American Folk Art Museum
Director of Communications and Marketing
The American Folk Art Museum is the premier institution devoted to the creative expressions of self-taught artists, past and present. Since 1961, the American Folk Art Museum has been shaping the understanding of art by the self-taught through its exhibitions, publications, communications, and educational programs. As a center of scholarship and by showcasing the creativity of individuals whose singular talents have been refined through experience rather than formal artistic training, the museum considers the historical, social, and artistic context of American culture.

Position Summary
The Director of Communications and Marketing is responsible for strategy, planning and implementation of Museum PR/media relations and marketing campaigns, internal and external communications programs, and initiatives to increase public understanding of the Museum’s mission and goals. He/she is responsible for strategic thinking and planning to attract a significant number of visitors annually, as well as to heighten awareness of the Museum nationally and internationally.

Primary to this is the maintenance and advancement of a consistent and positive institutional message and image. The position is responsible for proactively developing strategic opportunities for telling the American Folk Art Museum story among top-tier media – and in multiple channels including owned media; earned media; and social media. The Director of Communications and Marketing works in collaboration with curators, staff, and board members; reports to the Deputy Director of Administration and Development; and oversees a part-time Social Media Associate.

Principal Responsibilities

Public Relations
• Proactively direct and implement media coverage of the American Folk Art Museum exhibitions, programming and acquisitions in high-profile local, national and international media.
• Work closely and collaboratively with curators to develop accessible, meaningful, relevant, and compelling press releases to actively solicit unpaid-for editorial publicity in a wide variety of media including magazines, newspapers, websites, blogs, television, and also to select signature images from exhibitions to be used in editorial publicity and social media to reinforce the identity of an exhibition and be appealing to audiences.
• Serve as spokesperson, proactively represent the Museum among the journalistic community, and during press visits and events.
• Determine and adhere to schedules consistent with long-lead magazine production and shorter-term media including weekly magazines, weekly newspapers, daily newspapers, web magazines and web news outlets, and ensure that representatives with such media receive information in a timely manner to increase and maintain press coverage. 
• Maintain ongoing contact with a well-established group of reporters, and also develop new contacts, to keep them informed and ensure their knowledge of museum activities and other news.
• Ensure rapid-responses to journalists on deadline, facilitating inquiries and requests, and providing them with materials necessary for published reviews, features, articles, and news items in digital and actual media.
• Identify and maintain new contacts and new sources of unpaid-for editorial publicity among ever-evolving digital and real publications and news outlets. 
• Secure editorial publicity for all of the museum’s activities including exhibitions, some special events (especially the annual fund-raising benefit gala).
• Work collaboratively with outside press officers who promote the museum’s traveling exhibitions, publications, and other activities, including other museums with which AFAM partners, when necessary.

Marketing/Communications
• Develop, execute, and evaluate a marketing strategy to expand public access, develop new audiences and multiply messaging opportunities using a variety of creative resources including digital content such as blogs, social media, video, and other digitally based communications tools.
• Oversee social media strategy for each exhibition
• Oversee strategies for email communication (eblasts and enews)
• Work with website director, program director, and others, to carry core messages through the museum’s digital presentation; and carry that message through programs and program announcements. 
• Give input as to the institutional aesthetic vision and graphic identity, and oversee the production of collateral materials, advertising, promotional programs, institutional signage and digital products.
• Employ current marketing techniques, including print and electronic media advertising campaigns when fiscally available, Web-based promotional and sales techniques to specifically target and attract a variety of diverse audiences including the visual art community, families, and young adults.
• Create and assess metrics to gauge and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of media activities and prepare routine reports that detail these activities.
• Work collaboratively with Museum leadership and cross departmentally on initiatives, projects, and goals.
• Develop and maintain departmental budget.

Qualifications
Education, Training, and Skills:
• Bachelor’s degree in art, marketing, journalism, and related fields, from an accredited institution of higher education
• Academic training and/or specific work experience in public relations, marketing, or communications
• Exemplary written, verbal, and listening communication skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and professionally
• Ability to work independently and effectively; self-directed
• Collaborative and energetic
• A high level of professional integrity and the ability to handle sensitive issues and situations with discretion
• Knowledge of museum operations, the arts industry, and marketing—especially arts marketing—is important.

Work Experience:
• Eight or more years combined experience in arts-related communications, public relations, media relations or marketing
• Well-developed contacts with national and local editors and journalists in electronic and print media are preferred
• Proven success in the management and development of full-time staff

In regard to education and experience, an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience will satisfy the minimum requirements.


Application

To be considered for candidacy for this position, submit cover letter and resume to Elizabeth Kingman, Deputy Director for Administration and Development, at ekingman@folkartmuseum.org.

No phone calls please.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER