Description
Position Summary
The director of communications for museums and creative practice develops and implements a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy for the Weatherspoon Art Museum and the Jeanne Tannenbaum Center for Creative Practice. Reporting directly to the senior director of communications in University Communications and working closely with the associate vice chancellor for museums and creative practice, the director of communications ensures consistent brand identity, cohesive storytelling, and strategic outreach across diverse platforms and audiences—including students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, artists, community partners, and national peers.
The position manages media relations, oversees digital and print content, coordinates communications for exhibitions and programs, leads marketing and promotional campaigns, and ensures that messaging across all units aligns with UNCG’s strategic priorities. The director of communications supervises student and/or intern communications staff and collaborates closely with designers, photographers, and other staff in University Communications.
This role is central to shaping the public understanding of UNCG’s leadership in arts, creativity, and interdisciplinary practice.
Minimum Qualifications
This role is central to shaping the public understanding of UNCG’s leadership in arts, creativity, and interdisciplinary practice.
Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, digital media, art history, arts administration, or related field.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, preferably in museums, higher education, arts, design, or cultural organizations.
Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, and translating complex artistic or academic content for diverse audiences.
Experience with media relations, digital strategy, content management systems, and social media.
Proficiency in project management and the ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with the ability to work across departments and with external partners.
Experience working with designers, photographers, and/or creative vendors.
Additional Required Certifications, Licensures, and Certificates
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in communications, arts administration, museum studies, journalism, marketing, public affairs, or related field.
Experience promoting arts, museums, creative technologies, research, or interdisciplinary academic initiatives.
Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, web analytics tools, email campaign platforms, and/or CRM systems.
Experience supervising students, interns, or communications staff.
Experience working with virtual production, digital storytelling, or creative technology environments is a plus but not required.
Requirements
Percentage Of Time 30
Key Responsibility
Strategic Communications Leadership and Planning
Essential Tasks
Serve as a member of the Museums and Creative Practice leadership team, contributing to institutional planning and strategic initiatives.
Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive communications and marketing plan for Museums and Creative Practice.
Establish and maintain a cohesive brand identity for WAM and JTCCP and ensure its relationship with the larger UNCG brand.
As a member of the University Communications team, coordinate with UC colleagues on messaging, cross-promote major initiatives, and amplify visibility through central university channels.
Develop audience growth strategies for students, faculty, community members, and regional partners, informed by data and aligned with institutional priorities.
Manage communications and marketing budgets to maximize impact and ensure responsible use of resources.
Percentage Of Time 20
Key Responsibility
Digital Presence and Content Strategy
Essential Tasks
Manage and contribute to websites, social media channels, email newsletters, and digital campaigns.
Ensure accessibility, accuracy, and brand cohesion across platforms.
Collaborate with designers, videographers, and external vendors as needed.
Percentage Of Time 15
Key Responsibility
Storytelling, Media Relations, and Public Visibility
Essential Tasks
Produce high-quality narratives, press releases, feature stories, and promotional materials highlighting exhibitions, programs, creative research, residencies, and partnerships.
In coordination with the Director of Media Relations, build and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national arts-focused media outlets.
Coordinate publicity photography and media interviews in partnership with UC staff; prepare staff, visiting scholars, and artists for press engagement.
Identify opportunities for national visibility related to museum exhibitions, academic integration, and creative practice initiatives.
Percentage Of Time 15
Key Responsibility
Revenue-Generating Marketing
Essential Tasks
Develop targeted marketing strategies that support revenue-generating initiatives across Museums and Creative Practice, including Weatherspoon membership growth, program enrollment, and space rentals at the Jeanne Tannenbaum Center for Creative Practice.
Coordinate promotional materials, digital campaigns, and segmented messaging to attract prospective members, renters, collaborators, and program participants.
Collaborate across Advancement to support sponsorship collateral, partnership visibility, and marketing fulfillment for donors and corporate partners.
Ensure digital platforms, social media, and email campaigns highlight opportunities for membership, giving, paid programs, and facility rentals.
Use analytics and audience insights to refine strategies and improve the effectiveness of revenue-related outreach.
Percentage Of Time 15
Key Responsibility
Campus and Community Engagement Communications
Essential Tasks
Coordinate messaging for students, faculty, staff, donors, Collectors & Curators Circle members, community partners, and visiting artists/scholars.
Promote events, performances, lectures, symposia, and educational programs across all units.
Support advancement and donor communications in collaboration with development staff.
Serve as communications liaison for units located on the Millennial Campus.
Recruit, hire, and supervise student employees and communications interns to expand content production, strengthen campus engagement, and support community-facing communications.
Percentage Of Time 5
Key Responsibility
Data Analytics and Continuous Improvement
Essential Tasks
Use analytics tools to track effectiveness of communications strategies (web analytics, social media metrics, audience surveys, attendance trends).
Produce periodic reports to inform decision-making and improve engagement.
Recommend refinements in messaging and content strategy based
