Description

ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART

As the first museum to focus exclusively on storytelling through images, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art believes that visual storytelling can connect us and help shape a more just society. With a growing collection that encompasses artworks from across cultures, places, times, and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, murals, photography, comic art, book and magazine illustrations, and the arts of filmmaking, the Lucas Museum will explore narrative art’s potential to prompt questions, invite opinions, inspire community, and move people to think about the impact of images on our world.

Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson and led by director and CEO Sandra Jackson-Dumont, the Lucas Museum was designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec as executive architect and is under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park. An 11-acre campus with extensive new green space designed by Studio-MLA will embrace the museum’s 300,000-square-foot building, which will feature expansive galleries, two state-of-the-art theaters, and dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, dining, retail, and events. www.lucasmuseum.org .

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art seeks an experienced, innovative, ambitious, and creative Deputy Director of External Affairs to serve as an essential member of its senior leadership team. This role will oversee the strategic vision for marketing and communications/public relations, development and fundraising, special events and membership, design, and editorial/publications.

This essential role will serve as the museum’s key strategic storyteller in building an institution dedicated to stories. The Deputy Director of External Affairs will lead the Lucas Museum’s strategic development by making important branding, marketing, operational, and positioning decisions in support of the museum’s mission, vision, and values, as well as financial health. The successful candidate will be energized and inspired by the robust opportunities in front of the Lucas Museum at this moment.

The Deputy Director of External Affairs must have a keen ability to lead others to collaborative, spirited success. They will partner with the Director and CEO, Board of Directors, executive team, and other colleagues to infuse the museum’s brand and mission into every aspect of the institutiondriving attendance, access, and awareness across communities and audiences. The role unites all marketing and communication efforts and leads the development and execution of a brand that allows the museum to dynamically and effectively communicate its impact internally and externally. To achieve this, the Deputy Director will provide leadership, strategic direction, and managerial oversight for various departments including Marketing and Communications, Design, Development (including Special Events and Membership), and Publications and Editorial.

Further, the position will be responsible for architecting the planning and launch of the opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. To achieve this mandate successfully, the Deputy Director will integrate across all departments and manage the external consulting team responsible for every aspect of the launch.

PRINCIPAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Deputy Director for External Affairs oversees policy, strategy, and execution of the Lucas Museum’s brand development, design, positioning, and marketing. Each department the Deputy oversees is key to how the museum vision and brand manifest in the world:

Marketing and Communications

Guides the strategy and implementation for all communications, marketing, public relations, and collateral materials to communicate the museum’s mission, vision, and values and drive attendance, revenue, and public awareness. Collaborates externally with communities, media, and external partners and colleagues.

Design

Leads the design direction of the museum, bringing to life the brand strategy and visual identity across programs, exhibitions, visitor experience, retail, development, membership, publications, and communications visuallyin print and online.

Development

Diversifies funding streams and builds of a loyal base of donors to ensure the museum’s long-term growth in earned revenue and contributed income from individuals, foundations, and corporations. This department includes the museum’s special events and membership programs.

Publications and Editorial

Sets and implements the strategic direction of the museum’s publications program. Working across printed and digital formats, this department directs the planning, preparation, production, and publication of the museum’s books, catalogues, exhibition materials, and other educational and interpretive content, in addition to collaborating cross-departmentally on other editorial content.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Deputy Director, External Affairs will design and build the most effective team to lead these multiple strands. This executive will manage day-to-day operations of the External Affairs portfolio.

