LANGSTON seeks Marketing & Communications Manager

LANGSTON is a community-conceived and -designed nonprofit arts organization. Our mission is to strengthen and advance community through Black arts and culture in service to cultivating Black brilliance. We provide multigenerational, multi-genre programming that is responsive to community needs and desires. We promote artistic expression, encourage artistic excellence, cultivate leaders, practice radical inclusivity, and facilitate cultural education and possibility in our practices, policies, and partnerships.

Langston was born from the legacy of the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, a historic institution that served as the hub of Seattle’s Black performing arts community and experiences for over 40 years. Langston is fortunate to be housed and host its programming in this historic building which still exists as a cultural space rental facility. Langston proudly honors this legacy and seeks to maximize activation of the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute through our mission, vision, and values.

LANGSTON’s Marketing and Communications Manager will be the organization’s primary storyteller and will work closely with both the Philanthropy Director and the Program Director to establish marketing strategies to meet organizational objectives and coordinate a range of internal and external communications through a variety of channels.

The ideal candidate will be a team player who is energetic, organized, creative, and self-motivated to help develop and coordinate comprehensive marketing and communications strategies, especially to support and amplify the voices and stories of the Black arts and culture community in Seattle.

The Marketing and Communications Manager will work directly with the LANGSTON leadership and board, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute staff, and various communities and champions to achieve desired goals and communicate progress.

Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations (30%)

• Develop a deep understanding of the LANGSTON mission, goals, strategy, and brand personality.
• Formulate and execute a communications, marketing, and branding strategy that will ensure consistency throughout the organization.
• Increase the public’s knowledge of LANGSTON, especially with Seattle-area, regional, and national political and cultural leaders, including artists.
• Coordinate all marketing and brand communications including fundraising campaigns, programming advertisements, and organizational newsletters.

Programs and Event Marketing (30%)

• Lead communications and marketing efforts as they relate to programming and events.
• Work closely with the Program Director on the marketing and communications for all programs and events.
• Develop marketing collateral for LANGSTON programs (i.e., promotional flyers, programs, etc.) in partnership with our graphic artist.
• Coordinate and execute email campaigns, meeting deadlines, following timelines, and ensuring uniformity of content/messaging.

Fund Development Communications (30%)

• Work on the multi-year fund-development plan in collaboration with the Executive Director and Philanthropy Director
• Assist the Philanthropy Director with securing sponsorships, grants, and other donations.
• Work closely with the Philanthropy Director on the development of fundraising programming and events.
• Manage relevant communications, including advertising, for all fundraising events.

Team Building (10%)

• Collaborate organization-wide.
• Clearly communicate expectations to team members, conducting and documenting regular check-ins that include positive and constructive feedback.
• Continued direct oversight and supervision of communications contractor(s) to ensure proper website updates and graphic design.

Successful candidates will have a majority of the following skills and experience:

• Lived commitment to cultivating Black brilliance and investment in strengthening and advancing our community through Black arts and culture
• At least 2 years experience in marketing or communications, including knowledge of nonprofit operations
• Strong understanding of marketing and communications strategies and tools
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; experienced public speaker
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office and Google Workspace; ability to learn program/project management software
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines on time, strong attention to detail, outstanding organizational skills, and excellent problem-solving ability
• Highly driven and results-oriented
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent customer service
• Excellent writing skills with an emphasis on writing for the web and social media
• Graphic design skills and experience with Adobe Creative Suite
• Some Knowledge of web design, Canva, Mailchimp, and various social media platforms
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $65,000-$70,000. LANGSTON provides comprehensive benefits, including paid time off and health coverage.

This role is based in Seattle, WA. LANGSTON’s office is in the Central District at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. Employees can work remotely, in-person, or a hybrid combination. LANGSTON leadership values employee health and safety and also encourages some amount of time to work collaboratively and to cultivate team atmosphere in person, as it is safe to do so.

Please send your application packet to jobs@langstonseattle.org with the subject line: Marketing and Communications Manager.

Your application packet should include a resume, any applicable portfolio or work samples, and a statement of interest (written not to exceed 1-page or audio/video not to exceed 3 minutes), which answers one or more of the following questions:

• How draws you to LANGSTON’s mission of cultivating Black brilliance and how would you demonstrate it in your marketing and communications work?
• How would your previous experience contribute to your ability to be LANGSTON’s primary storyteller?
• What stands out about your marketing and communications work and why have you chosen this field to invest your talents and skills?

Application review will begin on October 17, 2022 with hiring date to be determined in October/November 2022. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

If you need assistance and/or accommodations during the application or recruiting process due to a disability, please email our hiring team at jobs@langstonseattle.org.

LANGSTON is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO); LANGSTON provides equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to social and economic background, political affiliation or belief, race, color, gender, ethnicity, religion, mental or physical disability, national origin, current and/or former service member status, sexual orientation, health status, age, physical characteristics or marital status, and promotes the full implementation of this policy through a positive, continuing program of inclusion.