Assistant Director for Marketing and Communication - Krannert Art Museum

$60,000 - $68,000/Yr

National Center For Supercomputing Applications - Urbana, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Urbana, IL

About the position

The Assistant Director for Marketing and Communication at the Krannert Art Museum is responsible for overseeing the effective delivery of communication and marketing strategies that align with the museum's strategic goals. This role involves close collaboration with the museum director and other staff members to ensure that all marketing initiatives are executed efficiently and effectively. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of marketing principles, public relations, and the unique context of an art museum environment. In this role, the Assistant Director will develop strategic marketing and communications proposals for all museum programming, which includes specific tactics, implementation plans, and measurement components to assess effectiveness. The individual will manage public relations and media outreach, ensuring proactive media relations and effective crisis management when necessary. Additionally, the Assistant Director will serve as the project manager for the museum's annual magazine, overseeing content development, preliminary design execution, and production management. The position also entails developing partnerships for communications and marketing with various stakeholders, including university units, community organizations, students, faculty, and donors. The Assistant Director will work with the museum director to determine the structure of the annual marketing budget and manage vendor communications with digital and print advertising outlets. This includes estimating and approving contracts for advertising, printing, design, and web development as needed. The role requires the creation and delivery of clear, consistent messaging that connects museum activities, such as exhibitions and events, to the broader college and campus initiatives. The Assistant Director will be responsible for writing targeted copy for print and digital marketing, updating exhibition and event information in digital venues, and proofreading marketing materials developed by other staff members. In addition to marketing responsibilities, the Assistant Director will manage the museum's website and social media presence, administer the email marketing program, and gather data from online marketing analytics to provide measurable results of specific marketing tactics. The role also includes documenting exhibitions and events through photography and video for archival and marketing purposes, as well as archiving marketing materials and press coverage. Management responsibilities include recruiting, selecting, training, evaluating, and supervising undergraduate and graduate student employees. The Assistant Director will also serve as the Chief Communications Officer for the museum, participate in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives, and represent the museum on various committees related to marketing and public outreach. This position may require participation in evening and weekend events as needed, and the Assistant Director will serve as the spokesperson for the museum.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic marketing and communications proposals for all museum programming, including specific tactics, implementation, and measurement components.
• Manage public relations and media outreach for the museum including proactive media relations and crisis management.
• Serve as project manager for the museum's annual magazine, including developing content, executing preliminary design, and managing production.
• Develop communications and marketing partnerships, including university-level and college units, community organizations, students, faculty, and donors.
• In cooperation with museum director, determine structure of annual marketing budget.
• Manage vendor communications with digital and print advertising outlets. Estimate and approve contracts for advertising, printing, design, and web development as needed.
• Create and deliver clear, consistent messaging that relates museum activities (exhibitions, programs, and events) to the college and campus; coordinate museum communications with campus-wide initiatives; ensure museum materials comply with established brand standards.
• Write targeted copy for print and digital marketing, advertising, and press releases; update exhibition and event information regularly in digital venues, including online calendars. Proofread and edit marketing materials developed by other staff for accuracy, content, and design standards.
• Manage the unit website and social media. Maintain an active and robust social media presence.
• Administer the email marketing program, including list development, data gathering, and systematic testing; develop target audiences through weekly, monthly, and special event outreach.
• Gather data and act on expertise derived from online marketing analytics. Provide measurable results of specific marketing tactics where possible.
• Utilizing photography and video, document exhibitions, activities, and events for archival and marketing purposes.
• Archive marketing and promotional materials and press coverage.
• Recruit, select, train, evaluate, and supervise undergraduate and graduate student hourly employees.
• Serve as KAM Chief Communications Officer.
• Participate actively in KAM's diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives.
• Represent the museum on college, campus, and community committees related to marketing, communications, and public outreach. Serve on other museum, college, and campus committees as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
• Two (2) years (24 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area (e.g. an art museum or gallery, non-profit, cultural programming, or related setting).

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree within marketing, public relations, communications, advertising, museum studies, art history, or related field.
• Two years professional experience working in an art museum or gallery, non-profit, cultural programming, or related setting.
• Photography and video production and editing experience.