About the Position
The Marketing and Communications Director is responsible for articulating the mission and values of Art Bridges to its audiences and partner institutions, both those already engaged with Art Bridges as well as prospective partners. The individual must have a clear understanding of all that Art Bridges has to offer, be a passionate advocate for the foundation’s brand and mission, and be a leader in fostering a clear understanding of the role that Art Bridges and its partners can play in expanding access to American art.
What you will do
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this position will plan and oversee all marketing and communications-related functions within Art Bridges as well as outreach and mentoring to Art Bridges partners in marketing and communications for Art Bridges projects. This includes the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy that will serve to define and enhance public perceptions of the foundation, deliver key institutional messages, increase awareness of the Art Bridges collection, traveling exhibitions, cohort initiatives, and programs. The ideal candidate will work closely with the CEO in setting strategies and work collaboratively with Art Bridges team members, keeping all parties informed on processes and progress.
Responsibilities
In this capacity, you must demonstrate a nuanced understanding of Art Bridges’ mission and core activities and an ability to engage key constituencies. You must also work effectively across the foundation and with Art Bridges consultants, coordinating many related communications activities to ensure that they reflect Art Bridges and its core values.
• Work closely with communications teams associated with other philanthropic organizations of Art Bridges board chair, including Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Whole Health Institute, the Alice L Walton Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation.
• Responsible for the planning, creative direction, and implementation of marketing campaigns for the institution, special exhibitions, collections reinstallations, programs, special events, and new initiatives.
• Development of successful strategies for engaging the public through effective press relations and social media strategies.
• Supervise editorial and graphic design efforts, either with Art Bridges staff, contract staff, or consultants.
• Oversee the development of a digital communications strategy and its implementation through digital marketing, e-mail and e-newsletter campaigns, social media, and the Museum’s website in cooperation with the Web Content Manager and Community Manager.
• Work in concert with other divisions and departments within the foundation—e.g., Curatorial, Programming & Learning, Traveling Exhibitions, Awards & Funding, Evaluation—to assess partner data and to develop strategies for engagement.
• Participate in preparing and managing budgets.
• Identify, retain, and manage Art Bridges’ relationship with consultants and vendors who provide marketing and communications-related services.
• Coordinate with Art Bridges’ partners to secure local, regional, and national media coverage of partner projects, including exhibitions, programs and events, and other initiatives.
• Evaluate and report on the reach and impact of media activities through regular monitoring
• Develop and handle crisis and emergency communications in coordination with the Art Bridges outside communications/PR firm.
• Ensure all press releases and media materials are appropriate, accurate and represent the interest of Art Bridges and Art Bridges’ partners and are delivered to targeted media in a timely manner to meet editorial deadlines.
• Utilize media software to proactively maintain targeted media lists
• Manage web-based online newsroom and digital press materials.
• Oversee and coordinate Art Bridges monthly newsletter with Art Bridges’ staff including the social media team to developing content from museum partners and from the Art Bridges staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO
Who we are looking for
A dynamic, energetic, and inspiring seasoned professional with significant management experience in the field of marketing and communications, project planning and implementation, budgeting, the development of marketing and advertising campaigns, brand engagement, the use of social media, and a familiarity with data analysis as it applies to visitor behavior and audience segmentation. Previous experience working in other cultural institutions is desirable.
You are a strong and empathetic listener and are able to respond to the needs of foundation colleagues and museum professionals at every level, from small to large institutions. You have a network of peers in the art world that you can leverage as a resource.
The ideal candidate is collaborative and hands-on with a passion for American art, connecting to Art Bridges parts, and the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with multiple constituencies.
Qualifications required for your success
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing or a similar field
• An MBA, although not necessary, is preferred
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in communications, public relations or marketing with museum experience preferred.
• Ability to understand and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality
• Highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of foundation and museum practices
• A high level of professional integrity and the ability to handle sensitive issues and situations with discretion
• Knowledge of museum and foundation operations, the arts industry, and arts marketing
• Belief in arts institutions as a cause for social good and a positive, dynamic force for economic development
• Excellent interpersonal and presentations skills with the ability to engage internal and external audiences at all levels
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
Personal attributes that support your success
• A great sense of humor, and a passion for the power of the arts
• Enthusiasm about joining an organization that’s new, evolving, and poised to have major impact on the art museum field
• Collaborative and energetic
• Ability to “self-start” and exhibit a high degree of initiative
• Attention to detail, critical-thinker, and problem-solver
• Forward thinking / Early adopter of technology
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
Physical demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to travel independently within museum office and spaces, and in the communities served. In the work environments described below, position requires verbal and written conversation with others, ability to move throughout the museum and grounds as well as attending off-site appointments, ability to physically perform public speaking engagements, ability of lifting/moving objects up to 10 pounds, and use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.
Work environment
Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, and in communities served. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required. The noise level in the Museum work environment is usually low to moderate.
About the Art Bridges Foundation
Art Bridges is a new foundation, founded by Alice Walton, whose mission is to expand access to American art in all regions across the nation. Art Bridges organizes and administrates exhibitions of American art at public and academic art museums of all sizes. These exhibitions draw from Art Bridges’ growing collection, and the collections of partner institutions, foundations, and private collectors.
The exhibitions supported by Art Bridges are engaging, content-rich, and include in-depth educational and interpretive materials. They range from single-object loans to fully developed thematic exhibitions, and include support for programming, community outreach, audience engagement, and meaningful evaluation.
Art Bridges is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status of protected veteran, among other things or status as a qualified individual with a disability.
Basic Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing or a similar field
• An MBA, although not necessary, is preferred
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in communications, public relations or marketing with museum experience preferred.
• Ability to understand and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality
• Highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of foundation and museum practices
• A high level of professional integrity and the ability to handle sensitive issues and situations with discretion
• Knowledge of museum and foundation operations, the arts industry, and arts marketing
• Excellent interpersonal and presentations skills with the ability to engage internal and external audiences at all levels
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Valid driver’s license required
• Willing and able to travel regionally 25% of the time
