulations make us uniquely positioned to lead the region into a new era. Chicago can once again become the Great American City. MPC is ready to lead.
How We Work MPC is an interdisciplinary organization with a small but nimble team and a vast network of influence. We combine rigorous research, policy development, advocacy and persuasion, and technical assistance with cross‑sector collaboration to tackle the region’s toughest challenges as they present in the real world.
Diagnose urgent public problems through independent research and analysis.
Support and cultivate diverse civic leaders who have big ideas and unique skills.
Convene heterodox partners from research and academia, business, government, and community organizations.
Surface and share innovative, scalable solutions with government leaders, the business community, and community‑based organizations.
Shape narratives and policies to drive systemic change.
Equip governments and civic institutions to implement policy commitments and deliver lasting results.
Position Overview We seek a Chief Communications Officer (CCO) who can join MPC at this critical juncture to lead our strategic communications work, a crucial ingredient to extending MPC’s influence and reach regionally, state‑wide, and nationally. The CCO will report directly to MPC’s CEO and serve on MPC’s senior leadership team.
The CCO will lead a refresh of MPC’s communications, marketing, and brand strategy, positioning the organization as a leading policy voice for the future of Chicago, our region, and the American cities project. The CCO will work closely with the CEO and leadership team to help craft and execute a strategy to evolve MPC into a locally‑rooted, nationally‑oriented platform by re‑energizing MPC’s existing stakeholders and cultivating new audiences.
The CCO will shape and amplify the organization’s external narrative, ensuring that its core work, including research, policy advocacy, convening and technical assistance efforts are not only communicated effectively to diverse audiences – including government officials, business leaders, civil society, policymakers, community partners, press and media, funders, and the public – but help spark and drive important policy debates and action in Chicago, suburban Chicago, state‑wide, and nationally.
The CCO will supervise MPC’s incumbent Director of Communications, who will provide ongoing direction for narrative and issue framing, messaging, media relations, digital communications, and impact storytelling. The CCO will guide the marketing and communications team’s work with colleagues across the organization to establish strategic priorities, identify appropriate tactics, and drive implementation. The CCO will provide overall guidance to the development and programs teams on external narrative development and brand alignment.
The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $160,000. For the 2026 benefit year, Metropolitan Planning Council’s robust and competitive compensation package for new full‑time employees includes covering approximately 80% of the employee premium for health benefits, 100% of the employee premium for dental benefits, and Disability and Life insurance. Additionally, MPC provides all full‑time employees with a hybrid work environment, parental leave, up to five weeks of accrued vacation, transit benefits, a professional development stipend, and access to an onsite fitness center, among other benefits.
Serve as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO and actively contribute to MPC’s overall strategy, culture, and organizational development.
Represent the communications functions on the senior team, guiding cross‑functional collaboration and alignment.
Communications Strategy and Brand Positioning
Develop and implement a multi‑channel communications strategy that elevates the organization’s mission, programs, and policy impact across local, state, and national platforms and target audiences.
Oversee all aspects of messaging, branding, and narrative development to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with organizational values and goals.
Collaborate with the programs team to translate complex work into compelling stories and accessible content for a wide variety of audiences.
Prioritize and execute competing programmatic, development, and organizational communications goals.
Collaborate with CEO and other senior leadership on a partnership strategy that enhances MPC’s overall brand and external positioning.
Provide crisis communications counsel and support to leadership as needed.
Media
Cultivate and manage strong relationships with media, positioning MPC experts as go‑to sources for MPC’s issue basket.
Oversee earned media efforts, including the drafting and placing op‑eds, managing media relations, overseeing media training as needed for all MPC spokespeople, and serving as a spokesperson as needed.
Direct digital communications, including website content, email outreach, event and deliverable marketing, and social media presence and voice – ensuring engagement and growth across platforms.
Events and Convenings
Collaborate on an events and convenings strategy for MPC that serves to re‑engage existing audiences, re‑position MPC as a dynamic policy platform that can help solve complex policy problems, connect with new stakeholders, and help support MPC’s brand awareness and fundraising objectives.
Ensure development of event‑specific marketing strategies, incorporating programmatic, development and brand amplification needs.
Management
Grow and manage MPC’s marketing and communications team, with responsibility for hiring, mentoring, and supporting additional staff as the team expands.
Provide strategic guidance and support to MPC's Development Team.
Develop and manage the communications budget, contracts with consultants, and relationships with external vendors and partners.
Monitor and analyze communications metrics to assess effectiveness and inform strategy adjustments.
Represent the organization at Board meetings, public events, coalitions, and with key stakeholders to advance its reputation and influence as needed.
5+ years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, and public affairs—preferably within mission‑driven, civic, or policy organizations or campaigns.
Demonstrated success in developing segmented communications strategies for diverse audiences, including philanthropic funders and public sector stakeholders.
Deep understanding of strategic communications, brand development and positioning, digital marketing, and media relations.
Proven ability to translate complex policy and research into accessible, engaging narratives for diverse audiences.
Strong contextual knowledge of Chicagoland’s media ecosystem as well as state and national media outlets that cover MPC’s core issues (e.g., housing, water, land use, climate, transportation).
Excellent written, visual, and verbal storytelling skills.
Executive‑level experience and comfort with advising senior leaders and working cross‑functionally.
Ability to listen, effectively communicate and engender buy‑in among peers, staff, board, funders, and partners.
Demonstrable emotional intelligence necessary for building, managing and motivating teams and building organizational goodwill.
Strong commitment to pursuing racial and gender equity and inclusive civic engagement.
Preferred but Not Required
Track record of leading brand or communications infrastructure overhauls.
Proficiency with platforms such as Muck Rack, Cision, Meltwater, Mailchimp, WordPress, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite, and CRM systems.
Experience working with fundraising teams on donor cultivation & stewardship communications.
Application Deadline Monday, January 5, 2026, at 4:00 pm
EEOC and Diversity MPC is an equal opportunity employer, and we stay true to our mission by celebrating the differences among us. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace and encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and of all ages to apply. We will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or retaliation of any kind and we promote a climate of mutual respect for our employees.
Seniority Level
Executive
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
Industries
Public Policy Offices
#J-18808-Ljbffr