The continuing mission of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest (GACC Midwest/AHK USA-Chicago), a 501 (c)(6) organization headquartered in Chicago with a branch office in Michigan, is to promote and assist in the expansion of bilateral trade and investment between Germany and the Midwestern region of the United States. Our organization combines elements of a trade commission, a membership association, and a professional consultancy - quite a unique concept in international trade promotion.
We are seeking a bilingual (German-English) Director, Marketing & Events to lead and shape our marketing, communications, events, and public relations efforts. This is a key leadership position responsible for strengthening our external presence, amplifying our voice across channels, and creating impactful experiences that connect the German and U.S. business role reports to the Vice President and manages a team of three direct reports, in addition to out of our Chicago, IL office, this position is responsible for the strategic planning, development, and execution of GACC Midwest’s marketing, communications, events, and public relations initiatives. Internally, the Director collaborates closely with senior leadership and multiple position also serves as a central point of coordination for communication and messaging strategies within our nationwide AHK USA network, as well as with the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) in Berlin.
About the position
Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Marketing Strategy & Implementation
1. Develop and execute integrated marketing, communications, and engagement strategies to support our overall organizational goals and revenue targets, while building a strong German-American business community.
2. Lead the creation of social media content especially for LinkedIn, as well as other promotional materials, newsletters, press releases, and campaigns.
3. Manage brand consistency across all platforms and ensure high-quality content.
4. Support multiple departments in crafting their messaging and aligning these to our overall strategy while supporting our audience with useful content.
5. Oversee website content and updates, working closely with internal and external stakeholders including three Chapters in our region.
6. Lead the management and coordination of business surveys (e.g. GABO, German American Business Outlook) together with our US-wide AHK USA network.
Events Leadership
7. Plan and execute GACC Midwest’s signature events, including annual gala, national Executive Summit, content-driven programming, webinars, networking receptions, support for trade delegations and other programming.
8. Develop concepts and themes that align with strategic objectives and target audiences, while building engagement and connections our community.
9. Manage budgets, vendor relationships, logistics, and registration processes for events of varying scales.
10. Partner with sponsors, speakers, and other stakeholders to ensure high-value experience for all participants.
Team & Stakeholder Collaboration
11. Supervise marketing and events staff and interns; foster a collaborative and innovative team environment.
12. Work closely with different departments and teams to align messaging and priorities.
13. Enhance team capabilities through mentorship, training, and the development of clear processes and best practices across departments.
14. Act as a key representative of the organization in external communications and events.
15. Coordinate planning and programming with other AHK USA offices, including with DIHK in Berlin.
Required qualifications
16. At least 5 years of experience in marketing and event management, ideally in an international, nonprofit, or chamber of commerce environment.
17. Proven success in developing and implementing strategic marketing initiatives and high-impact events.
18. Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
19. Hands-on experience with CRM platforms, email marketing tools, and content management systems.
20. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; intercultural sensitivity and professionalism.
21. Fluency in both English and German is required.
22. A passion for transatlantic business, international collaboration, and cross-cultural engagement.
Please send your CV in English by email to, HR Manager.