Senior Press Officer
Philadelphia, PA
Full Time
Manager/Supervisor
We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace
At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
The Senior Press Officer is responsible for enhancing external communications, with specific focus on generating media coverage across the US, international markets, as well as with local and regional media outlets. Reporting to the Director of Communications this role is an active member and leader of the Communications and Marketing Division and along with the Director of Communications works across the museum to develop media relations strategies that achieve our strategic objective and to share information about our remarkable collections, programs and events with audiences at home and abroad. Along with the Director of Communications oversee the Communications team from initial ideas to final execution and follow-up. As a senior leader of the Communications team lead and mentor the Press Officer.
Specifically, you will:
Applications 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 Offer
Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:
*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.
At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
The Senior Press Officer is responsible for enhancing external communications, with specific focus on generating media coverage across the US, international markets, as well as with local and regional media outlets. Reporting to the Director of Communications this role is an active member and leader of the Communications and Marketing Division and along with the Director of Communications works across the museum to develop media relations strategies that achieve our strategic objective and to share information about our remarkable collections, programs and events with audiences at home and abroad. Along with the Director of Communications oversee the Communications team from initial ideas to final execution and follow-up. As a senior leader of the Communications team lead and mentor the Press Officer.
Specifically, you will:
- Develop, as well as oversee all media materials, including press kits, releases, media advisories, and fact sheets. Create and implement communication plans.
- Support promoting exhibitions, programming, and events at the museum. Generate story ideas and topic angles, draft media materials, and pitch media to land earned coverage. Prioritize and respond promptly to media requests.
- Support the Communications team with filming requests.
- Represent the Communications team at both internal and external stakeholder meetings.
- Establish and maintain existing relationships with media contacts.
- Provide thoughtful recommendations for content creation and distribution across multiple channels to support paid, owned and earned channels. Develop a strong understanding of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and our audiences.
- Work with teams across the museum to ensure consistency of messaging to meet program objectives.
- Assists with drafting and distributing internal communications e.g., correspondence from management, staffing updates, policy changes.
- Assists with identifying and making recommendations regarding potential areas for risk management.
- Assists with formulating communications strategy and policies.
- Oversee the following responsibilities:
- Creating and organization of media materials. Oversee building and maintaining release pages on press page. Oversee developing and creating emails and media advisories as part of the overall communications strategy.
- Oversee monitoring media outlets, understanding industry issues that directly and indirectly affect the Philadelphia Museum of Art and analyze and distill meaningful insights from media coverage.
- Oversee tracking and generating media reports to capture and measure media coverage across all platforms.
- Oversee maintaining the media database by monitoring up-to-date searches and keywords and assisting with monthly reports.
- Oversee managing the online pressroom which includes monitoring and helping to prioritize media queries, managing media gallery, and staying up to date on latest updates.
- Develop a strong understanding of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and our audiences.
- Work with teams across the museum to ensure consistency of messaging to meet program objectives.
- Participation in office-wide initiatives, seminars, and meetings to further professional learning and development.
- Participate in museum partnerships to promote the museum and its programming.
- Background in art history or a cultural non-profit a plus, but not mandatory
- Experience with Campaign Monitor, Presspage, Meltwater and Photoshop.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- This position requires a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five years’ experience working in a press and PR environment, preferably within the visual arts or not-for-profit sector.
- Candidates of interest will have driven, flair, imagination, and a clear passion for the arts. He/she will have a proactive and creative approach to media campaigns and the ability to network and build fruitful relationships within the media.
- They will have proven experience dealing successfully with difficult media enquiries, an outstanding ability to deal with a wide range of different people and requests, and the ability to work under pressure with strict deadlines.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills are expected.
- Strong attention to detail and project management skills.
- Social media literacy with the ability to identify and recommend social program elements.
- Ability to multi-task effectively, work within tight deadlines, and manage competing priorities.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet deadlines and client expectations.
- Confident and comfortable presentation in front of groups.
- Ability to build trust and relationships across all levels within an organization.
- A bachelor’s degree preferably in communications, journalism, international relations, or a related field or equivalent experience.
- The salary for this position is $75,000.
- This position is Full-Time, Exempt and 35 hours per week.
- This position reports to the Director of Communications.
- This position is required to be fully onsite at Philadelphia Museum of Art locations three days per week, and remote two days depending on the schedule for the week.
- Flexibility to work after office hours is necessary, and to be on call as required to handle media inquiries.
- 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
- Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
- 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.
Applications 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 Offer
Our 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
- 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.
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