Marketing and Communications Manager

TO BE CONSIDERED APPLY DIRECTLY AT https://honolulumu​seum.org/employment/

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm. Some evenings and weekends.

 

Job Summary:

The Honolulu Museum of Art is on a journey of transformation as it continues to define how a 21st-century museum best serves its community. The Marketing and Communications Manager (MCM) will be a vital member of management staff who will assist HoMA in these efforts.

The Marketing and Communications Manager, reporting directly to the Chief Communications Officer, is responsible for the development and execution of all marketing and communications activities for the Honolulu Museum of Art, including media relations, advertising, digital content, social media, and audience development efforts. The Marketing and Communications Manager is creative, collaborative, and forward thinking and provides strategic vision and operational expertise and skills to achieve excellence in all things marketing and communications.

The MCM conceives and implements dynamic and innovative marketing and communications strategies that effectively attract and increase a diverse audience for the museum, its exhibitions, and its public programming. Positioned at the nexus of popular culture and kama‘aina tradition, HoMA appeals to a wide and inclusive audience. The MCM will have experience in engaging broad groups of people through a variety of closely tracked channels and will lead the team that includes the Communications Specialist and work collaboratively with the Director of Strategic Partnerships.

The MCM will include approaches outside of the box of conventional cultural marketing, reaching across digital and traditional platforms, and continue to establish an exciting and enduring local, national and international identity for the museum as an inspirational, inclusive and premier cultural destination.

The MCM will understand the importance of meeting this transformative moment in the global sector in the run-up to the museum’s centennial in 2027.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Journalism, English, or related area of study.
• Five years of experience in a media-related field such as public relations, journalism, advertising, or nonprofit communications.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Recent record of successful and innovative marketing campaigns.
• Knowledge of PR and advertising, branding, website tracking and metrics, social media, videography and photography, email marketing and communications, CRM database, SEO, mobile engagement platforms, e-commerce, including website optimization, email acquisition strategies, and customer conversion.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing effective social media marketing strategies.
• Proven ability to execute marketing and communications strategy.
• Advanced knowledge of social media platforms and social-media-supporting apps and programs.
• Background in video production and photography.
• Must be able to travel to multiple locations and possess a current driver’s license.
• Honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, perspective, and a strong work ethic supported by commitment and follow-through.
• Ability to work within and support a diverse community of visitors, artists, and employees.
• Ability to build, lead, and develop a driven, diverse team of employees.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills and ability to multitask and produce accurate materials under deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with various departments and teams across HoMA.

Desired Qualifications:

• Previous marketing and/or work experience within a museum, non-profit, or other visual arts organization.
• Knowledge of art, art history, and local art scene.
• Experience in copyediting and proofreading.
• Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects, and Audition.
• Familiarity with Tessitura CRM system.

Essential Duties:

Strategic Marketing and Communications

• Works in collaboration with the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) to create and implement a communications and marketing strategy that aligns with HoMA’s goals and priorities to maximize audience awareness of the museum and its programs.
• Develops and supports the communications strategy and messaging for major Museum initiatives, such as exhibitions, events, programs, membership drives, capital campaigns, facility projects, or advocacy efforts.
• Creates pathways for the museum to connect with broader media to reflect HoMA’s brand and presence outside of the conventional art world and reach underserved audiences.
• Brings analytic depth and strategic maturity to the marketing and communications functions at HoMA.
• Develops and implements integrated marketing plans for exhibitions, public programs, events and e-commerce.
• Oversees the Communications Specialist and jointly craft a holistic, top-performing social media strategy engaging audiences across ages, locations, identities, and the spectrum of exposure levels to contemporary art.
• Oversees development of copy and creative material for marketing campaigns, including printed collateral and related photography and videography.
• Oversees all media buys and promotional partnerships.
• Oversees the website, email communications, and mobile engagement platforms.
• Partners with the CCO, COO, and other members of senior leadership team to refine and strengthen the museum’s brand.
• Develops and maintains close working relationships with media partners and internal colleagues to extend and amplify the museum’s promotional strategy. This includes identifying and recommending cost-effective advertising opportunities, and the negotiation of rates and partnerships.

Lead Public Relations and Communications Efforts

• Creates and manages media relations and public information strategies on local, national, and international levels.
• Assists CCO in management of outside public relations consultants as needed to achieve maximum value and results.
• Executes production of all media relations efforts; releases, alerts, interviews, pitches, and manages all press previews and other media events with the help of the Communications Specialist.
• Pitches and follows up on press coverage, including managing on-site media visits and shoots. Acts as a spokesperson for HoMA and media relations liaison during press previews and visits.
• Working with HoMA leadership, supports risk management communications for the institution, serving as point of contact for inquiries and drafting talking points for internal stakeholders.
• Develops talking points for exhibitions and institutional positioning.
• Aligns messaging with the Museum’s commitment to community engagement, diversity, inclusion, equity, and access, while also supporting the sustainability of the institution.
• Writes, edits, and submits event and exhibition listings to outlets for online and print publication.
• Maintains and updates database of media contacts.
• Cultivates relationships with key influencers in the field to cover special events, programs, and exhibitions.
• Monitors trends and best practices in the field, including media research to grow outreach lists and build new relationships.
• Contributes to cross-department messaging strategy, including content planning for social media, website, eNews, etc.
• Partners with Web, Advancement, and IT teams to drive content for key web pages, including Homepage, Exhibitions, Visit, Ticketing, and more as needed.
• Partners with internal colleagues to ensure funding and sponsor recognition is properly attributed.
• Coordinates contracted and staff photographers for event coverage and press images for major programs.

Oversee Audience and Institutional Research

• Partners across teams, including Visitor Engagement and IT, to evaluate and refine systems for tracking attendance, visitor satisfaction, and visitor surveying and reports to leadership with recommendations.
• Oversees collection and analysis of audience research, including oversight of hired audience research professionals and the planning, execution and interpretation of audience surveys.
• Creates presentations from the data.
• Monitors and supports language for purchasing pathways, ensuring optimal user experience and understanding.
• Demonstrates a commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion through respectful communication and cooperation with others at all times, continuous training and modeling inclusive behaviors.
• In partnership with HR, supports the leadership team in ensuring equitable experiences, strengthening inclusion acumen, and promoting a culture of inclusivity and belonging that embraces the contributions of all staff.
• Other duties as assigned.