The Deputy Director, External Affairs will:

• Develop and help drive overarching long-range, annual, and project-based brand, marketing, and communications initiatives that position voices within the context of thought leadership in the field
• Build the financial capacity of the museum through evidence-based, impact-driven strategies, rooted in empirical data, that result in bottom-line results for audience and donor development
• Manage the design studio of the Lucas Museum, ensuring that design and overall brand management complement each other harmoniously and are consistent with the ethos and values of the institution
• Oversee the design and launch of the museum’s website
• Develop and help drive overarching long-range, annual, and project-based strategic and tactical fund development plans for individual and institutional partners
• Lead the launch of the opening of the Lucas Museum
• Proactively anticipate external challenges and manage calmly and decisively through them
• Oversee the special events program and ensure the success of key events, inclusive of a robust facilities rental program
• Lead and/or participate in major fund development while calibrating the opportunities and needs for engaging the CEO/Director, members of the Board, curators, educators, and other content specialists
• Oversee all technology-related systems within the scope of External Affairs and work in consonance with the Technology team on CRM, ticketing, gift processing, and website systems
• Strategically position, manage, and amplify the museum’s reputation and brand both competitively and collaboratively within the field and in the public realm

• Build relationships externally that advance press, government, and community engagement partnerships
• Establish and enforce standards and systems for institutional style guides in support of a unified institutional brand
• Collaborate with consultants who may be engaged to develop strategic initiatives and plans, while amplifying and leveraging their recommendations in the day-to-day work of the portfolio
• Build internal relationships across the museum to allow for effective partnerships between External Affairs and program portfolios (Curatorial, Public Engagement, and Social Impact), as well as with other departments, to progress strategic fund development and marketing goals

Qualifications

Candidate Profile

Interested candidates should have at least 10 to 12 years of experience in increasingly senior roles, with a demonstrated track record of success leading teams within complex organizations. A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in a relevant field is a plus.

People-Centric Leadership

A track record of managing and taking care of people on their team and leading their group in an imaginative way. An engaged coach and mentor, the Deputy Director will encourage input and value engagement from team members. High emotional intelligence (EQ) is required to oversee a diverse team, offering thoughtful and constructive criticism to improve performance and inspiring and motivating the team to do their best work, particularly during times of great activity and high expectations.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

High level of interest in creating the new and comfort with throwing tradition out the window. Able to build a structure within a rapidly growing organization, expanding the team and its functions to meet the evolving needs of the institution as it moves from concept to the concrete. High tolerance for ambiguity, able to make decisions even when all the information typically needed isn’t available.

Multifaceted Communicator

Able to craft a clear message or set of messages, tailoring it as needed for varying contexts and audiences. Effective at writing and presenting information in a manner that is consistent, articulate, and transparent. Able to be an outward-facing representative for the organization while also supporting others on the team in how they present themselves and their ideas.

Aesthetic and Design Sensibility

Strong sense of style, able to define and articulate parameters for the distinct look and feel for an institution’s visual identity in a wide range of contexts and mediaprint, digital, exhibition design, site signage/wayfinding, etc.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:

• An inclusive leadership style that supports and advances diversity, equity, inclusion, and access
• A flexible mindset and emotional agility to manage during times of great demand; and
• A healthy sense of humor

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.

MISSION AND VISION

We are a museum dedicated to the art of storytelling. Through visual storytelling the Lucas Museum expands the role of art and museums for society. The Museum inspires thought provoking ideas and conversations that are relevant within and beyond geographic boundaries. Our work radiates to catalyze more connected and empathetic spaces. The art of storytelling connects us to shape a more just society.

VALUES

Our internal and external practice is shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.

PEOPLE FIRST
We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what people find meaningful, to works of art and the work of our organization.

INSPIRED
We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.

COLLABORATIVE
We believe that nimble thinking and working together yields exponential results.

BRAVE
We approach our work and learning with courage, creativity, curiosity, and a sense of adventure.

4 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

ART
Amplify the social impact of Narrative Art through an approach that bridges the academic and the popular.

COMMUNITY
Connect to a broad and diverse public by create an institution rooted in impactful, respectful, sustainable relationships.

INCLUSION
Practice diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging in all operational and programmatic aspects of our work.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Create a healthy and durable institution equipped to fulfill its vision and public mandate.

All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).

Pursuant to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the museum requires all new hires to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical and/or religious exemption. Upon hire, all new hires will receive detailed instructions on complying with this policy. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.