Work With Chicago Innovation
The Chicago Innovation team is made up of people who are passionate about Chicago and want to celebrate, educate, and connect its innovation community in unique ways. If you share that passion and think you’d make a good fit for the team, we’d love to hear from you.
Organization description
Now in its 22nd year, Chicago Innovation operates a year-round series of events and programs to empower the Chicago innovation ecosystem by educating, connecting and celebrating innovators. Our vision is to solidify the Chicago region as a global leader in innovation, and to ensure that innovation is for everyone.
Chicago Innovation is an Equal Opportunity Employer; women and people of color of all ages are strongly encouraged to apply.
Current Open Positions:
Program Manager of the Illinois Student Invention Convention
Position: Program Manager of the Illinois Student Invention Convention
Job description
Chicago Innovation is looking for an enthusiastic, driven, and entrepreneurial self-starter who is passionate about innovation and education to join our team as another leading representative of Chicago Innovation in the role of Program Manager of the Illinois Student Invention Convention.
Chicago Innovation and Illinois Student Invention Convention overview
Now in its 23rd year, Chicago Innovation operates a year-round series of events and programs to educate, connect and celebrate innovators in the Chicago region. Our vision is to ensure that innovation is for everyone by energizing a community that makes an impact.
The organization’s fast-growing youth-focused program, the Illinois Student Invention Convention, is an invention curriculum and competition for K-8th grade students to inspire creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving in our state’s youth. 29,000 students have participated to date. The Illinois Student Invention Convention is transforming public school education by providing educators with a comprehensive and flexible invention curriculum that is supported by real-world industry mentors and unique opportunities for students, including the opportunity to receive patents, professionally-made prototypes and more. The program culminates in escalating awards competitions at the local, national and now global level.
Primary job duties would include the following:
Program planning and implementation:
- Recruit teachers and educators to implement the program
- Write and present professional development seminars for teachers who have adopted the program
- Provide continuous support and communicate with teachers throughout the course of the program
- Recruit mentors and pair them with classrooms
- Oversee data collection and measurement of program outcomes
Partner relationship-building and management
- Aid in the identification and solicitation of sponsors, funders and strategic partners
- Write grants to support the financial growth and sustainability of the program
- Manage relationships with existing sponsors and key partners (i.e. Chicago Public Schools, Peoria Public Schools, YMCA, etc.)
Event planning and execution
- Plan and lead the Illinois Student Invention Convention judging event and awards ceremony
- Communicate with teachers and parents leading up to the event to manage RSVPs and answer questions
- Create detailed agenda, plans and on-stage scripts for the event; and act as event emcee
- Acquire prizes for students, make certificates and recruit “Imagination Station” partners
- Oversee volunteer and judge recruitment, training and on-site management
Represent the Illinois Student Invention Convention to Invention Convention U.S. Nationals
- Act as lead representative in Illinois to a national organization that implements invention education
- Attend annual summit and monthly virtual meetings with national group and other state affiliates
Desirable traits:
- Passion for education and enjoys working with teachers, students and parents
- Good communication, writing and interpersonal skills
- Creative problem solver, efficient work-flow manager, and strong attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple tasks in a highly organized manner
- Strong teamworking and consensus-building skills; effective in group decision-making
- Positive attitude, entrepreneurial and a passion for making a difference
Experience level and how to apply
Seeking candidates with 2-5 years of relevant work experience. Learn more at https://inventionconvention.chicagoinnovation.com/. If interested, please submit resume and cover letter to Luke Tanen at [email protected].
Graphic Designer for Chicago Innovation
Job description
Chicago Innovation is looking for a creative and talented designer who is passionate about innovation to support our team as a Graphic Designer.
Organization description
Now in its 23rd year, Chicago Innovation operates a year-round series of events and programs to educate, connect and celebrate innovators in the Chicago region. Our vision is to ensure that innovation is for everyone by energizing a community that makes an impact.
Role description
The Graphic Designer is responsible for the entire process of visualizing and creating graphics that motivates and inspires our target audiences. You’ll help to shape the visual aspects of our event invitations, program announcements, multi-media advertisements, booklets and printed programs, slideshows, sales decks, logos, website, and more. This involves both maintaining consistency with our existing brand aesthetic and style, along with developing new styles and brand identities. Your graphics should capture the attention of those who see them and communicate the right message. For this, you need to have a creative flair and a strong ability to translate ideas into design that helps Chicago Innovation achieve its goals.
Responsibilities include:
- Conceptualizing visuals based on goals and requirements
- Creating images and layouts using design software
- Prepare rough drafts, present ideas, and amend designs after feedback
- Collaborate with Chicago Innovation team members to produce final design
- Edit and update the Chicago Innovation website (WordPress – HTML experience is a plus)
- Oversee all printing needs and primary contact with company’s printer
- Build and maintain a cohesive visual brand across print, digital, web and social media
- Understanding best practices when it comes to responsive and adaptable design
- Create content for Constant Contact email marketing
- Generate content for social media
Required traits:
- Proven design experience (either previous role or freelance experience)
- Knowledge of the Adobe Creative Cloud and especially the apps InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- A keen eye for aesthetics and details
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work methodically, collaboratively and meet deadlines
- Can manage multiple design projects in a highly organized manner
- Positive attitude, entrepreneurial and a passion for building Chicago’s innovation community
Experience level and how to apply
Seeking candidates with 2+ years of graphic design experience. Learn more at www.chicagoinnovation.com. If interested, please submit a resume, cover letter and sample portfolio of design work (link to your website or PDF of work) to Luke Tanen at [email protected].