communications manager

The Communications Manager is a liaison for all ArtsQuest communications needs, both internal and external as well as for all media relationships; responsible for working with the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Director of Marketing to develop Public Relations strategies, outreach, and messaging, and preserving ArtsQuest's rich history and brand through the organization's archives.

Responsibilities:

• Principal point of contact for all ArtsQuest-communication needs.
• Promote ArtsQuest's programs and events to local, regional and national media.
• Responsible for public relations strategies and outreach including news release development, media pitching and select promotions.
• Create and maintain an annual calendar of announcements, press releases and necessary documents to advance the PR strategy of the organization.
• Develop PR events for media related to select events.
• Manage the Musikfest Media process for pitching, and hosting reviewers of the festival and Wind Creek Steel Stage performances.
• Oversee and contribute to the writing and editing of news releases, publications, brochures and copy for ArtsQuest's websites.
• Lead Content aggregation process while working with Senior Director of Marketing and Director of Corporate Partnerships to establish deadlines and announcement calendar for publications, website content, programming announcements, ticket on-sales, and similar initiatives.
• Works with Marketing, Sponsorship, Advancement, and other departments to develop public relations initiatives and strategies that assist in event promotion and strengthening the organization's nonprofit messaging.
• Works with the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Programming Officer and Senior Director of Marketing on the preparation of public relations content for materials needed for all ArtsQuest events and venues.
• Assists the Marketing Team in the production of bi-monthly and monthly publications, both digital and print; gathers news, coordinates news staff, takes pictures, edits, writes, proofreads; works with contributing writers and photographers, graphic designers, and interns to develop articles from original ideas to completed projects.
• Gathers news, coordinates news staff, edits, writes, proofreads; works with contributing writers and photographers, graphic designers, and interns to develop articles from original ideas to complete projects.
• Provides oversight of substantive editing of articles and publications.
• Oversee the Public Relations account (Cision) and media databases.
• Works with the Volunteer and Internship Programs Manager in the selection and development of Public Relations interns.
• Collaborates with members of the Sr. Management Team and President and CEO to write and edit communications plans for select initiatives, i.e. strategic planning, crisis communications, staff introductions in the media, changes in leadership, etc.
• Assist Grants Administrator with grant aggregation and writing process.
• Responsible for maintaining and updating organizational crisis communications plans.
• Oversee historical archives in print, electronic or physical format.
• Liaison to the Public Relations Committee, which meets six (6) times annually.
• Oversee the work of mentors and coaches the Public Relations Coordinator and Public Relations Interns.

• Other duties as deemed necessary to successfully fulfill the roles and responsibilities of this position.

• Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field and/or at least 7 years in a PR / Communications role and 2 years management experience.

• Outgoing, approachable, and dynamic relationship builder; a strong communicator, excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills; ability to positively interact with a wide variety of people, including communication with all levels of the organization, sponsors, patrons, the media, members, and volunteers, both verbally and in writing.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• Ability to engage, listen, understand, and relate to community groups of varied interests and then reflect understanding of interests through all avenues of communications.
• Excellent communication skills; verbal, written and interpersonal; ability to professionally interact with people, handle confidential information, tough situations, issues, and remain calm and level-headed in emergency situations.
• Previous experience with writing for print, web, blogs, press releases, publications, etc.
• Extremely well-organized; ability to function easily in a fast-paced, ever-changing, deadline-driven work environment; exceptional time management or project management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, i.e. Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and Publisher required; knowledge of Raiser's Edge or another similar Sponsor/Donor software is helpful.
• Collaborative work style.
• Established record of innovation and creativity; exceptional problem-solving abilities, process- and goal-oriented.
• Ability to identify promotional and communication opportunities in the marketplace and the creativity to develop and fill them.
• Organizational skills and an ability to make sound communications and business decisions.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Experience leading and directing a team of creative individuals, interns, contract writers, and photographers is essential.
• Personal vehicle and valid driver's license required to enable travel to and from business meetings, between our facilities, to off- and on-site meeting locations.

ArtsQuest demonstrates its Core Values of: Serve our Communities, Be Curious, Act Generously, Be Transparent and Find Joy in all aspects of our culture. It is our goal to maintain these values to consistently deliver exceptional experiences to our employees and our community.

ArtsQuest is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our employees are the most valuable assets we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees and volunteers invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture but our reputation and the organization's achievement as well.

ArtsQuest and the ArtsQuest Foundation are Equal Opportunity Employers