Communications and Outreach Specialist

Job Description

The Syracuse University Art Museum seeks a dynamic and creative Communications & Outreach Specialist to manage its communications, marketing, and outreach to increase awareness and build audiences for the museum. This position will develop and implement marketing communication efforts that meet budgetary and time constraints, while considering the museum’s overall communication objectives, as well as university brand and strategic goals. This position will also help build and manage long-term relationships with university and community partners and manage communication for museum programs and events.

The Communications and Outreach specialist plans the museum’s public relations strategies and activities via traditional media, website, social media, and community outreach to promote Syracuse University Art Museum collection, exhibitions, programs, and special events. They also will enhance and protect the public image of Syracuse University Art Museum, as well as support the director with alumni and donor engagement.

Requires event attendance that may include non-business hours, nights, weekends, and/or holiday periods.

This position is part of a bargaining unit and is represented by the union SEIU, Local 200United.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business or related field.
• Three (3 ) plus years of experience in communications and/or public relations or other related field.
• Experience with HTML, CSS, and WordPress with the ability to pull basic reports from Google Analytics
  
  

Skills and Knowledge

• Interest in Art and Culture. General knowledge and awareness of museums and galleries.
• Knowledge of trends, algorithms, and broader social media and museum days.
• Highly creative, with experience identifying target audiences and devising digital campaigns that engage, inform, and motivate.
• Must have impeccable judgement and be able to collaborate frequently with team members.
• Ability to work independently with sound judgment and discretion.
• Proven ability to work with media (and influencers) to obtain reviews, features, previews of exhibitions, coverage of signature family and public programs
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communications skills, including public speaking.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and team building skills, especially in cross-functional teams; ability to collaborate with team members and leaders throughout the museum.
• Deep knowledge of social media platforms and practices (Facebook, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram and associated business/ad platforms) and ability to champion use of social media within the museum.
• Project management and reading comprehension skills.
• Proficiency in using Photoshop for basic image editing and resizing and understanding of image optimization techniques for the web
• Basic understanding of security best practices and ability to maintain compliance with web standards (such as accessibility) as directed by senior team members and university
• Proficiency with Canva, the Adobe design suite, and content management systems preferred.
  
  

Responsibilities

• In coordination with the University’s marketing and content teams, write, produce and edit a variety of content that conveys the Museum’s value proposition and pillars in valuable and relevant ways to varying audiences. Create a content calendar that aligns with the Museum’s strategic plan and University editorial calendar. Write and disseminate effective press releases and media alerts, prepare background information for media, and contribute content to annual fundraising University Central Advancement campaigns. Work across museum department to find and develop stories and circulate relevant material to media. Collaborate closely with the University’s central communications and marketing staff to ensure messaging aligns with the University’s overarching communication and marketing plans, content strategy and editorial calendar, and follows University brand standards (design, language, etc.), governance (digital, social media), and brand approach.
• Serve as the media liaison for the museum, responding to media requests in a timely manner and proactively pitch and place stories in local, regional, national, and international media. Attend and assist media at exhibition openings, public programs, and other events. In addition to the Director and Curators, serve as spokesperson for the Museum.
• Direct the creation and publication of content on the Museum’s website (museum.syr.edu) and social media accounts, including the creation and review of high-level content (includes some writing, editing and video production, as well as supervising the work of others). Follow Syracuse University brand approach and adhere to digital governance. Manage the museum’s presence on social media platforms to foster online engagement on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn through original and engaging content, as well as plan strategies and campaigns. Development of digital and print assets including photography, video, website, social media, flyers, advertising, and e-communications. Track engagement and mentions across channels, and coordinate responses. Maintain external event calendars and business listings, and coordinate responses to comments and reviews.
• Responsible for the day-to-day maintenance, front end content and administration of the Art Museum website and future apps or guides that will be created by the museum.
• Working in correlation with SU Marketing, manage website design templates and style guides, builds new event and program pages, uploads and manages posts and images and tracks analytics.
• Coordinate annual university Advancement campaigns, as well as assist department with alumni and donor engagement. Assists the director and curatorial team in the cultivation of museum donors and engagement with Syracuse University alumni by identifying and promoting the museum,. Works with the museum staff to author grant proposals for the museum as needed.
• Assist in organizing and staffing public events at the museum as well as community outreach tabling and public fairs. Build relationships and manage outreach to targeted internal and external audiences (local schools and universities, arts groups, community organizations, etc) to promote general attendance, tours, class visits, and special events.
• Expected to work special events as needed, that may include non-business hours, nights, weekends, and/or holiday periods.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Tools/Equipment

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.

About The Syracuse Area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community

Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.