Marketing & Communications Manager
Kirkland, WA
Starting immediately
Time Commitment: Full Time, Exempt
Type: Regular
Level: Mid level
Location: On-site
Pay: $57,000-62,000 DOE
Reports to: Executive Director
About Kirkland Arts Center
Kirkland Arts Center (KAC) is a regionally recognized non-profit arts organization that promotes art and art education to ignite individual growth and self-expression, build community, and cultivate cultural vibrancy. values a diverse, inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all students, staff, and instructors. We believe every member of our community enriches our diversity by exposing us to a variety of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges and work together toward effective solutions.
Position Summary
Kirkland Arts Center seeks a Marketing & Communications Manager to join our welcoming non-profit community and contribute to a vibrant, arts-minded culture on the Eastside. For over 60 years, KAC has served Kirkland and the Eastside and now offers a wide array of visual arts classes and contemporary art exhibitions, all within the historic landmark Peter Kirk Building.
● Participate in Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Accessibility initiatives throughout the organization.
● Drive brand, marketing and communications strategy and implementation for the organization as a whole.
● Develop overall strategic, multi-channel marketing plans to increase enrollment, fundraising outreach, gallery attendance and community engagement.
● Collaborate with leadership, education, development, and gallery teams to uncover insights, develop, and implement marketing strategies for continuing and new offerings.
● Continually measure and report effectiveness of current strategies and iterate to improve engagement.
● Oversee the marketing department; manage contractors and relationships with vendors as needed.
● Build short and long term project plans; complete creative briefs for major projects, and collaborate with stakeholders to achieve mission and financial goals.
● Build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners such as vendors, press, and city officials to better achieve organizational goals.
● Develop public relations messaging and critical talking points for organizational leadership for in-person and virtual announcements and transitions; prepare staff members to represent KAC publicly prior to events or engagement opportunities.
● Lead graphic design efforts and copy writing for all organizational needs and campaigns, including contractors.
● Event management, alongside other KAC teams, particularly the annual fundraising event.
● Lead organization-wide calendaring and communications, unifying education, development, and gallery departments.
● Identify, follow, and report on a marketing budget for each fiscal year.
Duties & Responsibilities
● Lead the development of multi-channel marketing plans to create an effective and efficient marketing strategy focused on both revenue goals and mission goals, by working closely with leadership, programming, and fundraising teams, as well as contractors and vendors.
● Spearhead strategic and tactical execution of marketing campaigns across multiple marketing channels, including social media.
● Manage conception, development, and implementation of marketing plans and strategies, programming concepts, promotions, and events to drive interest, sales, donations, and participation.
● Hold regular meetings with department heads to review schedules, resolve bottlenecks or other challenges, present possible solutions, and eliminate communication barriers and gaps.
● Establish qualitative and quantitative goals and KPIs for campaigns, initiatives, and events.
● Provide all marketing collateral – print and digital – as appropriate for on and offsite use.
● Lead efforts to obtain and share storytelling that advances KAC’s mission and goals
● Manage website including content management, regular updates, and continuous improvement.
● Oversee multi-channel marketing efforts, including but not limited to: email marketing, social media marketing, and online advertising
Our Ideal Candidate
We are seeking an individual with a passion for the arts, a demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and a strong desire to grow within this critical role. Kirkland Arts needs people who value a growth mentality—people who are willing to do things differently, to test things out, and to fail and try again. We hope to find a collaborative leader who is curious and can lead people with empathy, while being vulnerable and authentic. The Marketing Manager will also consistently demonstrate our shared values of trust, transparency, recognition, integrity, and cross-cultural respect and sensitivity. We are looking for a skilled interpersonal communicator who can work effectively with the Executive Director, programming staff, and fundraising staff to ensure information sharing and collaborative internal and external communications. The Marketing Manager will also advise the Executive Director and board leadership about internal and external communications needs. The Marketing Manager is excited by and fluent in visual, design, and verbal languages. They will need to be a nimble and creative leader who models compassion, patience, strong interpersonal skills, and a sense of humor.
Skills and Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, or communications, or commensurate relevant professional experience
● Successful track record in delivering marketing campaigns with quantitative results
● Fluent in visual, design, and verbal languages
● Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
● Experience with digital and print marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing
● Experience with managing events and projects
● Proven ability to plan and manage budgets
● Experience with managing vendor and partner relations
● Demonstrated strength in written and oral communication
● Demonstrated commitment to values of diversity, inclusion and equity.
● Demonstrated ability to work well and collaboratively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and heritages
● Proficiency with:
○ Email marketing platforms (Constant Contact a plus)
○ WordPress and website management
○ InDesign, Canva, or similar software
○ Adobe Creative Suite
○ Little Green Light (Donor Management) a plus
○ Copywriting and editing
The strongest candidates will have direct experience within the arts community, which can be in a combination of volunteer, academic, or professional capacity, with enthusiasm about advocating the importance of the arts to our communities.
Hours, Location & Conditions
Kirkland Arts Center is based in Kirkland, Washington. Our team works in the historic Peter Kirk Building. The Marketing Manager is required to work primarily onsite, with some flexibility.
Weekly hours: 40, exempt
Compensation: $57,000-$62,000 per year, depending on experience
Benefits: Kirkland Arts Center benefits include: medical and dental insurance, generous PTO, one free art course per quarter ($2000 value), free parking, and relevant professional training.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should submit to employment@kirklandartscenter.org with subject line ‘Marketing Manager” all of the following.
1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. Diversity Statement
4. 3-5 samples of graphic design
5. 3-5 samples of copy writing or press release writing
First review on Monday, February 06, 2023.
Open until the position is filled.
KAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences within our staff, students, and governing institutions. Candidates with diverse backgrounds, such as those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color and/or LGBTQ+, are encouraged to apply.
