Chief of Communications

US Government Other Agencies and Independent Organizations•Washington, DC

36d•$201,123 - $207,500•Remote

About The Position

The National Gallery of Art is seeking a highly experienced Chief of Communications to develop and lead its institutional communications strategy. This visionary and dynamic leader will help advance the National Gallery's mission across the country. The Chief of Communications will provide strategic communications counsel; manage the Communications team; collaborate with peers in internal communications and marketing; and develop and implement comprehensive communications plans.

Requirements

You must be a United States Citizen.
This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements.
For this positions you must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 in strategic communications, preferably within a museum, cultural institution, or large nonprofit setting.
In addition to meeting the specialized experience statement listed above, applicants must address the following mandatory qualifications separate from their resumes. Statements must provide specific examples that address relevant experience, accomplishments and evidence that you possess demonstrated superior technical qualifications. You will not be considered for this position if you fail to submit qualification statements specifically addressing each mandatory technical qualification requirement. Your responses to the MTQs will be evaluated based on how clearly and concisely you emphasize your level of responsibilities, particularly, the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues addressed; and the results of actions taken.
MTQ 1. Please describe your experience developing and executing press and media communication strategies.
MTQ 2. Please describe your experience working collaboratively across departments and functions (e.g., brand, social media, internal communications) to ensure coordinated activities.
MTQ 3. Please describe your experience with crisis communications.
MTQ 4. Please describe your experience building the national profile of an institution or company. What elements were most critical and which tactics were most effective?
MTQ 5. Please describe prior experience in the arts or non-profit fields
You are required to submit separate narrative statements for each MTQ to receive consideration for this position.

Responsibilities

Strategic Thought Leadership: Develop and implement communications positioning strategies and overarching plans aimed at enhancing national recognition and institutional awareness. Partner closely with leadership in shaping the National Gallery's narrative and identity, including developing and supporting institutional messaging, executive leadership remarks, talking points, Board relations, partner relations, and correspondence with members of the press.
Strategic Alignment: Ensure alignment of communication strategies with institutional strategic priorities, effectively translating organizational objectives into cohesive and impactful communication initiatives. Collaborate with senior leadership team members to design and execute an annual institutional communications approach aligned with the institution's impact strategy and annual strategic goals for impact and audience reach.
Executive Counsel and Crisis Management: Anticipate and prepare for any potential reputational threats, including proactive crisis mitigation and reactive crisis communications. This will include leading media training for key staff; preparing briefing documents and leading briefing sessions ahead of key interviews or events; developing key messages and Q&As as needed. Working collaboratively across the institution, including with the Secretary General and Executive Leadership team, to create and maintain a strong crisis communications protocol.
Public Relations: Proactively lead and coordinate the National Gallery of Art's national and global media relations efforts for exhibition and institutional campaigns; strategically manage its reputation on a global scale to maximize impact. Oversee public relations and media campaigns to tell compelling stories, raise the National Gallery of Art's profile, and accurately position its brand, initiatives, and impact. Proactively and reactively engage with local, national, and international media to reinforce the National Gallery's role as the nation's art museum. Actively monitor and capitalize on emerging trends in media and public relations, including digital media and journalism. Establish processes and procedures that will enable "early warning" of potential issues that could impact the institution, or its reputation or brand.
Event Planning: Working alongside members of the communications team, coordinate and plan exhibition and programmatic press previews and press conferences, and other special events that increase institutional visibility and engage the media and key constituencies. Coordinate and facilitate media interviews with National Gallery leadership and curatorial team, as well as official visits of heads of state and other dignitaries. This includes event logistics, preparation of event scenarios, developing remarks and visual aids as needed, and staffing events as appropriate.
Strategic Management: Manage the Communications Department, including overseeing press relations and institutional communications. Establish and uphold best practices. Provide leadership and guidance to departmental staff of publicists, assistants, and interns, ensuring effective collaboration, modernization of practices, and achievement of departmental goals.
Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as a high-level ambassador for the organization; broaden awareness of the organization's programs, events, and experts across key audiences. Establish and oversee high-profile local, national, and international communications opportunities, facilitating platforms for museum leadership to communicate strategic priorities.
Integrated Communications: Collaborate closely with the Audience Experience, Development, and Content Strategy and Branding departments to ensure key messages for exhibitions and initiatives, developed in collaboration with the Brand team, are reflected within press materials and external communications.
Budget Management and Forecasting: Forecast and manage communications and press budgets across initiatives, aligning financial resources with strategic priorities while effectively communicating the team's needs to relevant stakeholders.
Collaborative Leadership: Serve as a central figure, liaising with leaders in external affairs, audience engagement, internal communications, brand management and marketing, content strategy, development, visitor experience and evaluation to help shape comprehensive communications strategies. Direct a range of partners, consultants, and team members to deliver a unified and responsive communications experience. Manage vendor relationships, liaise with internal colleagues and teams, and work with multiple external partners effectively to bring projects to life

Benefits

This is a private funded position which does not confer competitive federal status to the incumbent. The selected candidate will be eligible for the federal government employment benefits package.

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