Senior Manager of Communications & Digital Programs

Full-time

Description

DEPARTMENT: Communications

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Deputy Director

STATUS: Hourly, Non-exempt

HOURS: Full-time, hybrid okay. Includes some weekends and evenings,

including working at major BIMA events, such as the

annual Auction, other special events, and member parties.

SALARY RANGE: $74,000 - 82,000

THIS POSITION SUPERVISES THE FOLLOWING STAFF: Marketing Manager, Graphic Designer, Social Media Coordinator, Contract Workers

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) seeks a strategic, creative, and collaborative Senior Manager of Communications & Digital Programs to lead the museum’s communications, marketing, and digital content efforts. This senior-level role manages a small, dynamic team and works with outside contractors to tell compelling stories, grow BIMA’s audience, and expand the reach of its exhibitions and programs across all print and digital platforms throughout the region and beyond. The ideal candidate is a storyteller at heart with a strong sense of visual and written narrative, and proven leadership experience running teams and campaigns in the arts, culture, or nonprofit sectors.

This position oversees all marketing and communications efforts for BIMA’s exhibitions, programs, and institutional initiatives. Responsibilities include daily team management, advertising strategy and planning, social media calendar planning, audience development, and regional media representation. The Senior Manager also leads BIMA’s overall website strategy, ensuring key sections are current and engaging, while managing ongoing digital initiatives such as the completion of the museum’s online exhibition history. They partner closely with the Deputy Director on budgeting, press relations, institutional writing, branding, and messaging, use data from platforms like Eventbrite to shape strategy and improve outreach, all while providing oversight to the Marketing Manager, Graphic Designer, and Social Media Coordinator.

On the digital content side, the Senior Manager is responsible for planning, producing, and delivering multimedia programming through the museum’s BIMA+ initiative. This includes producing video content like Exhibition Insights, Suquamish Stories, BRAVA Award and auction videos, auditorium event recordings, and Artists’ Books Unshelved. They look for opportunities to incorporate digital content and other storytelling formats within the in-person exhibition experience and coordinate all aspects of video content—concepting, interviews, filming, editing, and contractor oversight. This position is a key partner with the curatorial department in telling the essential stories of the gallery shows and artists, and helping that team get the museum’s collections online and accessible to the public through the transition to a new Collections Management System and through a partnership with Google Arts & Culture. These digital narratives connect BIMA to its current and new audiences in meaningful ways.

The successful candidate brings strong project management skills, excellent communication abilities, and the confidence to lead collaborative teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. They are equally comfortable shaping high-level strategy and diving into the details of content creation. Passionate about the arts and committed to accessible, community-centered programming, this person will play a key role in how BIMA shares its vision and stories, both in the museum and beyond.

General Responsibilities:

- Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, the Senior Manager will work with a cross-departmental team to develop a strategic direction for engagement that is consistent with the Museum’s core values, public brand and values proposition, and audience expectations.

- Contribute to the team’s efforts to create new models for storytelling, zeroing in on BIMA’s focus on the contemporary art & craft of the Puget Sound Region, its world-class Artists’ Books Collection, and its role as a cultural gathering place.

- Oversee a talented Marketing & Communications team that supports exhibitions, fundraising, programs, education, community events, and earned revenue sources like the BIMA Bistro, Museum Store, and rentals program.

- Supports BIMA events with marketing, video, photography, and day-of support when appropriate.

Communications & Marketing Responsibilities Include:

- In partnership with the Marketing Manager, build BIMA’s paid advertising strategy, including print, digital, and outdoor efforts.

- Ensure BIMA shows up as a leading arts organization regionally for its unique characteristics of free admission, self-curated exhibitions, daily access, and welcoming spirit. Helps BIMA grow its reputation nationally as a leader in the burgeoning world of Artists’ Books.

- Implement BIMA’s social media strategy and develop the seasonal messaging calendar.

- With the help of BIMA’s Social Media Coordinator, develop storytelling and engaging content for BIMA’s online audiences, and develop a paid social media presence plan.

- Personally manage BIMA’s LinkedIn presence to strategically elevate the museum’s reputation regionally amongst other arts organizations.

- Utilize demographic information about BIMA visitors and event attendees to develop a plan to reach the museum’s seven core audiences and refine strategies to build new audiences.

