Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

International African American Museum - Charleston, SC

Full-time - Senior

Charleston, SC

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions

About the position

The International African American Museum (IAAM), located in Charleston, SC, is seeking a Senior Director of Marketing and Communications to help advance its mission as a world-class institution dedicated to commemorating the foundational role of Africans and their descendants in American history. This position is pivotal in planning, developing, and implementing the museum's marketing, communications, and public relations strategies, both externally and internally. The Senior Director will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will be responsible for directing the efforts of the marketing, communications, visitor experience, group tourism and sales, and graphic design staff. The Senior Director must articulate a strategic vision that aligns the museum's overarching brand, audience, and marketing goals with specific objectives for general admission, special exhibitions, curatorial initiatives, educational programming, memberships, and events. As a member of the senior leadership team, this role requires a unique combination of strategic and creative vision, visitor advocacy, data analysis, and leadership skills. The Senior Director will manage a team of three, including a social media manager/coordinator, a manager of media relations, and a marketing and communications manager. Additionally, the position will oversee the work of external marketing and communications partners and specialty consultants, including those focused on digital marketing channels. The Senior Director will also collaborate with various departments within the museum, particularly in supporting Public Programs, Membership, and Development teams, while promoting key events and initiatives. This role is essential for driving earned revenue, which includes ticket, program, retail, and cafe sales, with a target of $3.7 million in FY24 and an annual ticketed attendance goal of approximately 200,000. The successful candidate will create and execute campaigns for museum member and donor acquisition and renewal, as well as communication strategies for various stakeholders, including donors, members, and visitors.

Responsibilities

• Create, implement, and measure the success of an institutional marketing, communications, and public relations strategy across targeted audiences.
• Manage brand identity, profile, and articulation of mission.
• Drive earned revenue, inclusive of ticket, program, retail, and cafe sales, targeting $3.7M in FY24 and approximately 200K annual ticketed attendance.
• Create and execute campaigns for Museum Member and Donor acquisition and renewal drives, special exhibitions, and signature programs.
• Develop communication strategies and tools for Museum stakeholders, including donors, members, and visitors.
• Support and contribute to a strategic plan for long-term audience development.
• Manage market research and stakeholder surveys to create effective audience engagement strategies.
• Oversee a department staff of three: Social Media Manager/Coordinator, Manager of Media Relations, and Marketing and Communications Manager.
• Manage contracted support staff and vendors for marketing needs and strategy.
• Coordinate media interest in the Museum, maintaining and monitoring earned media interest and pitching stories to solidify IAAM's brand.
• Create strategies for IAAM's presence across various marketing channels, including email and print.
• Collaborate on institutional projects and initiatives, such as special events and DEIA initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, and/or communications, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of seven years' experience in marketing and communications at an organizational level.
• Experience in direct consumer marketing, including managing and creating brand, event, and/or product campaigns.
• Significant supervisory and managerial experience (minimum of 3 years).
• Experience managing budgets and contracted employees and/or vendors.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in the Arts and Culture sector.
• Experience in team-building and set-up/design.
• Experience marketing and communicating for cause-based, mission-oriented institutions or campaigns.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Dental insurance coverage
• 401k retirement savings plan
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling options
• Professional development opportunities