Associate Director of Marketing Communications

POSITION SUMMARY

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is seeking a masterful storyteller to lead its marketing communications at a thrilling time of transformation, with a bold new brand, mission, and vision. This individual will bring to life the countless stories unfolding at the museum, showcasing the powerful impact of play-based learning. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, the Associate Director will shape the museum s storytelling strategy to drive audience growth, increase engagement, and support broader organizational goals. They ll lead messaging for all key areas including museum admission, membership, camps, classes, and school programs.

This is a rare opportunity for a creative leader to shape the museum s voice, driving audience growth and revenue, and ensuring the mission of joyful discovery reaches and inspires broader audiences. This is a pivotal moment for a creative visionary to sketch a compelling narrative for the entire organization and the diverse audiences it serves.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of marketing communications strategies to support the museum's mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align marketing communications with organizational priorities, ensuring consistency and impact across all touchpoints.
• Act as a strategic partner to the Director of Marketing and other senior leaders, providing insights and recommendations on how to effectively leverage communications to achieve the museum's long-term goals.

Content Creation, Storytelling, and Brand Management

• Shape and lead the museum s storytelling across all platforms, ensuring each narrative resonates with key audiences parents, donors, educators, and diverse communities.
• Highlight the long-term benefits of play-based learning through compelling stories that connect with these audiences.
• Oversee and contribute to content creation for museum admission, membership, camps, classes, and school programs, ensuring messaging aligns with the museum s refreshed brand, mission, and vision.
• Evolve and manage the museum s brand voice, working with the marketing team to ensure consistency across digital, print, and in-person communications, while maintaining an inclusive, playful, and engaging tone that resonates with diverse audiences.

Team Management and Collaboration

• Supervise and mentor the Social Media Marketing Coordinator, fostering creativity, growth, and collaboration. Work closely with the Graphic Designer and Digital Marketing Coordinator to ensure the seamless execution of campaigns and communications strategies.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including education, exhibits, and visitor services, to align messaging and ensure consistency in storytelling.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for marketing communications requests from other departments within the museum, assessing and prioritizing requests based on strategic impact.

Public Relations and Community Engagement

• Lead local public relations efforts, including writing press releases and local media relations to enhance the museum s visibility and reputation.
• Build relationships with key community partners, media outlets, and influencers to further amplify the museum s impact.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience is required with at least three (3) years of management experience. A bachelor s degree will count as four (4) years of experience.
• Proven experience in developing and executing successful marketing communications strategies across multiple channels.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with experience in evolving and managing a brand voice that adapts to and resonates with diverse audiences.
• Experience in managing teams and overseeing complex projects from inception to completion.
• Strong understanding of brand management, content strategy, and digital marketing.
• Proficiency in digital marketing strategies, including SEO, SEM, social media, email marketing, and content management systems (CMS).
• Experience in media relations, including the ability to craft press releases and pitch stories to media outlets.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel, Word, SharePoint, Teams and with marketing software and tools such as CRM systems, marketing automation platforms, and design software like Adobe Creative Suite.
• Passion for the museum s mission to inspire joyful learning and discovery in every child.

BENEFITS

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision for employee-only premiums.
• Life and long-term disability insurance.
• Eight (8) paid holidays, plus three (3) floating days.
• Paid Sick Leave of up to 80 hours per year (40 hrs front loaded at hire, accrual after that)
• Paid vacation leave starts at 3 weeks per year.
• Paid parental leave.
• Discounts at museum caf and store, and on museum programs.
• All staff celebrations.
• Reciprocal admission benefits at other museums.
• Professional development training.

NOTE TO CANDIDATES

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. We encourage those from all backgrounds to apply to allow us to build the most inclusive and creative team possible.

Please do not remove yourself from contention before you even apply. Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. If much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply.

Due to the sensitivity and requirements of our positions, you should expect to undergo and be cleared of an employment background/criminal check if extended an offer for employment. You may also be asked to provide proof of educational degree(s), licenses, credentials, or vaccinations pertinent to the position.