The RoleThe 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.
Marketing, Audience Development, and Engagement- 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.
Brand, Creative Direction, and Storytelling- 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.
Digital Communications and Marketing- 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.
Leadership and Collaboration- 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.
Your background and experience include:- 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.
- Experience in a museum, cultural organization, nonprofit, or other mission-driven institution environment preferred.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
Who You Are - An exceptional communicator who can make complex ideas clear, compelling, and accessible to a wide range of audiences.
- A strategic and creative thinker who brings fresh ideas and translates vision meaningful outcomes.
- A collaborative leader who builds trust, fosters strong partnerships, and brings people together across shared goals.
- A people-centered leader who develops talent, values diverse perspectives, and creates an environment where individuals and teams can thrive.
- A thoughtful strategist who understands both the opportunities and challenges facing museums today and the communities they serve.
- A resourceful problem-solver who navigates complexity and change with sound judgement, adaptability, and a focus on results.
- An enthusiastic advocate for the arts who believes museums can play a vital role in people's lives.
Position and Compensation Details- The salary for this position is $275,000
- This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week.
- This position reports to the Director and Chief Executive Officer
- Physical requirements:
- Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus. Able to provide occasional physical tasks including climbing ladders and lifting boxes (no more than 30 lbs.).
- Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
Institutional Requirements- Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
- Adheres to the museum's code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
- Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum's staff, volunteers, and audiences.
- Maintains confidentiality.
- Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.
Application TimelineApplications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.
What We OfferOur employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:
- Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
- Discounted guest tickets for admission
- Discounts on gift memberships
- Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
- Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores
We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
- Health savings or flexible spending account program
- Retirement savings program with museum match
- Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays
*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee's regular schedule and tenure.
