Director of Marketing, Communications, and Partner Relations

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Job Title: Director of Marketing, Communications, and Partner Relations

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site)

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Art Bridges Foundation is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. Since 2017, Art Bridges has created and supported projects that bring outstanding works of American art out of storage and into communities. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of over 250 museums of all sizes and locations—impacting more than 20 million people across 50 states and Puerto Rico—to provide financial and strategic support for exhibition development, collection loans, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local audiences. The Art Bridges Collection represents an expanding vision of American art from the 19th century to present day and encompasses multiple media and voices. For more information, visit artbridgesfoundation.org.

The Director of Marketing, Communications, and Partner Relations is responsible for planning, development, and implementation of Art Bridges marketing strategies, communications, and partner relations activities. The Director leads at the strategic and tactical levels with the other functions of the foundation to increase Art Bridges awareness, impact, and partnerships nationally. Additionally, the Director guides press and PR opportunities and guides agency relationships, as well as supports and collaborates with marketing and communications teams at partner museums.

The Director of Marketing, Communications, and Partner Relations ties all strategic marketing and communications initiatives back to organizational strategic goals and keeps the big picture in focus. As a member of the leadership team, the Director is involved in organization-wide strategic and business planning, evaluation, and professional development initiatives. In addition, the Director works closely with the communications leads at Art and Wellness Enterprises (AWE), the organization that provides operational support for non-profits that are part of Alice L. Walton's philanthropic enterprise, and other team leads within the ecosystem.

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of Art Bridges' marketing, communication, and partner relations strategy, ensuring adherence to organizational goals and objectives.
• Ensure that evaluation systems are in place related to these goals and objectives, and report progress to the CEO.
• Ensure that the appropriate systems, staffing, and procedures are in place to properly support department functional areas of marketing, communications, partner relations, and strategic projects.
• Oversee coordination, execution, workflow optimization, and milestone management for cross-functional strategic projects to advance organization goals.
• Develop and oversee annual budgets, monitor progress, and assure adherence.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee, implement, and evaluate annual marketing and communications plans that include earned, owned, and paid media, including, but not limited to, social media, print and digital content, and email marketing.
• Ensure that brand identity, messaging, and marketing and communications strategy are infused in all organizational efforts (e.g., programming, development, partner network support).
• Oversee marketing and communication campaigns related to Art Bridges programs, strategic initiatives, and special events.
• Lead content strategy development and implementation.
• Oversee the development, design, distribution, and maintenance of high-quality print and digital collateral, presentations, newsletters, and others.
• Lead the strategy for engaging digital content for Art Bridges' website, social media, and email channels.
• Manage agency partners to ensure strategic alignment with all press and public relations, including proactive story pitching.
• Identify trends, monitor current events and influencers to anticipate opportunities for Art Bridges to engage in and/or lead national conversations related to its mission.

Partner Relations

• Support partner onboarding and engagement strategies that expand institutional relationships and align with Art Bridges' broader mission.
• Use CRM and internal systems to generate actionable insights on partner needs and opportunities.
• Oversee partner relations team operations and strategic initiatives to improve partner experience.
• Occasionally represent Art Bridges at public and media events.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary, high-performing team fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and growth.
• Promote continuous improvement, professional development, and collaboration within your team to drive results and support organization priorities.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new team members to ensure alignment with organization standards and practices.
• Monitor and manage team performance, addressing attendance, conduct, or productivity issues promptly and professionally.
• Encourage employee engagement and morale through recognition and open communication practices.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related discipline.
• 8–10+ years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, or public engagement, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies across earned, owned, and paid media.
• Experience collaborating with media and PR agencies and managing campaigns at the national level.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit or cultural institutions, with a passion for increasing access to American art.
• Proven ability to manage and mentor teams, coordinate cross-functional projects, and align messaging across diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives for a variety of audiences.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities in high-pressure environments, orchestrate multiple activities, and coordinate across diverse teams for optimal efficiency.
• Excellent decision-making and critical thinking skills with the agility to adapt in a fast-paced, innovative environment where change is constant.
• Familiarity with CRM platforms (Salesforce preferred), email marketing systems, and analytics tools.
• Highly organized with excellent management skills and a clear, proactive communication style.
• Mission-driven, collaborative, and adaptable leader with a strategic mindset and strong relationship instincts.
• High level of professional integrity and the ability to handle sensitive issues and situations with discretion
• Willingness and ability to travel nationally as required.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Physical Demands: In the work environment described, position requires utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time and good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching, and physical stamina to lift and transport a minimum of 10 pounds. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.

Work Environment: Work is performed full-time (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) in a professional, climate-controlled office environment with standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones. This role requires working in an open setting near colleagues. The noise level is typically low to moderate. The role also requires regular interaction with both the public and internal team members in a professional and courteous manner. Some travel will be required, including overnight trips on occasion. A flexible schedule may be necessary to accommodate business needs, including occasional evening and weekend work hours.

At Art Bridges, diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are central to all work and decisions made within our organization. We support our colleagues and partners in learning and growing together to make this important work part of our daily lives.

Art Bridges is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants including 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, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.