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 Associate Programs Producer plays a critical role in the planning, production, and execution of programming at the Obama Presidential Center (OPC). The producer will focus on the athletics and well-being portfolio of programs taking place at Home Court and the broader OPC Campus. This position will also provide occasional production support for larger public programming experiences across the Campus such as music performances and talks as needed.

This role is primarily focused on end-to-end production and event management, ensuring that programs are delivered with operational excellence, consistency, and attention to detail. The Producer advances program concepts from planning through live execution, with responsibility for coordinating logistics, managing timelines, trafficking content, supporting vendors and talent, and overseeing on-site operations.

Working across spaces including the Home Court, media suite, program rooms, auditorium, outdoor areas, and off-site activations (e.g., field trips), this role supports a wide range of programming including sports-based activations, partner-led events, and community well-being experiences.

Reporting to the Manager of Athletics & Sports Leadership, the Producer works cross-functionally to ensure programs are delivered on time, on budget, and aligned with OPC’s mission to inspire, empower, and connect communities.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Production Planning and Program Coordination

  • Develop and maintain detailed production timelines, project plans, program content, and run-of-show documents

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

  • Coordinate logistics with vendors, facilitators, speakers, athletes, and community partners

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

  • Review and manage technical riders, equipment needs, and production specifications

  • Prepare program logistics updates and production briefs for internal stakeholders

• Program Execution and Event Management

  • Serve as a lead production point during program execution, ensuring seamless delivery of live programs and sports activations

  • Coordinate closely with OPC teams including Operations (Venue Management, Facilities, Security, and Visitor Experience)

  • Manage load-ins, rehearsals, technical runs, gameplay/activation setup, and strike

  • Oversee equipment use, space setup, AV, and transitions across events

  • Troubleshoot real-time production and operational challenges with professionalism and efficiency

• Administrative and Operational Support

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

  • Create and maintain spreadsheets, presentation decks, and reporting materials

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

  • Coordinate with Communications on program content and operational details for promotional use

  • Maintain organized production records to support ongoing planning and evaluation

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Successfully produce and execute high-quality programs and sports activations aligned with OPC’s programming strategy

• Maintain accurate, real-time production plans, timelines, and documentation

• Ensure seamless event execution from planning through post-event reporting

• Provide flexible production support across the Sports & Athletics and broader OPC programming portfolio

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of experience in event production, live program execution, or operations-heavy roles

• Proven ability to manage complex logistics across multiple stakeholders and environments

• Strong understanding of event production including equipment use, AV, sound, staging, and venue operations

• Experience supporting live events, activations, or public-facing programs (sports experience a plus, but not required)

• Experience working with external partners, vendors, and/or talent

• Excellent communication and organizational skills

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

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed

• Comfort working in dynamic environments with both structured programs and active-use spaces

• Spanish proficiency is a plus, but not required

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

This role will be onsite at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. Attendance at programs will be required as needed, including evenings and weekends.

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.