Head of External Relations [Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg, AZ]

Description

1. Function of Position

The Museum’s Head of External Relations is responsible for attracting, welcoming, retaining, and increasing volunteers, visitors and customers from around the city, state, country, and world, through outreach to the media, the public, the area’s many communities, and government offices and officials. The following areas are under his/her leadership with assistance from three staff who he/she supervises:

25% Volunteer Program

Provides strategic management of the Museum’s corps of 100+ active volunteers. Works with all Museum staff to determine best use of volunteer support, carries out recruitment efforts, creates and updates job descriptions, interviews potential volunteers, works with the Curator of Education to train new and existing volunteers, evaluates performance, provides ongoing feedback and determines when a volunteer’s service is no longer required. Oversees recognition events and field trips for the group.

20% Retail Oversight

Provides strategic management of the retail program for two Museum Stores. The Museum follows the standards set forth by the Museum Store Association in creating and selling unique education products that extend the visitor experience beyond the Museum. External Relations works closely with Curatorial and Education staff to create custom products while also securing other items to carry.

15% Visitor Services

Oversees the Museum’s admissions, visitor information, visitor research, attendance projection, and tourism outreach. Works closely with curatorial and education staff in editing, updating, and distributing Museum maps and installing directional signage within the Museum to assist visitors. Provides yearly visitor projections as part of the annual budget process.

15% Communications and Marketing

Leads strategy and implementation to market the institution and its programs through continuous, expert outreach to traditional press and new media alike, by organizing exhibition press previews, Museum wide announcements; writing and distributing media kits and press releases; news articles for print and online; creating promotions; and building and maintaining crucial relationships between Museum leadership and media. Markets and advertises the Museum’s schedule in print and online. Responsible for the Museum website and social media. Promotes and manages revenue- and publicity-generating activities including Museum Retail.

15% Special Events

Acts as point person for the staff for coordinating events such as Member events, exhibition openings, lectures, book signings and local events and festivals. Includes all aspect of budgeting, scheduling and executing events of various sizes and styles.

10% Internal Communications

Through oversight of the monthly publication of Museum eblasts and Volunteer newsletters and occasional all-staff communications, provides information about key programs and issues for the staff and volunteer community. Assists with creation, editing and publishing print publications, such as the Program Calendar and catalogs.

To apply please submit a cover letter and resume to Sandra Harris, Executive Director at director@westernmuseum.org. Interviews will begin as soon as qualified applicants are identified.

EEO Statement

Desert Caballeros Western Museum is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Requirements

               A.  Education

1. Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.

              B.  Work Experience

                     1.   Five years specializing in at least one of the areas of responsibility

                     2.   Experience in volunteer managemen

3.   Experience in guiding the brand of an organization

4.   Understanding of retail practices

5.    Supervisory experience

6.    Budget development and tracking experience

C.  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

                      1.  Stellar interpersonal skills. Must have the ability to effectively interact with internal and external customers of all backgrounds.

2.  Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

3.  Fully proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

4.  Ability to handle multiple time sensitive tasks with accuracy.

5.  Self motivated.

6.  High level of integrity.

7.  Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.

8.  Experience with scheduling software, desktop publishing, and on-line content development.

9. Familiarity with QuickBooks a plus.

D. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

1. Valid driver’s license.

2. Pass a criminal background check.

                  E.  Working Conditions

Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Extended hours and weekends probable.  Office environment                       with a low to moderate noise level.  Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.  Some local travel required.