• Job Description

  Req#: 478373

  
  

  JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

  Director of Marketing and Communications Full-time

  The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH), founded in 1920, is located in the heart of University Circle, five miles east of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Considered among the top 10 institutions of its kind in North America, the Museum offers an incredible visitor experience, attracting roughly 275,000 visitors a year. There are more than 140 public education programs and over 80,000 students served annually. CMNH employs about 115 people. Building on its strong foundation of excellence in education and research, the Museum is poised to transform itself. CMNH will invite and engage a broader audience in the exploration of science and the natural world by revolutionizing the way it presents natural history. The Museum has currently launched a capital campaign to support a dramatic renovation and expansion of its facilities and exhibits. This ambitious plan will position the Museum to play a leading role in regional and national efforts to improve science education and increase scientific literacy. The CMNH is seeking a dynamic, creative and energetic individual who is passionate about the Museum and its mission; exhibits strong project management and organizational skills; is looking for new challenges; and enjoys working in an enthusiastic and fast paced environment.

  
  

  Job Summary:

  The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) seeks a Director of Marketing and Communications (DMC) to lead the creative, collaborative response to reaching the museum’s audience and visitor benchmarks and their corresponding revenue goals. Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer and collaborating with leaders across the museum, using information and digital engagement to deepen the understanding of the museum’s visitors and target audiences so that creative, timely and effective engagement can be developed.

  The DMC is charged with developing a strategic marketing and communication plan for the Museum’s grand opening. Creativity, transparency, project management and excellent communication will be critical skills for executing this time-sensitive opportunity to reintroduce the museum and enhance the marketing infrastructure so that the value of this exciting time in the museum’s history is maximized and sustained. Engaging new audiences and deepening the experience for visitors and donors will inform the new marketing and communication strategy, which will dovetail with the Museum’s strategic plan. This role will bring expertise around marketing and communication strategies and the tactical knowledge to build the marketing infrastructure required to assess and improve the effectiveness of the museum’s efforts to engage, grow, and diversify the museum’s audiences. The DMC will be an active partner in building connections and open communication so that all departments are aligned and are working together to strengthen the brand and the future of the museum. The DMC will need change-management skills, employ a practical approach to problem-solving and be mindful of available resources. Together with colleagues across the museum, the DMC will ensure the development of innovative and compelling stories that illuminate the value of giving, nature, science, and learning.

  The DMC will manage the marketing and communications team that provides services to all departments in the areas of marketing, communications, and creative services including art. The DMC will partner with colleagues in Information Technology and Digital Technology to engage vendors and consultants, including the new building’s architectural design team, to support the rollout of the Museum’s digital strategy focused on expanding CMNH’s digital presence to provide engaging and interactive learning experiences.

  
  

  Key Requirements:

  Significant successful experience in marketing and communications strategy, target segmentation, digital, communications, customer acquisition and brand management in an environment with a strong visual culture; nonprofit experience a plus.

  Expertise in the development, implementation and evaluation of long-range marketing plans and marketing research; including success with increasing attendance and revenue.

  
  

  Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation)

  Create a strategic communication and marketing plan to build excitement for the Museum’s grand opening and maximize the capture of relevant data to enhance future marketing plans in alignment with CMNH’s strategic plan.

  Pioneer and implement measurable strategies with metrics and benchmarks that will drive revenue goals and increase visibility and engagement among local, regional, national, and international audiences.

  Lead CMNH toward visitor-centric planning, programs, and communications.

  Articulate the communication and marketing strategy to key stakeholders including internal leadership, institutional and large individual donors, partners, and board members – as well to the communication and marketing team to ensure everyone is working toward shared goals.

  Ensure that the institutional vision and values are successfully expressed and extended through all initiatives; be the brand advocate working to align operating strategies with organizational core values.

  Be an external face of CMNH; effectively represent the museum with a broad array of constituents, including promotional partners, and community, business, government, and other leaders.

  Successfully launch the Museum’s grand opening and maximize the sustained value of the transformation project for re-introducing the museum to the public.

  Create innovative and inspiring integrated communication and marketing programs for target audience and visitor segments to grow new, deeper and more diverse engagement in keeping with CMNH’s vision and priorities.

  Improve and upgrade the organization’s visitor experience; collaborate with the digital technology team to develop models and standards for digital engagement; track and share information to increase effective content marketing and contributed content.

  Lead marketing communications; hone the CMNH story; ensure that clear and powerful messages about the organization and its research, brand and value proposition can be presented effectively across all forms of communications.

  Be the “keeper of the brand,” support organizational standards for consistency, relevance, design, and voice and increase organizational ownership and understanding of the brand.

  In support of CMNH’s philanthropy team, assist in identifying new donor segments; work with the philanthropy team to ensure all communication and marketing goals, strategies and campaigns are aligned with fundraising team goals.

  Oversee and participate in the research, writing and editing of all the CMNH’s press releases.

  Build and leverage connections to ensure that influencers within our various target audiences amplify the work of CMNH including its research.

  Initiate research to determine potential new audiences. Determine the characteristics and reach required to engage those groups and communicate that information across the organization.

  Analyze and understand the visitor journey from visit to member to donor and in collaboration with other departments support the active cultivation of those relationships.

  Develop and maintain budgets for all Marketing & Communications department operations and activities.

  Bring relevant research, data, and analysis of industry trends to museum leadership and analyze its significance to the museum.

  Be a reliable and valued colleague who offers thoughtful analysis, thinks strategically and is practical and approachable.

  Performed other duties as assigned.
  
  

  Education and/or Experience:

  Bachelor’s degree in marketing or communications, and eight plus years related job experience in marketing or advertising.

  A track record of delivering and measuring impact of marketing and communications efforts; someone who understands and utilizes data for improving decisions across the organization.

  
  

  Other Qualifications:

  A team builder with both vision and strong management skills; one who can motivate and direct diverse partners while establishing accountability and shared success.

  Exceptional knowledge of digital marketing strategies, concepts and practices.

  Extremely proactive approach to work; solutions-oriented with attention to detail.

  Ability to interact in an effective, tactful, and professional manner with the internal and external teams, the media and the public, a history of strong strategic partnerships.

  Experience managing the production of marketing/promotional materials and working closely with graphic designers and/or outside agency.

  Ability to collaborate within an interdisciplinary professional organization and track multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize, work well under pressure with a high degree of accuracy, and meet stringent and overlapping deadlines.

  Excellent oral and written communications skills; strong creative problem-solving and analytic capabilities.

  Demonstrated knowledge of writing clearly and informatively with a high level of sophistication and can vary writing styles to meet needs.

  Proficient knowledge of Microsoft office products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. A passion for science, nature and conservation.

  Ability to work well under pressure and adapt to changing situations and priorities; exercises good judgment and stays focused on overarching goals.

  Knowledge of museum operations or museum marketing is preferred.

  Ability to work a flexible schedule which may occasionally include evenings and weekends.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ADA EMPLOYER,

  SUBSTANCE-FREE and FULLY VACCINATED WORKFORCE

• About the company

  The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum located approximately five miles east of downtown Cleveland, Ohio in University Circle, a 550-acre concentration of educational, cultural and medical institutions.

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