Communications Director

Title: Communications Director

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Mgr III

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience

Pay Band: 6

Agency: The Science Museum of Virginia

Location: Broad Street Station

Agency Website: https://smv.org/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Science Museum of Virginia is the marketing agency for science, and that means we need a rockstar to lead our Communications and Marketing team so our “client” gets the loves it deserves. Our next Communications Director is someone who is equal parts strategy and specifics. Someone who is a project manager, problem solver and people person. Someone who is passionate about grammar, convergent tectonic plate boundaries, social media trends and mitochondrial DNA. If this sounds like you, keep reading…

The Communications Director oversees the planning, execution and performance of all communication efforts across the Science Museum’s owned, earned and paid channels in support of the agency’s mission. This includes communication and marketing needs for six entities: the Science Museum, Danville Science Center and Northern Virginia Science Center, as well three separate Foundations that support each respective organization.

You’ll manage the performance of the Communications Team, a group of seven talented professionals who function as an in-house marketing agency to provide planning, branding, advertising, public relations, copywriting, design, video production, website maintenance, animation, social media support and data analysis for the organization.

Before your team can work their magic, you’ll collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to help shape programs, identify potential gaps, troubleshoot issues and strategize the best way to achieve not only programmatic goals, but also agency performance metrics. This role is ideal for a relationship-builder and skilled cat herder who can deftly prioritize needs and seek internal buy-in toward a shared goal of helping the Science Museum fulfill its mission.

As a working Director, you’ll be expected to manage people, budgets and strategy while also owning tactical execution for certain projects such as editing an Annual Report, creating campaign documents or checking IDs at Science on Tap.

If you are a strategic thinker and creative storyteller who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, we invite you to apply!

Benefits

The position offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HRA, HSA, life insurance, 457 and pension plan, short and long-term disability and employee assistance program. The Science Museum has a generous paid time off policy, including vacation leave, four days family & personal leave, eight sick days per year and 13 paid holidays.

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess comprehensive knowledge of marketing, advertising, public relations, project management, economics, and principles of business and public administration. They will have considerable experience with various communication media used to promote education and tourism, along with a working knowledge of museum operations, visitor services, and consumer research. Demonstrated advanced analytical and computer skills, including database management, financial reporting, and web development. Strong data interpretation skills with the ability to draw conclusions and implement action plans are essential. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, as well as presentation and relationship management abilities, are required to successfully build and maintain business partnerships.

The candidate must be adept at managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment and leading the development, planning, and execution of campaigns of varying degrees of complexity. Experience in brand development and implementation is crucial. Proficiency in writing, editing, campaign development and management, and digital communications is necessary, along with experience in design and production processes. The candidate should have a proven ability to manage external vendor relationships and lead a high-performing team responsible for a high-volume workload. A commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential, ensuring that all marketing materials reflect and welcome diverse audiences.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Science Museum of Virginia will accept ONLY online applications for all Science Museum employment opportunities. To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. If the position is an open until filled recruitment; the position will remain open for a minimum of 5 workdays or until the position is filled. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application; therefore, it is essential to provide detailed information. Submitting an application lacking in detail, may impact your interview eligibility. The RMS website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and this position. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date. Computers are available for applying for jobs in public libraries and the Virginia Employment Commission offices.

The Science Museum seeks motivated people of all backgrounds. We value diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, gender expressions, and abilities. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer the Science Museum Welcomes Veterans to apply! We provide hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application or resume.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

The Science Museum will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Contact Information

• Name: Human Resources
• Phone: ‪804.372.3766‬
• Email: hr@smv.org

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.