The Speed Art Museum has an exciting opportunity for a Director of Communications and Marketing. This position is part of a dynamic team of professionals, managing several direct reports, and is responsible for the oversight and planning of all the Museum’s external communications, creatively promoting Speed’s brand and reputation throughout the region and internationally, and attracting diverse audiences to the Museum’s wide array of exhibitions, programs, and activities on- and offsite. As a member of the Senior Leadership team, the Director of Communication and Marketing reports to Leadership Team Member and collaborates closely with the Director and other Senior Leadership team members to advance the Museum’s mission. This role is essential in maintaining the Speed’s existing audiences while cultivating new visitors reflective of Louisville’s diverse, intergenerational community, and those of regional markets and shares responsibility for achievement of admissions and other revenue goals.
With a new strategic plan for the Speed that centers inclusion and belonging around the pillars of art for all, organizational excellence, and financial strength, the new Director of Communication and Marketing has the opportunity to help interpret our new plan to our myriad constituencies and help position the institution ahead of the completion of the new Speed Art Park and the Museum’s Centennial celebration in 2027.
FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000 annually
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Visionary: Develop and execute a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy aligned with the new strategic plan. Lead the charge in positioning our brand as a leader in the industry and driving market penetration. Drive the Museum’s proactive internal and external communications and media relations strategy
Compelling Storyteller: Craft captivating narratives that resonate with our target audiences across various owned channels, including digital, social media, print, and events. Assist with the development of a new website (currently in process). Bring our brand story to life through compelling content and messaging that inspires action and engagement. Develop and/or edit press materials to ensure consistency of institutional voice and messages and strategic positioning.
Brand Stewardship: Collaborate with external vendors in the development of campus-wide wayfinding and ensure that institutional marketing consistently reflects the Speed brand in support of the new strategic plan. Serve as the guardian of our brand identity and voice, ensuring consistency and alignment across all communications and marketing materials. Drive a new brand expression through creative and innovative campaigns and initiatives.
Audience Engagement: Deepen relationships with existing stakeholders while expanding our reach to new audiences. Develop strategies to engage guests, partners, and influencers through targeted communication efforts and community-building initiatives.
Data-Driven Insights: Utilize data analytics and market research to inform decision-making and optimize marketing performance. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track the effectiveness of campaigns and drive continuous improvement.
Collaborative Leadership: Lead and inspire a high-performing communications and marketing team, fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging, creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Provide guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to team members to unlock their full potential.
Timely Opportunities: Leverage existing moments to connect with audiences and conceptualize new ones as needed to evolve the Speed’s Communications and Marketing practices with audience needs and demands. Manage external PR partners and work with the curatorial and leadership teams to ensure timely development of materials to allow for proactive and reactive media relations strategies, allowing the Speed to capitalize on opportunities for earned media and reputation growth.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Arts related or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in developing and executing a full-scale marketing plan, including budget oversight.
• Proven record of success in communications and marketing roles, with at least 8-10 years of experience in a leadership capacity.
• Excellent writing and marketing communications skills.
• Experience in working with and/or managing external vendors and partners.
• Experience with media buying and negotiating media partnerships.
• Experience in promotion and/or public relations.
• Experience in a mission based or non-profit organization preferred.
Essential Skills:
• Understanding of and experience with strategy for social media platforms and tools (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Hootsuite),
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, CRM systems and fundraising databases
• Strong storytelling abilities and a knack for creating compelling content across various channels and formats.
• Understanding of both earned and paid media strategies and the ability to leverage relationships and resources to achieve institutional goals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and analytical skills to provide project evaluations and assessment of results.
• Experience with calibrating messages to reach different stakeholders (internal and external communications).
• Ability to make decisions, plan, organize, and manage under pressure. Strong critical thinking skills, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and measurable results.
• Knowledge of Museum Ethics, published by the American Association of Museums, and Professional Practices in Art Museums, published by the Association of Art Museum Director.
• Interest in, familiarity with, and fluency in communicating about art.
• Flexible schedule, including evening and weekend availability.
• Supports and facilitates positive interaction with others by exhibiting individual maturity, respect for others, a team-centered approach, maintenance of confidential information, and an awareness and sensitivity to cultural and other differences in our staff, board members, contributors, volunteers, and the public.
• Must be a motivated initiative-taker, able to work proactively with little supervision, show attention to detail, and possess excellent organizational skills. Ability to work accurately and efficiently and keep track of numerous projects simultaneously.
• Presents a professional image in work attire and demeanor.
• Ability to function independently and adapt flexibly to rapid-response scenarios and changing priorities.
Supervisory Responsibility
• Associate Director of Marketing and Communications
• Marketing and Communications Coordinator
• Graphic Designers
Work Environment
• Able to adapt to and work from various locations so the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Willing, as necessary, to work beyond normal working hours, on weekends, and remain accessible when away from the Museum so the requirements of this position can be fully met.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to complete the following tasks with/without reasonable accommodations so the requirements of this position can be fully met:
• Extensive use of telephone and computer throughout the workday.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position during the workday. May reach, walk, climb, and lift occasionally.
• Communicates using English language.
• Sees and hears or uses prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Ability to access merchandise, materials and supplies as needed.
DISCLAIMER: The above job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position and in no way is to be construed as a contract. As with all positions at the Speed Art Museum employment is “at will” on both the part of the organization and the employee. Employment is not for a set period and may be discontinued by either party for any reason with or without notice.
The Speed Art Museum prohibits discrimination in employment, programs, and activities based on race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preference. The Speed Art Museum also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to museum facilities.