DescriptionTitle: Director of Communications and Audience DevelopmentReports to: Jason T. Busch, Becky and Bob Alexander Director & CEOSupervisor to: Social Media and Communications Manager OverviewThe Director of Communications and Audience Development is experienced in all facets ofthe internal and external strategies required to increase the reach, relevance, and revenueof the American Folk Art Museum (AFAM).Skilled in media relations, visual communication, integrated marketing, brand strategy,public affairs, design and editorial, audience development, revenue generation, paid andearned media, and digital engagement, this role requires a patient, energetic, andempathetic leader with deep and broad experience and ability to lead the Museum andindividuals to positive, on-mission outcomes.Project management experience across teams is essential. The role will oversee completionof the new Museum website in collaboration with a contracted firm. The position alsooversees the Profile and Audience Commitments in AFAM’s Strategic Plan.Reporting directly to the Museum’s Director & CEO, this role requires a high level ofprofessionalism, a spirit of collaboration and generosity, and a focus on ensuring that allwork done is conducted at the highest possible level. The ideal candidate is a creativeleader who will develop and implement new and diverse strategies to engage and expandaudiences through the Museum’s national and international profile. Key Responsibilities of the Position- Administers and directs the strategy and all facets of marketing and public relations,including media relations, marketing, advertising, digital engagement, tourism promotion,branding, and positioning of the Museum and its leadership.- Supervises the Social Media and Communications Manager as well as relevant externalconsultants.- Acts as on-the-record spokesperson for the Museum and oversees institutionalmessaging.- Leads in part or whole the meetings of the Board of Trustees to share plans and updateson media relations, marketing, branding, and digital and audience engagement initiativesand strategies.- Manages the Audience and Profile Commitments and Action Steps of the Strategic Plan.- Fosters relationships with and ensures timely responses and materials to journalists,advertisers, and promotional partners.- Oversees AFAM’s media efforts by developing, managing, analyzing, and optimizing allpaid amplification in both traditional and digital media.-Manages all content on AFAM website, including exhibitions homepage, visitor information,and other pages requiring regular updates and maintenance.-Project manages the ongoing development of a new AFAM website with a webdevelopment and design agency. Coordinates with team leaders and AFAM Staff to manageproject deliverables and information flow, in addition to editing and rewriting content acrossthe site.-Supports Museum revenue goals with communications planning for exhibitions, programs,events, sponsorships, retail activities, and other initiatives.- Collaborates with members of the Advancement team to support digital and traditionalfundraising initiatives through strategic content planning and assisting with fundingapplications.- Writes remarks, newsletters, institutional announcements, and related material on behalfof the President of the Board of Trustees and the Director & CEO.- Develops and manages the Marketing and Communications budget in a strategic manner.- Acts as an accessible and available senior leader to all Staff of the Museum.- Presence at evening and weekend events and programs may be required, as needed. Qualifications- Bachelor’s Degree and 5-7 years of commensurate experience in communications, marketing,public affairs, and audience development, ideally in a museum, cultural and/or arts organization.- Established relationships and network with major local, regional, national, and ideally internationalmedia and nonprofit organizations, and a record of major media placements in the arts and/or cultural sector.- Proven track record of developing, implementing, and maintaining an effective press strategy andtactics that result in editorial coverage as well as increasing visitor attendance and/or similar metrics which demonstrate successful campaigns (e.g., marketing, digital,and social).- Intellectual curiosity to become well-versed in AFAM’s history and development, successes, and challenges.- Understanding of operational and infrastructure and technology needs of museums, arts, and/or cultural organizations.- Possesses and actively develops a working knowledge of AFAM’s competitive set of artistic institutions, locally, nationally, and internationally, both current and aspirational.- Ability to understand and lead strategies, as well as Staff and consultants, tied to marketing, branding, communications, and revenue generation, and a keen sense of events that touch the Museum internally and externally.- Experience managing muti-faceted and diverse teams and individuals.- Strong analytical, writing, editing, and proofreading skills.- Detail oriented and the ability to meet multiple deadlines.The Museum anticipates a starting compensation of $100,000.00 – $125,000.00 dependingon qualifications and experience.Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@folkartmuseum.org. No phone calls, please.The above statements of this job description contain the general duties and level of workperformed by an employee assigned to this position. They do not claim to describe all of thefunctions of the position. The Employee may be assigned other duties, and the essentialfunctions may change or be changed from time to time.This senior management position is not eligible to be part of the UAW 2110 Union thatrepresents many other Staff.The American Folk Art Museum is located at 2 Lincoln Square in midtown Manhattan. TheAdministrative Office for the museum is in Long Island City, Queens. The position requiresin-person attendance several days per week. Equal Opportunity EmployerThe American Folk Art Museum provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicantsfor employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and anyother category protected by Federal, State, and City employment law.
