Director Of Communications And Marketing, Nasher Museum Of Art

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

The Nasher Museum of Art seeks a Director of Communications and Marketing to lead the museum’s overall marketing and communications strategy, amplifying the museum’s mission, reputation, and identity. This position conceptualizes, develops, and implements marketing campaigns to increase visibility and build upon the museum’s international reputation. Under the direction of the museum Director, this position will devise and implement strategies to promote the museum, its exhibitions, collection, public programs, and educational initiatives, as well as engage and amplify Duke University and the greater Durham community.
 

The Director of Communications and Marketing supervises a team of two full-time staff, along with interns and occasional contract employees. The department's goals include increasing brand awareness, expanding audience engagement, and cultivating institutional loyalty through compelling storytelling.

As a member of the museum leadership team, this position contributes to strategic planning efforts, participates in key events and meetings, and provides leadership on communications initiatives across all museum departments.

About Us:

The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University is an internationally-recognized center for the visual arts located in Durham, North Carolina. Since opening in 2005, the museum has organized and presented leading-edge exhibitions that travel worldwide. From the beginning, the Nasher Museum has been dedicated to building a groundbreaking collection of contemporary art. In this effort, the museum’s collection strategy emphasizes works by diverse artists who have been historically underrepresented. Drawing on the resources of a leading research university, the museum serves as a laboratory for interdisciplinary approaches to learning.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy and Editorial Direction

• Develop a strategic marketing plan to increase the museum’s visibility, promote its exhibitions and programs, and ensure alignment with the museum’s mission and values

• Plan, execute, and manage marketing strategies intended to grow and attract new audiences

• Define and oversee the content and tone for digital platforms

• Ensure consistency and clarity in the museum’s voice across all channels

Management

• Lead, develop, supervise, and evaluate department staff, encouraging professional growth and collaboration

• Set clear departmental goals and devise strategies to meet the needs of all museum departments

Writing and Editing

• Write and edit a wide range of content, including press releases, advertising copy, content for the museum website and e-newsletter, calendar listings, feature stories, public letters from the director, the annual report (online) and other writing projects as needed.

Media Relations

• Serve as primary media contact for the museum, acting as spokesperson or coaching others as needed

• Pitch feature stories to local, national, and international press; organize and host media visits

• Collaborate with Duke University Communications and campus partners to cross-promote programs, build partnerships, and refine messaging from Duke University to the campus community and public. Create content for distribution on Duke channels.

Marketing

• Plan and implement marketing campaigns for all museum initiatives, including exhibitions, public programs, fundraising initiatives, and earned revenue streams

• Track, evaluate and report on the effectiveness of advertising, signage, messaging, and social media strategy, ensuring that content is fresh and relevant

Budgeting

• Develop and manage annual and project-specific budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources while tracking expenses and maintaining financial accountability

Preferred Experience:

Five to seven years of experience; demonstrated track record of success in writing and editing, developing and executing community partnerships, communications, project management, video production, media relations, outreach, and advertising/marketing initiatives in or for private, public and nonprofit organizations required; fluent in Spanish preferred; experience in leading teams and staff management required.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $61,465 to USD $105,523.  Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your pay check.  Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/ or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires communication, analytical and organizational skills acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Experience

Work requires a minimum of four years of experience in publications, public relations, marketing or a related field in order to direct and coordinate a comprehensive marketing and communications program.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.