Associate Director, Communications And Content

MASS MoCA seeks an Associate Director of Communications & Content (C+C) with a desire to work in a dynamic, mission-driven, museum environment. The Associate Director of C+C reports to the Director of Communications and Content in support of developing branded communications and content that consistently reflect MASS MoCA’s public voice; raise the institution’s visibility among diverse audiences, and position MASS MoCA as a thought leader in the arts and cultural fields.

The position manages all branded content development, production, and related budget and engages with key stakeholders throughout the museum (curators, creative producers, members of advancement team, etc.) to assess needs, audiences and project timelines. The position is an experienced art director and graphic designer, and manages in-house graphic designers and freelance creatives including videographers and photographers as needed. The position also manages two senior managers in the Communications & Content department to maintain alignment with marketing and communications campaign objectives, audience development goals, and branded content development, while also balancing workflow within the design team.

This is a newly created position to support a critical and exciting time of MASS MoCA’s growth and positioning within the context of new leadership and recently announced 7-year strategic plan. The successful candidate will enjoy being part of a team that takes a collaborative approach to working in a fast-paced, highly adaptive environment. The candidate must match a high standard of institutional design and pragmatic know-how, and work efficiently. Proven experience managing multiple projects and simultaneous deadlines on-time and budget with an eye for design excellence in diverse working groups is crucial.

• Devise and develop original ideas for marketing, promotional and organizational materials (digital and print) in collaboration with members of the C+C team that align with and enhance MASS MoCA’s brand identity, align and incorporate existing artist assets, and drive audience engagement across various platforms
• Be the first point of contact for all internal stakeholder branded content and graphic design requests to the C+C department including visual arts, public programs, The Studios at MASS MoCA, performing arts and advancement to clarify scope, audience and timelines for design projects
• Lead the in-house design team and manage the design process, from concept development to final execution, ensuring consistency and quality in all designed content deliverables
• Supervise the Sr. Manager Marketing, Sr. Manager PR and Media Relations, in-house graphic designer(s) and roster of freelance photographers, illustrators, and animators as needed for creative production for all brand, marketing and documentation needs; supervises their day-to-day duties, and manages their employment, including hiring, terminations, performance management, scheduling, and mentoring
• Stay up-to-date with available talent for commissioning among photographers, illustrators, typographers and videographers through regularly reviewing their books and showreels.
• Present ideas and related project budgets to the Director of Communications & Content for approval and development, and amend the look as needed with key department stakeholders through several stages of concepts and executions
• Produce sketches, visual references and storyboards to convey the concept to project teams as needed
• Be accountable to, maintain, and encourage MASS MoCA graphic, style and editorial guidelines both internally and externally. Create and maintain branded templates.
• Establish and manage project workflow and processes and communicate out to internal stakeholders - proactively communicate timelines and project updates.
• Oversee design elements for MASS MoCA website and other marketing platforms, as well as wayfinding.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or Visual Communication, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 7 years of in-house or agency experience (museum/nonprofit experience preferred)
• Proficiency in both print (collateral, direct mail, advertising) and digital (web, digital display, and social media) content development required
• Confidence and determination to inquire about needed information including the who (audience), what (format) and when (timeline) of each design request
• Art direction and copy editing experience required
• Proven track record of successfully managing a high volume of complex projects within a dynamic organization
• Strong understanding of the creative process, production, and digital file formats
• Photoshop and InDesign fluency required
• Collaborate effectively & efficiently with cross-functional teams and external partners both in person and remotely
• Experience with project management tools to track, organize and share information with communications and content team
• Experience requesting printing quotes and managing production process from concept, through design to final production

Key Attributes:

• Demonstrated leadership traits including empathy, effective communication, accountability, self-awareness, adaptability, and the ability to inspire and motivate others, while making sound decisions and navigating challenging situations with calm and resolve
• Be able to effectively prioritize with strong time management skills and follow-through
• Highly motivated and hardworking, continuing through until goals are complete
• Ability to pair photography with editorial concepts
• Self-motivated, energetic learner
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including proofreading
• Experience with Asana a plus
• Extremely well-organized, goal-oriented and high attention to detail
• Proactive, positive, dependable and able to work in a team environment

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods at desk and in front of a computer. Must be able to wear PPE when necessary. This position may require extended hours, work on weekends, holidays, and for festivals and events.

MASS MoCA strongly encourages employees to be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Minimum starting annual salary: $76,000 (exempt)

About MASS MoCA
MASS MoCA is currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season under Director Kristy Edmunds, not only as the largest, multidisciplinary, contemporary art museum in North America, but also as a creative campus with a regional, national, and global impact. MASS MoCA is one of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art, and is an indispensable home for artists who stretch toward what has yet to be created. From its beginnings as the major textile mill Arnold Print Works in the mid-19th century, to its days as the Sprague Electric Company in the mid-20th century, to its current iteration as a globally renowned contemporary art museum and fabrication center, the 24-acre MASS MoCA campus has a rich history of serving as an economic engine of the city of North Adams and the surrounding region. With vast galleries and a stunning variety of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA is able to embrace art in all forms. For more information visit www.massmoca.org or follow on Instagram at @massmoca.