At The Obama Foundation, our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change in the communities where they live, work, and play. Right here on the South Side of Chicago, we’re building a home for this vision, a global center for change with a range of opportunities - coordinated programming, community outreach events, educational moments, and more - that invite visitors from down the block or across the globe to turn hope into action.

Achieving our ambitious goals starts with an exceptional team built on our Hope to Action Values - Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope. A Framework that anyone, anywhere, can use to build trust, activate participation, and expand opportunity in their community.

Purpose of the Role

The Public Programs Producer for Public Programs at the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) plays a critical role in the planning, production, and execution of public programming across the campus. Working across a range of spaces—including the auditorium, media suite, program rooms, library, fruit and vegetable garden, and outdoor public areas—the Program Producer ensures that programs are delivered with operational excellence and aligned with OPC’s mission to inspire, empower, and connect communities.

Reporting to the Manager of Arts and Social Practice, the Public Programs Producer supports the advancement of program concepts from planning through live execution. The role is responsible for coordinating production logistics, managing program timelines, supporting vendor and talent logistics, preparing promotional and program content materials, and overseeing on-site event operations.

The Public Programs Producer works cross-functionally across the Foundation to ensure that programs are delivered on time, on budget, and in accordance with institutional standards. This role supports a diverse portfolio of public-facing initiatives, including talks and workshops, community-based programs, outdoor activations, and community space use.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Production Planning and Program Coordination

  • Develop and maintain detailed production timelines, project plans, and run-of-show documents for public programs

  • Coordinate program logistics across OPC spaces, including scheduling, technical requirements, and operational needs

  • Coordinate logistics with vendors, artists, speakers, and community partners

  • Coordinate talent logistics including travel, hospitality, scheduling, and on-site support

  • Review and manage technical riders, hospitality requirements, and production specifications

• Program Execution and Event Management

  • Serve as a primary production lead during program execution, ensuring seamless event delivery

  • Coordinate closely with OPC Operations teams, including Convenings, Facilities, Security, and Visitor Experience

  • Manage load-ins, rehearsals, technical runs, and strikes for live programs and events

  • Troubleshoot real-time production challenges with professionalism and efficiency

• Administrative and Operational Support

  • Support program budget management including invoice processing, expense tracking, and financial reconciliation

  • Prepare production documentation including logistics briefs, production schedules, and post-event reports

  • Coordinate program content and operational details needed for communications, marketing, and promotional materials

  • Maintain organized program documentation and production records to support ongoing program planning and evaluation

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Successfully produce and implement public programs that advance the OPC Programming Strategy and support the broader mission and goals of the Obama Presidential Center

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date program production plans, timelines, and administrative documentation in coordination with the Arts & Social Practice Manager and OPC Programs team

• Ensure high-quality execution of public programs by coordinating production, technical, and operational needs from planning through post-event reporting

• Provide flexible production support across the OPC programming portfolio based on institutional priorities and program needs

Required Qualifications

• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends during program delivery

• Proven experience planning and producing mid-to-large scale public programs, with a minimum 3 years experience with live events, or cultural programming

• Demonstrated experience managing complex program logistics in cultural organizations, creative companies, civic institutions, or educational settings

• Experience coordinating programming for diverse audiences including adults, families, and youth

• Strong understanding of event production requirements including staging, sound, lighting, technical production, and venue operations

• Experience working with high-profile talent, artists, speakers, or public figures

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with internal stakeholders, partners, vendors, and talent

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

• Technical production knowledge related to audio / visual (AV), sound, lighting, staging, or exhibition installation

• Proficiency of Spanish is a plus, but not required.

The salary range for this role is between $59,755 and $74,670.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. Please note that employment in this role is contingent upon continued grant funding and is subject to annual budget reviews.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.