The Allen Memorial Art Museum (AMAM) at Oberlin College is seeking applicants for a manager to oversee the museum’s communications, including external and internal printed materials and publications, publicity and media outreach, and membership in the museum’s Friends group. The manager plays a vital role in communicating about the museum’s activities and mission to local, national, and international audiences. The Communications Manager is a continuing 12-month Administrative and Professional Staff position at the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, reporting to the director of the museum.
Responsibilities: The Communications Manager will be responsible for all aspects of a broad range of museum publications and printed materials, media outreach, and membership activities. Specific responsibilities include:
- production of written materials in a variety of formats for public, campus, and scholarly audiences, including a semi-annual newsletter, a visitor guide and gallery map, annual reports, museum catalogues, development materials, brochures and flyers, signage, posters, banners, postcards, and other materials, and editing of gallery labels and vinyl wall texts;
- oversight and communication with media contacts to publicize the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs, including writing, editing, and sending press releases, advertisements, and images to media personnel, publications, and organizations internal and external to Oberlin College;
- creation of advertising plans for major exhibitions and initiatives, recommending strategies for print, radio, and digital ads;
- communication with the museum’s Friends (membership) group and other supporters to share information and increase membership, including through renewal letters, monthly MailChimp e-newsletters, and other mailings (both digital and print), while maintaining the list of e-newsletter subscribers;
- oversight of the museum’s website, including posting new information and images relating to exhibitions and events and monitoring analytics;
- coordination with other staff members regarding postings to social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram);
- coordination with Oberlin College Communications department colleagues and others to organize photo shoots, interviews, and other projects, escorting media personnel while in the museum;
- maintaining photo files as well as inventory of past publications, merchandise, and supplies relating to membership renewals and label and vinyl production;
- maintenance of accurate information about the museum on external websites;
- design of products, such as T-shirts, magnets, cards, etc., including vendor selection and payment tracking;
- mentorship and supervision of student assistants;
- other duties as assigned.
Requirements: B.A. degree is required, preferably in art history, English, graphic design, journalism, or a closely-related field; M.A. is preferred. All applicants should have at least 4 years of full-time experience in a museum role requiring extensive written communication with the public or in a media/communications environment. Other requirements include:
- exemplary verbal and written communication skills, including experience with journalistic writing and writing for a broad range of audiences;
- demonstrated creativity in graphic design and significant experience with Adobe Creative Cloud products, including InDesign and Photoshop, and in working with vendors for four-color printing;
- copywriting and editing skills, including fluency with Associated Press style;
- strong administrative, organizational, and collaborative abilities, as the manager will work closely with all staff members and serve as a liaison between the museum, campus and community partners, and a broad public;
- a commitment to being proactive and reliable, with close attention to detail, collegiality, and an ability to coordinate multiple projects while meeting deadlines;
- availability to work occasional evening and weekend hours, and to move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds;
- a commitment to expanding access to the museum for diverse audiences, and enthusiasm for participating in the intellectual life of an excellent liberal arts college.
Desired qualifications:
- experience with the editing and design of art museum labels and wall text, and with the flow of work that surrounds art museum exhibitions;
- prior supervisory experience;
- proficiency with databases.
Quick Link for Posting: http://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/11212
Compensation: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience; the position includes an excellent benefits package.
To Apply: Candidates should submit a letter of application, including a paragraph addressing how they would incorporate attention to diversity into their work at the museum; writing sample; curriculum vitae; and names, addresses and phone numbers of three references by January 9, 2022 via Oberlin College’s PeopleAdmin portal: https://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/11212. Applications received after the deadline may be considered. Candidates invited to interview will be required to perform writing and editing tasks.
About the Allen Memorial Art Museum (AMAM) and Oberlin College: For more than a century, Oberlin College has been committed to promoting direct study of original works of art to foster visual literacy and a deeper understanding of the diversity of the world’s cultures. Today the AMAM houses an encyclopedic collection of more than 15,000 works selected to provide a comprehensive overview of the history of art and is recognized as one of the best academic museums in the country. The AMAM serves a broad regional audience and operates on the premise that learning about art is important for everyone, a principle demonstrated by free public admission, offered since its founding in 1917. See www.amam.oberlin.edu for more information about the museum and its programs.
The museum complex includes a 1917 building designed by Cass Gilbert. In the 1970s, Robert Venturi designed a gallery dedicated to the presentation of modern and contemporary art, the architect’s first museum commission. The AMAM also shares responsibility with Oberlin College for a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house, the first Usonian house in Ohio, located in Oberlin.
Founded in 1833, Oberlin College is a private, four-year, highly selective national liberal arts college near Cleveland, Ohio, and is also home to an outstanding Conservatory of Music. Together, the two divisions enroll approximately 2,900 students. Oberlin College was the first college in the U.S. to make interracial education and co-education central to its mission. The College continues to view a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational environment as essential to the excellence of its academic program. Among liberal arts colleges, Oberlin is a national leader in successfully placing graduates into Ph.D. programs.
Oberlin College is committed to professional staff, faculty, and student diversity, equity, and inclusion. The incumbent will bring understanding of or experience working with underrepresented and diverse academic populations. Oberlin is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the excellence and diversity of the academic community. Oberlin recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran’s status, and/or other protected status as required by applicable law.
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