Art Museum Public Relations Director [Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum, MSU]

Posted October 8, 2014

The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University seeks a dynamic and experienced public relations director. With the opening in 2012 of its world-class museum, designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Zaha Hadid, Michigan State has emerged as one of a handful of university museums devoted to international contemporary art.

The director of public relations will join an energetic and professional group, led by the founding director, that develops and implements exhibitions and commissions of international scope. This is an extraordinary opportunity to be a key player in the creation of a new museum of contemporary art. The Broad Art Museum at MSU is unique among contemporary museums in that it possesses a historical collection dating back to Greek and Roman art. The museum’s exhibition program will actively engage dialogues across the centuries with the benefit of this historical collection.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of having created and implemented an overall communications and marketing strategy that successfully promotes the mission of an art museum. The director of public relations will be responsible for developing and maintaining institutional marketing programs, communications, and public relations initiatives for audience building and revenue generation.

Job Responsibilities:

• Define and implement the Broad Art Museum’s communications strategy to increase public awareness and promote the programs and activities of the museum through a variety of worldwide media outreach activities.
• Promote the museum’s programs to a targeted regional and international press corps with a view toward maximizing visitation to the museum.
• Work with the university’s central communications team to ensure consistency and brand alignment in messaging throughout all museum communications materials.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the museum’s target media, pitch and manage stories, answer media inquiries, and manage media visits and appearances, including providing in-depth guided tours.
• Develop strategic marketing strategy, including digital, for exhibitions, public programs, and membership campaigns.
• Write press materials, maintain the online pressroom, and distribute press releases, as well as ensure the museum’s media database is up to date and appropriately targeted.
• Write and edit a variety of content, including marketing collateral copy, website copy, social media posts, and e-mail copy.
• Monitor the media and the web for relevant stories about the museum and related fields, provide internal clip reports, and share relevant stories with museum followers online.
• Oversee website content and supervise the day-to-day entry of content, as well as manage, develop, and implement content for social media.
• Review all designed print pieces and submitted digital copy to ensure quality and consistency in voice and to maintain consistency in wording, branding, and messaging across all communications.
• Oversee the development and production of all print and digital marketing collateral and advertising materials. Conduct visitor and market surveys to assess public opinion of the museum to inform the ongoing communications strategy and assist other departments in shaping programs accordingly.
• Actively seek public relations opportunities for the museum.

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field required. Minimum five years of experience in communications and writing, with strong focus on digital communications. Experience working in a museum or cultural organization preferred. Strong writing and editing experience and skill, with the ability to maintain appropriate voice for difference audiences and to write about art in an articulate but accessible way. Experience in developing and executing integrated marketing/advertising plans that are brand aligned and aid in increasing awareness, attendance, and revenue. Experience working on website content development and management and maintaining and creating content for social media channels and blogs. Experience working with the media and ability to work effectively and professionally with people of all levels. Very strong interpersonal skills to work positively and proactively across the museum in meeting deadlines. Some weekend and evening work may be required. Must be able to travel out of town as needed.

Qualified applicants must submit an application and resume through the Michigan State University Human Resources web-based system (MAP). The URL for this website is https://jobs.msu.edu the posting number is 0239.