Communications and Marketing Specialist

Job Title:

Communications & Marketing Specialist

Location:

West Newton Cinema, West Newton, MA

Reports To:

Cinema Manager

About West Newton Cinema

West Newton Cinema, now operating as a nonprofit under the West Newton Cinema Foundation, is more than just a movie theater, it’s a place for bringing people together through film, conversation, and community. The cinema is being thoughtfully restored, blending its original Art Deco charm with a fresh, modern sensibility. Our mission is to harness the power of film to bring people together, spark connection, and reflect the diverse stories of our community. We offer a mix of mainstream, independent, classic, and family films, special events, and cultural programming that celebrates and strengthens our community.

Position Summary

West Newton Cinema is seeking a creative, strategic, and experienced Communications & Marketing Manager to lead all aspects of our communications, marketing, and public outreach efforts. This role is vital in growing awareness of the cinema’s nonprofit mission, increasing attendance, engaging the local community, supporting fundraising initiatives, and helping strengthen West Newton Cinema’s identity as a nonprofit cultural institution and community gathering place. We’re looking for someone who understands how to strategically reach a range of audiences, tell a compelling story, build strong community connections, and drive results across digital and traditional platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing & Communications Strategy

• In consultation with the cinema manager, develop and execute an integrated marketing and communications strategy that promotes the cinema’s position within the Greater Boston arts and cinema landscape, and its unique programming, restoration journey, community role, and capital fundraising efforts.
• Strengthen awareness of WNC’s nonprofit mission, community impact, and distinctive identity as a welcoming destination for film, culture, and connection.

Digital Marketing & Social Media

• Create, schedule, and manage engaging content across social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) to highlight films, events, fundraising opportunities, and community stories.
• Track social media performance and audience engagement, adjusting strategies based on data insights.

Storytelling & Content Creation

• Craft mission-driven messaging that resonates with diverse audiences, highlighting the cinema’s community impact, nonprofit mission, fundraising priorities, and the unique role of film in bringing people together.
• Write clear, persuasive copy for press releases, newsletters, website updates, fundraising appeals, and donor communications.
• Create graphics and multimedia content (using tools like Canva or Photoshop) that align with the cinema’s brand and visual identity.

Email Marketing & Website Management

• Design and manage email campaigns (via Mailchimp), maintaining and segmenting contact lists for targeted outreach.
• Keep the cinema’s website updated with fresh content about films, events, cinema news, community impact, membership, and fundraising opportunities.

Media Relations & Publicity

• Build relationships with local and regional media, securing press coverage and listings for cinema events.
• Distribute press releases and manage communications for special announcements and events.

Partnerships & Advertising

• Collaborate with local businesses, schools, and organizations to promote the cinema and explore partnership opportunities.
• Coordinate pre-roll advertising with local sponsors and ensure all advertising aligns with the cinema’s community values.
• Identify opportunities to expand audience reach and strengthen the cinema’s visibility through community partnerships, cross-promotions, and strategic collaborations

Team Collaboration & Oversight

• Supervise interns or part-time marketing support, providing guidance and ensuring high-quality output.
• Work closely with the cinema manager and leadership team to align communications and marketing efforts with organizational goals, including fundraising goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 4 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related role.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling, mission-driven content for a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to confidently manage both short- and long-term marketing and communications initiatives, consistently meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work. 
• Strong understanding of digital marketing, including social media, email marketing, website content management, and analytics.
• Experience creating marketing materials using Canva and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and Illustrator).
• Basic video production and video editing skills, with the ability to create engaging short-form content (including Reels and similar social media videos) for digital marketing and audience engagement.
• Proficiency with Mailchimp, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.
• Experience with Veezi/Vista and Little Green Light (LGL) is a plus but not required. 
• Experience working with nonprofit, arts, cultural, or community organizations is a plus but not required.
• Familiarity with fundraising communications, donor stewardship, or capital campaign marketing is a plus.
• Enthusiasm for film, arts, culture, and community engagement, with a genuine commitment to the mission of West Newton Cinema.

Position Details

• Full-time position (40 hours per week)
• Hybrid work arrangement, with a combination of on-site and remote work
• Benefits include paid time off (PTO) and employer-sponsored health insurance
• Salary range: $50,000 - $60,000 annually, commensurate with experience.