Marketing and Communications Director

Description

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts) believes in celebrating and supporting the creative life of all people through art-making, exhibitions and community programs. They have been living out their vision – “Art for everybody! Creativity for life!” – for 60 years and have helped more than 40,000 individuals find and unlock their creative self. Each year, VisArts offers more than 1,000 visual and creative arts classes in clay, wood, fiber, painting, photography, printmaking, glass, metal, drawing, writing, decorative arts and other visual media. They are currently looking for their next Marketing and Communications Director to help increase their reach and influence within RVA.

The Marketing and Communications Director is a leader of the marketing team, working closely with other departments and staff to help the organization serve their mission and reach annual goals while reporting to the Executive Director. They are responsible for implementing a marketing and communications plan that supports the organization’s annual goals and budget. This position will serve as a leader on the staff, working collaboratively and proactively to ensure VisArts story is shared, and programs and events receive the support needed to succeed.

Job Duties

Essential Functions
1. Works with Executive Director and other departments to review and determine marketing priorities and processes, allocating budget and time accordingly.

2. Acts as a member of staff leadership, working with other directors to set strategic priorities for the organization and make key decisions for the organization.

3. Leads department staff as well as interns and work study students.

4. Manages department project timelines, looking ahead to anticipate needs and meeting with staff across departments.

5. Serves as the staff liaison for the Marketing Committee for the board of directors, meeting quarterly, reviewing marketing plans and goals. Leading efforts to make strategic marketing partnerships to reach new communities, with a priority on new audiences and historically marginalized communities.

6. Promotes VisArts’ exhibitions, events, and education programs by writing and implementing specific marketing plans for each. Measures the effectiveness of all marketing and communications activities. Conducts primary and secondary market research as needed.
7. Runs the organization’s public relations activities—maintains a media list, issues news releases, actively pitches stories to the media, responds to media inquiries and provides talking points to the executive director and any other staff who serve as spokespeople for the organization.

8. Collaborates with development staff to produce annual appeals, sponsorship proposals, membership solicitations and other communications that support fundraising efforts.

9. Develops and implements VisArts’ social media strategy. Current platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vimeo. Evaluates new platforms as they come online and determines applicability for VisArts.

10. Supports the committees of the board as well as the Marketing Chair and committee by organizing regular marketing committee meetings and supplying monthly reports. Is a standing member of all event committees.

11. Ensures consistent, effective and thorough implementation of the organization’s brand standards. Maintains an editorial style guide for the organization and educates staff and contractors about best practices.

Skills Required

Key Attributes for Success
• Professionalism
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Job Mastery and Continuous Learning
• Leadership

Qualifications for the Position
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, marketing or comparable discipline.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Familiarity with AP Style.
• Familiarity with social media best practices.
• A portfolio of writing samples, at least some of which are journalistic in nature.

Preferred Qualifications
• 3-5 years work experience.
• Some background and/or interest in the arts.
• Experience managing a website in a content management system.
• Experience with the Adobe Creative Suite.

Additional Info

Compensation Package Includes
• Starting salary of $65-$68k
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 403 (b) investment program
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) allowance

EEO / AA Statement
Visual Arts of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Visual Arts of Richmond complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.