Position Title: Director, Marketing & Communications

Reporting to:Senior Director of Strategy, Finance, and Operations

Location: Bentonville, AR

About the position

The Director of Marketing & Communications is responsible for planning, development, and implementation of Art Bridges marketing strategies, communications, and public relations activities, both external and internal. The Director of Marketing & Communications directs the efforts of the marketing, social media, content creation and graphic design staff and coordinates at the strategic and tactical levels with the other functions of the foundation in an effort to increase Art Bridges awareness and partnerships nationally. Additionally, the Director of Marketing & Communications supports and collaborates with marketing & communications teams at partner museums to develop strategies that ensure Art Bridges projects and programs and the partner museum receive appropriate press and PR.

The Director of Marketing & Communications ties all marketing activity back to organizational goals and keeps the big picture in focus. As a member of the management team, the Director of Marketing & Communications will be involved in organization-wide strategic and business planning, evaluation, and professional development initiatives. In addition, the Director of Marketing & Communications will work closely with the communications team at Art & Wellness Enterprises, the organization the provides operational support for non-profits that are part of Alice L. Walton’s philanthropic enterprise. The position reports to the Senior Director of Strategy, Finance, and Operations.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Management

● Leads development and implements Art Bridges’ Marketing & Communications plan and ensures adherence to the goals and brand outlined therein.

● Responsible for the achievement of the goals and objectives of the Marketing & Communications Plan. Ensure that evaluation systems are in place related to these goals and objects, and report progress to the CEO and Board.

● Ensure that the appropriate systems, staffing, and procedures are in place to properly and reasonably support marketing and communications.

● Works closely with program staff to design and implement communications strategies and effective messaging for organizational and project-specific goals.

● Works with the Senior Director of Strategy, Finance and Operations, as well as the AWE Finance team to develop annual budgets for Marketing & Communications, and monitor progress, assure adherence, and evaluate performance.

● Assists directors and program staff in ensuring our communications are culturally competent and reach diverse audiences.

● Manages some organizational partnerships that support organizational marketing and fundraising goals.

● Manage agency relationships.

● Manages Board Marketing and Communications Committee.

● Manages interns focused on communications/marketing.

Brand Management

● Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual marketing and communications plan that includes 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 (programming, development, network support).

● Develop, implement, and evaluate marketing campaigns related to programs, special events, and donor cultivation.

● Oversee content strategy development and implementation

● Oversee the development, design, distribution, and maintenance of high-quality print and electronic collateral including, but not limited to annual report, brochures, presentations, newsletters, and reports.

● Lead the strategy and generation of engaging digital content for Art Bridges’ website, social media and email channels that leads to measurable action.

● Manage all press and public relations, including proactive pitching

● Guide the strategy on press outreach, including messaging in press releases, creation of press kits and materials, interview preparation, and responses to media requests.

● Identify trends, monitor current events and influencers to anticipate opportunities for Art Bridges to engage in and/or lead the national conversation on sustainable urban regeneration.

● Assists membership and development staff with fundraising appeals and events.

● Occasionally edits grant proposals.

Outreach

● Occasionally represents Art Bridges at public events.

Attributes that support your success

● Outgoing and pro-active ‘sales’ mentality

● Excitement to promote Art Bridges and its mission

● Enthusiasm to contact and engage museum professionals around the country

● Eagerness to join a new organization that is evolving and poised to have a major impact on the museum field

● Ability to manage peers, senior leaders, and support staff to accomplish outreach efforts

● Results-oriented and passion for meeting goals

● A commitment and passion for the power of art to transform lives

● Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, including age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and lived experiences

● Positive attitude, collaborative spirit, and sense of humor

● Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to mediate diverse opinions to address shared needs

● High degrees of initiative and discretion

Qualifications and skills

● At least five to eight years of professional experience, including leading the communications, marketing, social media, and public relations activities of a high-growth organization

● Bachelor’s degree required, preferred in the areas of communications and marketing related field (e.g., marketing, business administration, management, advertising, journalism, and/or communications)

● Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience in the successful development and execution of marketing campaigns, communications, and public relations activities

● Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational, and personal skills, with the experience of managing multiple projects at a time

● Experience in leading communications/marketing professionals, and developing a high functioning team focused on creating dynamic communications efforts

● Excellent writing and editing skills

● Experience developing and implementing successful social media marketing strategies

● Proven track record in developing a broad spectrum of proactive media relations campaigns and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences

● Computer literacy in Microsoft Office required – SalesForce and Adobe Design Suite experience preferred

● Commitment to working with shared leadership and in cross-functional teams

● Strong oral and written communications skills

● Excellent people skills, with experience collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team

● Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies, and guiding investment in people and system

● Flexible and a self-starter; able to manage multiple concurrent projects while also being highly detail-oriented with an attention to quality

● Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to Art Bridges’ mission

Physical demands and work environment

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

Physical demands: Position requires utilizing a computer and telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, verbal, and written conversation with others, and lifting/carrying up to 10 lbs. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.

Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment full-time (Monday-Friday, 8AM-5PM.) The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate. Some overnight travel may be necessary.

Art Bridges and DEAI

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

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 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.

Contingencies

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement, background check, and verification of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.