- Partner with other departments to refine exhibitions and programs so that they are more likely to draw an audience.

- Manage the overall BIMA web experience and ensure that sections are up-to-date. Works with Marketing Manager to oversee completion of events and exhibitions online and the Visitor Services Lead to ensure tickets are set up in Eventbrite. Makes sure that navigation between exhibitions and related events is easy to navigate and promotes the entirety and crossover of BIMA’s programming.

- Represents BIMA at regional events, arts marketing cohorts, community roundtables, etc, as appropriate.

- Utilizes demographic information from Eventbrite, surveys, and other analytics to determine the best marketing strategies to create sales and membership conversions.

- Work with the Deputy Director on press opportunities and write and send press releases.

- Elevate BIMA’s profile and distinctive characteristics through written and video storytelling that centers on BIMA’s impact on the community and the artists it represents

- Works with staff and independent contractors to ensure videography & photography happen at museum events that will help to tell the museum’s story.

- Works with Marketing Manager and Deputy Director to build media partnerships regionally.

- Other duties as assigned.

Digital Programs Responsibilities Include:

- In concert with various program directors, the Senior Manager will conceive, initiate, and drive digital projects both on- and off-site that push the museum forward, that support our mission, brand, and values, and that create rich, optimal visitor experiences.

- Collaborate with the curatorial department to create engaging interpretive activities that extend the visitor experience beyond the exhibition and physical museum space, allowing visitors to overcome barriers, explore deeper levels of information, and interact with one another.

- Lead the development of a new searchable library of BIMA’s self-produced video content.

- Support the museum’s content generators in developing micro-marketing techniques that augment the general marketing efforts

- Work with the education department to use Digital programs to best advantage in the Museum’s classroom-based educational programs and its outreach activities to elders, individuals with health or mobility issues, Communities of Interest, and tribal communities.

- Lead the creation of mission-supporting digital products, funding proposals, brand-building activities, artist resources, and board and staff training resources.

- Manage a team of freelance videographers and photographers and act as project manager and art director for their work.

- Film and edit video for BIMA’s online programs as needed.

- Boost viewership of BIMA’s online library of videos using tagging, SEO, playlisting, direct outreach, and other methods.

- Provide interactive technology guidance, support, and assistance to other Museum departments, including marketing, curatorial, education, programs, development, membership, visitor services, and retail.

- Work collaboratively with the curatorial department to implement a new Collection Management System for the Museum.

- In year one, plan a new system for BIMA to organize digital assets (photos, logos, etc) so that they are easily accessible and searchable by the entire museum team, and implement it the following year.

- Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

- Broad understanding of museum practice and visitor experience, IT requirements for digital media and online programs, business needs, and new technologies.

- Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Arts, Marketing, Digital Humanities, or a general related field, and ten or more years of related experience in marketing and digital film/video production, or equivalent combination of education/experience.

- Three years of proven excellence leading a team

- Proven technological production skills and ability to launch initiatives in a new environment.

- Enthusiasm and experience in an arts, educational, or cultural environment, with visitor engagement at its core.

- Comfortable communicating with a variety of individuals, including board members, vendors, peer organizations, community members, and volunteers

- Strong familiarity with interactive, mobile, and emergent technologies, and an ability to identify the right technology to meet the needs of a project that is right-sized for a small non-profit organization.

- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

- Ability to sit for extended periods of time.

- Availability to work major BIMA events as needed, including the BIMA Bash! and membership events, as well as other all-hands-on-deck activities with warning.

- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

REQUIRED:

- Knowledge of web development fundamentals, capacity to learn new technologies as needed.

- Candidates must have their own vehicle with current license and insurance

- Portfolio of storytelling projects that highlight the impact of arts or service organizations.

- Digital publishing experience.

- Abilities in filming and editing for online applications.

- Portfolio of past completed projects you have built.

BIMA is a non-profit art museum dedicated to filling our space with diverse and inclusive employees, guests, and artists. We strive to ensure all voices are heard, valued, and welcomed into our space regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. These are all elements that play into an individual’s uniqueness, and here at BIMA, uniqueness is celebrated.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Salary Description

$74,000 - $82,000 / yr