PR & Marketing Manager

Summary

The EcoTarium seeks a dynamic, creative, entrepreneurial and well-rounded marketing and public relations professional to increase the visibility and stature of the EcoTarium and support short and long-range attendance and revenue goals. The PR and Marketing Manager will manage and implement a comprehensive communications effort, including brand development and management, advertising, media relations, cross-marketing partnerships, collateral, and direct mail, email and social media marketing. In addition, they will have demonstrated ability to devise innovative marketing strategies, and provide thoughtful leadership around all aspects of marketing, public relations, and communications. This position will work closely with the Digital Marketing Manager.

This position reports to the Chief Advancement Officer and will work with the Senior Leadership Team to develop and implement innovative communications and marketing strategies for raising the museum’s profile locally, regionally, and nationally. This position will help develop, manage, and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing program, supporting admissions, membership and fundraising initiatives, and the promotion of events, exhibits, rentals, the museum gift shop, and the wildlife zoo. The PR and Marketing Manager will write and distribute press releases; pitch stories to the CAO and CEO that advance the museum’s mission; serve as a museum spokesperson and chief media contact; and oversee implementation of branding initiatives and standards.

Duties/Responsibilities

Public Relations – 35%

● Act as a spokesperson and representative for the institution in the media and at appropriate events, preparing the CEO and other staff as appropriate, and representing the institution on various community committees

● Attend museum events, programs, and community outreach events, including some evenings and weekends

● Oversee / provide direction for marketing outreach and admission-driving events at the EcoTarium

● Work with senior leaders to identify media opportunities for raising the museum’s stature locally, regionally and nationally

● Identify and pitch EcoTarium stories that advance the museum’s mission and vision and convey the joy of learning about science and nature

● Prepare press releases and share with appropriate media contacts

● Ensure that EcoTarium events/programs are advertised on external calendars and websites

Creative Development – 30%

● In support of fundraising, membership, admissions, exhibits and events - prioritize and manage marketing projects

● Write and/or design materials for a heavy schedule of museum publications and collateral, print and radio ads, direct mail, billboards, and museum signage

● With the Digital Content Manager, collaborate in content creation, copy writing/ editing and/or design for multiple externally focused platforms including social media, the EcoTarium website, external websites and calendars, and email.

● Manage projects end to end with external design or copy writing resources

Strategy, Planning and Marketing Management – 25%

● Manage the EcoTarium’s advertising and promotional programs, including the development of media relations, creative and promotional strategies to publicize and promote exhibitions, public programs, events, membership and fundraising

● Partner with the Digital Content Manager, to ensure continuity between digital and non-digital media strategies

● Manage contractors for copy, design, web, photography and social media as needed; manage marketing volunteers and interns when appropriate; manage direct mail and print vendors

● Work with input from education and exhibit staff to market ongoing public programming and exhibits

● Implement brand identity guidelines in EcoTarium communications, including print, promotional materials and signage – ensuring a consistent and engaging message to all constituencies

● Provide excellent communication with staff to ensure a well-informed, timely, and consistent message for our guests

● With the Digital Content Manager, develop, maintain and manage marketing elements on the Museum’s Annual Work Plan

● With the Digital Content Manager, develop, maintain, and manage an annual marketing expense budget

Marketing Systems, Tracking and Reporting – 10%

● Track and report on marketing tactics employed and ensuing results on ongoing basis

● Report and strategize on the museum’s communications and marketing objectives and achievements to/with the CAO, CEO and other Senior Leadership

● Oversee the utilization of the museum’s mailing database and the growth of the email database

● Oversee gathering, analyzing and using data on guests and identify key market segments

Qualifications

Skills/Abilities

● Excellent communication skills – an accomplished writer and speaker who has the ability to effectively communicate to a broad constituency on science and museum related topics

● Demonstrated ability to be creative and entrepreneurial

● Strong project management, planning, and organizational skills; attention to detail and deadlines

● Ability to prioritize and work on simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment

● Demonstrated ability to build consensus in a team-based environment

● Ability to conduct / facilitate meetings

Experience

● Minimum of five years extensive and progressively responsible experience in communications field, with a proven track record of marketing accomplishments

● Nonprofit experience preferable

● Expertise working with and developing relationships with local media contacts

● Experience developing and implementing a strategic marketing plan

● Extensive writing experience - copywriting and press releases

● Design experience preferred

● Experience with collateral, digital, social, and direct mail mediums

● Management experience – ability to effectively motivate and manage a team, including vendors and consultants

● Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Constant Contact or another email system

● Experience using Canva or other design software and Adobe Acrobat

Education and Other Requirements

● Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in English, Business, Marketing, Journalism or Communications field; or equivalent experience

● Must be able to attend off-site functions and events

● Must be available to work occasional evenings and/or weekends

● Must pass CORI and SORI background check according to EcoTarium’s guidelines

● Participate actively in all-staff community meetings, daily huddles (when possible), and staff trainings

● Contribute to a professional and motivational work environment by encouraging teamwork, collaborating with colleagues and providing positive reinforcement to team members when a job is well done.