Senior Director of External Affairs

University of California, Irvine • Costa Mesa, CA

6h

About The Position

The UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art seeks a strategic and creative leader to serve as Senior Director of External Affairs. Reporting directly to the Museum Director, this senior position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive external affairs strategy that advances the museum's visibility, reputation, and audience engagement across local, regional, and national audiences. The Director will lead an integrated team encompassing marketing, communications, graphic design, and social media and digital content, while also providing strategic direction for museum advancement and fundraising. This position plays a critical role in shaping how the Langson presents itself to the world and in building the relationships and public presence essential to the museum's long-term growth and impact.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of current and emerging industry requirements and best practices in areas of marketing.
• Strong skills in strategic planning to effectively organize resources, establish priorities, and achieve desired results, including a proven track record of developing and executing integrated external affairs strategies in a museum, cultural institution, university, or comparable nonprofit or public sector organization.
• Strong skill in managing staff including selection, training, evaluating and mentoring staff at all organizational levels; skill in taking corrective action with staff as required.
• Strong interpersonal communication and political acumen to effectively work with internal customers and external constituencies, including the ability to work effectively within a complex organizational environment, including navigating matrixed or dotted-line reporting relationships.
• Strong market research, analytical, and problem recognition / avoidance / resolution skills.
• Strong skills to produce results and achieve predetermined goals within budget and time constraints, including strong project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and lead multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of applicable University policies and state and federal laws regarding copyright and other licensing issues.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, communications, or external affairs, with demonstrated leadership experience managing staff and overseeing multiple functional areas.
• Must be able to provide proof of work authorization.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working within a university or academic institution, with familiarity with university advancement, development, or alumni relations functions.
• Familiarity with the University of California system or comparable public research university environment.
• Experience supporting or partnering with fundraising and donor engagement efforts in a cultural or educational institution.
• Established relationships with regional and national arts media, cultural organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Experience in crisis communications and reputation management.

Responsibilities

• Developing and executing a comprehensive external affairs strategy that advances the museum's visibility, reputation, and audience engagement across local, regional, and national audiences.
• Leading an integrated team encompassing marketing, communications, graphic design, and social media and digital content.
• Providing strategic direction for museum advancement and fundraising.
• Shaping how the Langson presents itself to the world.
• Building the relationships and public presence essential to the museum's long-term growth and impact.

Benefits

• medical insurance
• sick and vacation time
• retirement savings plans
• access to a number of discounts and perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior