Assistant Director of Communications
The Assistant Director of Communications reports to the Director of Communications and is charged with promoting the Museum's exhibitions, collection, and programs. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with colleagues across departments to develop plans and strategies for earned media campaigns and assists the director with issues management and crisis communications as required.
- In tandem with Director of Communications, oversees creation and dissemination of information to national and international media for all institutional endeavors and exhibitions, including writing or overseeing preparation of press releases, media alerts, FAQs, talking points, and advance exhibition schedules
- Responsible for developing strategic press outreach plans, pitching of individual story ideas, securing of placements, organizing photo and film shoots, and negotiation of location agreements
- Works with Communications Assistant to oversee organization of all press previews and press cultivation events, including exhibition press previews and annual press reception
- Helps supervise interns as well as external public relations consultant; cultivates and maintains relationships with key media
Compensation
This is a regular full-time exempt position. The Whitney offers a full benefits package including medical, dental, and vision care. Other benefits include a 403B with employer contribution, transportation benefits and free admission to most Museums nationally.
About the Whitney:
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.
The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.
COVID guidelines
The health and safety of our Museum community is the highest priority. As such, the Whitney Museum requires all newly hired staff members to be fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations for medical, religious, or other reasons will be considered in accordance with applicable law.
Requirements:
- Bachelor of Arts degree
- 5 to 7 years of experience in communications or public relations in the arts
- Excellent communication, presentation, and writing skills
- Strong project management skills and ability to juggle multiple tasks at once
- Collaborative nature and excellent interpersonal skills
- Superb attention to detail and ability to manage and meet deadlines
- Knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Powerpoint, and Excel; experience with Adobe Photoshop and Media Monitoring software preferred, but not required
- Passion for contemporary culture, especially visual arts