Humanities Washington Director of Marketing & Advancement

Clover Search Works•Seattle, WA

15d•$110,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Humanities Washington is seeking its first Director of Marketing & Advancement, a new senior leadership role focused on shaping how the organization communicates its mission and grows the resources that sustain its work. The director will lead an integrated strategy spanning marketing, fundraising, and earned revenue, helping the organization reach new audiences and establish itself as a trusted voice on the importance of the humanities to civic life and community well-being. Reporting to the CEO and serving on a four-person leadership team, the director will lead brand positioning and marketing strategy, develop new content and audience-engagement approaches, support contributed-revenue efforts, and launch a new earned-revenue line. The director will supervise the Fundraising Manager and hire and supervise a Business Development & Partnerships Manager. The role also contributes to organization-wide strategy, including the 2027 strategic plan. It is suited to a collaborative, autonomous builder who can guide change while honoring the organization’s mission and commitment to accessible programming. Humanities Washington is an independent nonprofit that brings scholars, storytellers, tradition bearers, and communities together to explore shared questions and perspectives. Its programs include public talks, humanities fellowships, family reading programs, the Washington State Poet Laureate, grants and awards, and cultural heritage partnerships. The organization works with partners across Washington and prioritizes welcoming engagement and authentic community collaboration. This is a full-time, salaried exempt position with an expected salary range of $110,000–$130,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The position has a hybrid schedule of three days a week, some evening and weekend commitments balanced by flexibility during the week, and occasional travel throughout Washington State.

Requirements

A strong track record building integrated marketing strategies that increase visibility and grow audiences, particularly younger and newer audiences and audiences reflecting the diversity of communities served.
Fluency in digital and social media, including experience achieving results with limited resources and outside contractors.
Strong writing and storytelling skills and the ability to communicate in a friendly, accessible rather than academic voice.
Working knowledge of fundraising, membership, and earned income, with the ability to partner effectively with revenue colleagues.
Experience growing a diverse base of supporters and making a compelling case for support that resonates across communities.
Comfort using data to guide decisions.
Experience supervising and developing staff.
A results-oriented approach and the ability to hold goals while leading change with patience, listening, and respect for existing strengths.
Confidence bringing current best practices and offering respectful pushback.
Understanding of the humanities and ability to explain their relevance to varied audiences, including skeptics.
Curiosity, empathy, and comfort engaging people across the political spectrum.
Cultural fluency and experience connecting with communities historically underrepresented in the humanities.
Warm, optimistic, genuine relational presence and ability to build trust with staff, board members, partners, and donors.
Strong self-direction and comfort working autonomously in a close-knit, collaborative team.
Willingness to learn Washington’s urban, rural, and tribal communities and build relationships across the state.

Nice To Haves

Background in the humanities or a related field, such as museums, libraries, cultural organizations, or civic communications.
Experience communicating with public officials.
Experience in or familiarity with Washington and its communities is welcome but not required; candidates need only be ready to learn the state and build relationships.

Responsibilities

Lead the organization’s positioning, brand, and marketing strategy, including brand standards, unified messaging, a marketing calendar, and measures of effectiveness.
Establish Humanities Washington as a trusted voice on the relevance of the humanities to civic life and community well-being.
Direct contractors and vendors handling day-to-day communications, allowing the director to focus on strategy.
Increase visibility among younger Washingtonians, the business community, and politically diverse audiences across the state.
Develop video, podcast, and social content from program stories and help create new ways for people to find and engage with the organization’s work.
Travel throughout Washington to meet partners and trustees and experience programs firsthand.
Integrate marketing, fundraising, and earned revenue into a coordinated strategy for stable, diversified revenue.
Support the CEO and Fundraising Manager in pursuing an organization-wide contributed-revenue goal of $800,000 or more.
Partner on fundraising campaigns and the case for support, and explore approaches such as membership.
Develop an earned-revenue line using the organization’s program expertise, including possible company programs, consulting and facilitation, and services for other humanities organizations.
Shape and lead the hiring process for the Business Development & Partnerships Manager and establish realistic, shared goals that uphold the mission and accessible programming.
Supervise and coach the Business Development & Partnerships Manager.
Work with program staff to gather metrics, impact data, and stories that support revenue work, and clarify roles as the new structure develops.
Serve on the leadership team and contribute to organization-wide strategy, including the 2027 strategic plan.
Help colleagues adopt new audiences, earned revenue, and clear goals as part of the organization’s next chapter.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with 90% of employee premiums covered.
Fully paid life and long-term disability insurance.
Optional flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
403(b) retirement plan with an automatic 3% employer contribution and up to a 3% match.
Vacation starting at 10 days and increasing to 20 days with tenure.
12 days of sick and safe leave.
8 paid holidays and a winter break from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.
3 personal holidays.
Hybrid schedule of three days a week.
Monthly internet and phone stipend.