Senior Director, Communications

The Senior Director, Communications is responsible for leading a team that drives  all aspects of executive communications, including external and internal communications, as well as media relations. The senior director works closely with the Senior Creative Director (Marketing) executive leadership, museum leaders, and others throughout the Science Museum of Minnesota to support the museum’s internal and external communication and outreach goals. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Mission Advancement, this role will manage two direct reports: one focusing on media coverage and public relations, and the other on internal communication and mission elevation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Key accountabilities include but are not limited to: 

Leadership:

• Lead, develop, and manage strategic internal and external communications and media relations for the Science Museum of Minnesota.
• Supervise and direct the workflow of the Strategic Communications Specialist and Marketing and Public Relations Specialist, providing guidance and support in executing their respective responsibilities. Lead and motivate the team in building awareness and a positive reputation for the Science Museum of Minnesota that inspires curiosity and ingenuity.
• Supervise and support team members in executing special projects assigned by management, ensuring timely and successful completion.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture within the communications department.
• Lead selection, hiring, training and development for the Communications team.
• Provide constructive feedback and recognition, including regular performance evaluations,  identify and optimize opportunities to develop, encourage and inspire staff.
• Engage and manage external consultants as needed to support key initiatives.

Communications:

• Develop, implement, and evolve external and internal communications strategy.
• Provide guidance and feedback to ensure all internal communication is clear, consistent, engaging, and aligned with the organization’s goals and values.
• Oversee the creation of engaging content that effectively communicates the museum's mission, values, and achievements.
• Lead cross-departmental collaboration efforts to amplify important institutional work and key messages with a focus on common objectives, clear strategies, and effective management of resources.
• Advise the Senior Leadership team and functional leaders regarding communications around key initiatives, operational issue management, and crisis response/management.
• In partnership with Human Resources, identify and develop opportunities to promote employee engagement and help foster a positive One Museum culture.
• Develop communication plans to effectively manage organizational changes, such as restructures or policy updates.
• Oversee crisis communication/preparedness plans and provide advisory and strategy for complex communication initiatives.
• Amplify the Science Museum of Minnesota’s “Future of Minnesota,” brand and key important mission stories.
• With the Strategic Communications Specialist, advise leadership on opportune communication topics to effectively convey the organization’s message.
• Monitor and measure the effectiveness of internal communications, and make recommendations for improvement based on feedback and data analysis.
• In partnership with the Senior Creative Director, develop and maintain a content calendar to ensure that internal communications are timely and relevant.

Media Relations:

• Develop, implement and evolve strategic media relations and PR plans to enhance the Science Museum of Minnesota’s visibility and reputation.
• Measure the success of media activities and campaigns according to set KPIs, report on the same, and develop/implement plans to react timely and productively where goals are not met.
• Lead and manage media inquiries and interview requests, coordinate responses and prepare executives for media engagements.
• Monitor media coverage and determine opportunities for the Museum to engage and analyze trends to inform communications strategies.
• Manage and prevent reputational risk to the Science Museum of Minnesota.
• Represent the museum at interviews and press conferences.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with media outlets, journalists, and maintain a media database.
• Oversee media relations initiatives and work with the Communications staff to plan meetings, press conferences, and presentations.
• Provide media training to executives and key spokespeople, equipping them with the skills to effectively navigate interviews and conversations.

Other duties as assigned:

• This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not exhaustive.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned as necessary.

Required Education & Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree in Communications (Internal & External), Public Relations, Marketing, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in internal/external/crisis communications and/or public relations
• 5+ years of experience leading Communications and supervising/mentoring a team in a complex, highly visible organization (including directly leading and developing others)
• Demonstrated success in long-form copy-writing, writing press releases, making presentations, and interacting with media
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Experience conducting media training sessions and coaching executives for media engagements.
• Cultural competency and experience working with diverse communities.

*May substitute an equivalent combination of education and experience, as determined by the hiring manager.

Required Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to develop, grow, and maintain internal and external partnerships.
• Align with SMM mission by ensuring that their own interactions with internal and external customers consistently support the mission.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive community and responding to the diverse perspectives, needs, and cultures of our community (internal and external).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages for diverse audiences.
• Flexible, positive in the face of change and inevitable mid-project course correction.
• Ability to manage multiple, competing priorities effectively.

Preferred Competencies:

• Proficiency with Google apps (experience with web-based proofing tools a plus).
• Fluency in language(s) other than English valued (Hmong, Somali, Spanish).
• Knowledge of social media management systems, Sprout Social a plus.
• Experience leading a like function in a non-profit is preferred, but not required

Work Environment:

• Fast paced with interruptions, collaborative hybrid office setting, 3 days in the office (preferably Tues, Wed, Thurs) that may flex up as business needs require
• May involve travel and attendance at onsite and external events and assignments
• Working hours may vary with occasional evenings or weekends

Schedule: Full-Time (40 hours/week) 

Starting Salary: $120,000-$140,000/year (dependent on qualifications; Compensation Grade 17)

The job duties and responsibilities listed describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position and are not an exhaustive list. For some positions, detailed procedures may be outlined in supplemental documents.

We exist to turn on the science and inspire learning, inform policy and improve lives. We envision a world in which all people have the power to use science to make lives better. We value science as an essential literacy and strive for inclusion inside and out so that our museum and our people reflect and respond to the diverse needs and cultures of our community.

It is the museum’s policy and practice to hire and promote qualified job seekers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We offer benefit packages to full-time and part-time employees.