City Manager - Chicago, USA

Founded in 2001, Resident Advisor (RA) is one of the world's longest-running music media brands and a cornerstone of the dance, electronic and DJ ecosystem. The site's audience of over 7 million monthly users is drawn in by a combination of news, editorial, club listings and ticketing, RA-branded events at venues and festivals worldwide, original films and a weekly mix series that has run for 20 years.

Purpose of the role

The City Manager is an integral part of RA’s Global Content Network (GCN), and RA’s local connection to Chicago. You’ll support the city’s electronic music community by keeping RA’s local content sharp and current, adding and enriching listings across events, artists, venues and promoters, and feeding in editorial ideas that help us tell the story of what’s happening on the ground.

The result is simple: people in Chicago can rely on RA to find the best parties, and the artists, venues and promoters behind them.

You’ll be RA’s eyes and ears on the ground, helping shape how the local scene is represented on our platform — what we cover, how accurate it is, and which stories and communities get surfaced.

Our approach is city-first. That means we don’t force every city into the same shape. There is a clear baseline that keeps RA reliable day to day, then we tailor the focus of the City Manager role depending on the scene and what Chicago needs most right now. The work is set and measured through agreed outcomes and the scope is reviewed every six months so it stays relevant as the city changes.

At a glance

• Based in: Chicago
• Contract and term: Freelance consultant (independent contractor), 12 months, with the option to renew by written agreement
• Time commitment and scope: We start with a 20-hour monthly baseline, with additional scope available up to 35 hours per month total (including the baseline). We’ll agree on priorities and outcomes in a short Statement of Work, and review the scope every 6 months.
• Monthly fee: $510 for the baseline (up to 20 hours/month). Any extra commissioned scope is agreed separately.
• How to apply: Please submit your CV and cover letter in English

Key responsibilities

Core tasks

• Keep RA accurate in Chicago: Make sure event listings, venue pages and artist pages accurately reflect what’s happening in the city, so people trust RA on where to go out.
• Bring strong editorial instincts: Pitch the parties, people and stories that matter locally, and feed into RA formats like RA Picks, Local News, This Week’s New Music, Mix Of the Day and Socials channels.
• Stay close to the scene: Be a visible, trusted point of contact in the local community, share context that helps RA understand what’s changing on the ground, and keep a steady rhythm with your manager and the wider network.
• Spot the right commercial opportunities: Keep an eye out for potential ticketing partnerships that make sense for RA, and hand over introductions to the Revenue team.

Additional scope

• Growth and relationships: Help promoters and venues get started with RA tools, and maintain an agreed set of priority relationships.
• Commercial support: Support outreach and introductions where needed, with clear handover and follow-up.
• Add-ons: Optional extra work agreed separately (for example supporting nearby cities, translations, news writing, or local event support).

Who we're looking for…

• Embedded within the local scene with a wide existing network
• Outgoing personality who builds networks quickly
• Track record of effective communication, both personal and digital
• A passion and understanding of electronic music culture is fundamental
• Willingness to live RA’s values

What we offer

• A front-row seat in the local scene and a real say in what RA covers: you’ll be out in Chicago, plugged into what’s happening, and you’ll help shape how the city is represented on our platform - what gets listed, what gets highlighted, and which stories and communities get surfaced.
• A network of music people: you’ll join a 50+ city Global Content Network of music lovers, swapping notes, tips, and local intel across the world.
• The GCN Hub initiative: education, connection, workshops, and drop-ins with teams across RA.
• A clear, flexible setup: we’ll agree scope and outcomes in a simple Statement of Work, review what makes sense every 6 months, and any optional extra commissioned work can be agreed separately.

More about RA

As an independent company run by devoted dance music enthusiasts, our mission is to bring together the world's electronic music communities. Our Global Content Network (GCN) and international teams help us establish connections with hyper-niche local scenes.

We became B-Corp certified in 2024, which counts us among businesses leading a global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy and part of a community that meets high social and environmental impact standards.

We especially welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, experiences, gender identities, and sexual orientations. We aim for our team to reflect the communities we engage with. We ensure everyone is valued and respected by actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace.

Our values

• Electronic music is art.
• We celebrate the progressive values that underpin electronic music.
• We advocate for a more inclusive and equitable electronic music community.
• We honour the past, present and future of electronic music.
• We use innovation to empower the community.
• We choose honesty over gain and purpose over profit.
• We're always front left.

This listing will be open for a minimum of two weeks between October 14 and October 27, 2026. Questions: gcn@ra.co