Vice President, Communications and Marketing
Key details
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Work style
- Onsite
- Level
- Lead / Staff+
- Job type
- Full-time
- Function
- Marketing & Communications
- Focus area
- other
- Posted
- 3d ago
Skills
creative directionmarketing strategyphotographypublic relations
About the role
We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace
At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
The Role
The Philadelphia Museum of Art seeks a creative, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as Vice President of Communications and Marketing. Reporting to the Director and CEO and serving as a member of the Executive Team, the Vice President will lead efforts to attract and engage audiences, tell its stories, increase revenue, strengthen the museum’s reputation, and build public understanding of its collections, exhibitions, programs, and mission.
The Vice President will oversee the museum’s media relations, marketing, branding, advertising, and digital engagement. This leader will bring these functions together under a clear, cohesive strategy that advances the institution’s goals and deepens its connection to audiences, communities, and cultural life in Philadelphia and beyond.
The successful candidate will be an excellent storyteller and communicator, a creative marketer, and an experienced leader who combines strong judgment with a willingness to try new ideas. They will understand how to expand the museum’s reach to new audiences while deepening engagement with existing visitors, members, supporters, and the broader community.
Specifically, you will:
Institutional Communications and Reputation
At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
The Role
The Philadelphia Museum of Art seeks a creative, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as Vice President of Communications and Marketing. Reporting to the Director and CEO and serving as a member of the Executive Team, the Vice President will lead efforts to attract and engage audiences, tell its stories, increase revenue, strengthen the museum’s reputation, and build public understanding of its collections, exhibitions, programs, and mission.
The Vice President will oversee the museum’s media relations, marketing, branding, advertising, and digital engagement. This leader will bring these functions together under a clear, cohesive strategy that advances the institution’s goals and deepens its connection to audiences, communities, and cultural life in Philadelphia and beyond.
The successful candidate will be an excellent storyteller and communicator, a creative marketer, and an experienced leader who combines strong judgment with a willingness to try new ideas. They will understand how to expand the museum’s reach to new audiences while deepening engagement with existing visitors, members, supporters, and the broader community.
Specifically, you will:
Institutional Communications and Reputation
- Develop and lead a comprehensive communications strategy that advances the museum’s mission, priorities, and public standing.
- Serve as a senior communications adviser to the Director and CEO, senior leadership, and Board of Trustees.
- Oversee media relations and cultivate strong relationships with local, regional, national, and international journalists.
- Help tell compelling stories about the museum’s collections, exhibitions, artists, scholarship, educational programs, and community impact.
- Serve as a spokesperson for the museum when appropriate.
- Lead communications on sensitive and complex matters, including institutional change, labor relations, and crises.
- Oversee internal communications that keep staff informed, connected, and engaged in the museum’s work.
- Ensure the museum communicates clearly and consistently across its many activities and audiences.
- Develop and oversee marketing strategies that attract visitors, increase attendance, strengthen membership, and expand the museum’s reach.
- Lead marketing campaigns for exhibitions, programs, events, and institutional initiatives.
- Work closely with colleagues in Curatorial, Education, Membership, Development, and Visitor Services to identify opportunities to reach and engage audiences.
- Develop creative approaches to introducing the museum to people who may not currently see it as a place for them.
- Oversee advertising, promotional partnerships, and other marketing activities, making effective use of available resources.
- Use audience research and performance data to understand what is working, improve marketing efforts, and inform decisions.
- Help strengthen relationships with Philadelphia communities while extending the museum’s regional, national, and international visibility.
- Guide the museum’s brand and public identity, ensuring that its communications and marketing reflect its mission, values, and ambitions.
- Lead the development of clear, compelling messages and creative campaigns that distinguish the museum and make its work relevant to broad audiences.
- Oversee the quality and consistency of the museum’s writing, design, photography, video, and other public-facing materials.
- Encourage fresh ideas and creative approaches to presenting the museum and its offerings.
- Work with colleagues across the institution to ensure that the museum’s many stories are told accurately, engagingly, and accessibly.
- Oversee the museum’s website, social media, email communications, and other digital channels as essential ways to reach and engage audiences.
- Develop digital content and campaigns that encourage people to discover, visit, and connect with the museum.
- Work to improve the visitor experience online, including access to information, ticketing, and membership.
- Use digital tools and audience information responsibly to improve communications, marketing, and visitor engagement.
- Evaluate new platforms and approaches that can help the museum communicate more effectively.
- Lead, support, and develop a talented team of communications, marketing, creative, and digital professionals.
- Establish clear priorities, encourage collaboration, and create a workplace that values creativity, accountability, and professional growth.
- Manage departmental budgets, staff resources, and outside consultants or agencies.
- Work closely with colleagues across the museum to coordinate major initiatives and ensure communications and marketing support institutional priorities.
- Build productive relationships with cultural organizations, community partners, civic leaders, and other external stakeholders.
- Establish clear goals and regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the department’s work.
- Significant leadership experience in communications, marketing, or related fields, including responsibility for strategy, staff, and budgets.
- Demonstrated success developing communications and marketing strategies that strengthen an organization’s reputation and engage audiences and advance organizational goals.
- Exceptional writing, editing, speaking, and storytelling skills with the ability to communicate with diverse audiences.
- Strong experience with media relations, public affairs, and communications on sensitive or complex issues.
- Experience developing and implementing marketing initiatives across traditional, digital, and emerging channels.
- An ability to use audience insights, research and performance data to inform strategy and evaluate effectiveness.
- Demonstrated success building and developing high-performing teams.
- Proven ability to build alignment and advance shared goals across departments and stakeholder groups in a complex organization.
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