BACKGROUND
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is the vibrant home to over 350,000 visitors a year from all segments of the NYC community and tourists from around the world. On the vanguard of children’s museums, CMOM is recognized nationally for its leadership and innovative exhibits and programs. The museum’s educational mission in early childhood education, creativity, health and world cultures thrives within our home on West 83rd Street, in dozens of NYC communities, and through national initiatives with leading authorities and government agencies. Child development is at the core of CMOM’s values and mission and our vision is to be the bridge that connects children and adults in the community, school and home in order to prepare our children for the global world within which they live. Each year, CMOM serves 30,000 children who visit CMOM as part of a school group and more than 34,000 children served through offsite outreach programs.

Today, CMOM is at an important crossroads. Since its beginnings as a grassroots organization, CMOM has grown dramatically in size, scope, and impact. Fulfilling our mission, driving growth, and taking the museum to the next level are institutional priorities.

POSITION OVERVIEW
CMOM seeks an experienced communications professional to develop and execute an integrated plan to communicate CMOM’s vision and impact, to raise CMOM’s profile, and to support a drive to increase earned and contributed revenue streams. Key communications constituencies include the private philanthropic community, the visitor and membership base (current and future), media, and the government sector. This position serves as a member of the senior management team.

A successful Director will establish strategies, integrate communications priorities with institutional goals, create effective and efficient systems, evaluate outcomes, and redirect action when needed. This position is for a seasoned professional with vision and proven ability to build a team, create a durable infrastructure, and establish an effective strategy. A successful candidate will thrive in a hands-on/roll-up-your-sleeves atmosphere and be an entrepreneurial spirit in a fast-paced environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

● In concert with key board and staff, develop consensus and integrated institutional strategy in order to produce visibility and presence among the key communications constituencies
● Work with board and staff to develop and execute the communications function to support increased revenue streams and heightened visibility
● Provide senior-level counsel for institutional messaging and program/exhibit-specific messaging
● Develop a consistent, integrated, museum-wide process to increase communications efficiency, build the brand, and produce business results
● Lead the development of an engaged digital community
● Develop, design, and deploy communications vehicles/tools
● Partner with external marketing and communications agencies and vendors on an ongoing and ad hoc basis, including PR, branding, social media, and strategic partners
● Lead and/or support content production for press releases, media advisories, and collateral materials
● Serve as the museum’s representative to media and other outlets
● In collaboration with the Director of Development, serve as liaison to the Board of Directors Development and Marketing Committee
● Work collaboratively with the Development Department and outside fundraising counsel to support and advance goals
● Manage an external communications firm that has been selected to undertake a communications assessment
● Seek out, secure, and oversee advertising and marketing partnerships to maximize museum visibility and complement communication messages
● Create and implement quantitative evaluation techniques to track effectiveness of communications initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS
● Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree strongly preferred (MA, MS)
● Minimum of seven years communications and media relations experience, with increasing levels of responsibility and experience in a senior staff capacity
● Nonprofit experience is beneficial, but not essential
● A strong track record of positioning organizations to achieve tangible outcomes in a competitive communications environment
● Excellent written and oral communication skills with a proven ability to communicate with and write for diverse audiences and translate complex initiatives into materials and products that effectively communicate CMOM’s core values and goals
● Proficiency with digital marketing, social media and other emerging communications vehicles
● Mastery of analytical and presentation skills
● Experienced in budget management and development
● Ability to coach and support senior leadership as spokespersons
● Well organized, detail oriented and capable of advancing multiple projects simultaneously

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
The ideal candidate has exceptional independent judgment, creativity and flexibility. S/he:

● Thrives in a fast paced, creative, team-based environment
● Sees possibilities as opposed to the obstacles, is tenacious in solving problems and results-oriented
● Has a strong work ethic and high standards for his/her own work and the work of others
● Is clear, succinct and positive in verbal communication; an enthusiastic and engaging spokesperson; and professional in communications with media contacts, board members, donors and current and prospective members
● Ability to be diplomatic and flexible when circumstances require
● Has a lively sense of humor

Candidates of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and races encouraged to apply by visiting https://childrens-museum-of-manhattan.workable.com/j/11EAA5AC1F to send a resume and cover letter, with salary requirements, and the name of the site where you saw this announcement. Applications without thoughtful cover letters will not be considered. Only those applicants who best match the position needs will be contacted.

No phone inquiries, please.

A competitive salary and benefits package will be offered.