Marketing and Communications Manager

The RMSC (Rochester Museum & Science Center) includes the Museum & Science Center, the Strasenburgh Planetarium, and the Cumming Nature Center. The Manager of Marketing & Communications serves the entire organization and supports all three locations, ensuring a cohesive, compelling brand presence across programs, exhibitions, and visitor experiences.

Under the direction of the Vice President of Marketing & Guest Experience, the Manager of Marketing & Communications assists in the organizational efforts to promote the RMSC locally and regionally. This role plays a key function in advancing awareness, visitation, and earned revenue through strategic, integrated marketing and communications initiatives that reflect the RMSC’s mission and values.

The Manager implements the department’s annual marketing budget and communication plan. This includes strengthening and stewarding the RMSC brand, generating sustained public interest and support for exhibitions and programs, and maximizing revenue through paid admissions, ticketed events, memberships, and other earned income streams. A core focus of this role is to sustain, grow, and diversify the RMSC’s audiences across all platforms and locations.

The Manager of Marketing & Communications collaborates closely with an external advertising and media partner to help develop engaging, integrated campaigns that drive visitation and build long-term brand awareness. This role provides strategic direction for campaign development, ensures consistency and quality of on-brand messaging and visual identity, and evaluates the effectiveness and return on investment of paid and organic marketing efforts across multiple channels. Other key responsibilities include execution of organic social media strategy, email marketing, public relations & media relations, website content and management, and selection/creation of graphic design. The Manager ensures that marketing materials are timely, accurate, inclusive, and aligned with organizational priorities, while also supporting the growth and evolution of the RMSC brand.

This role works cross-departmentally with colleagues throughout the organization to translate programmatic goals into effective marketing strategies, support internal stakeholders, and build a brand experience that resonates with visitors and community partners. This role may also supervise interns.

RMSC CORE VALUES

• Supports the RMSC Core Values of Community, Innovation, Excellence, Lifelong Learning, and Integrity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• RMSC website (CMS) management
• Webpage and event page creation
• Copy edits
• Updates
• Creation of graphic assets and logos for new RMSC event pages
• Develop, manage, and maintain organic social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube for the RMSC Museum & Science Center and Strasenburgh Planetarium.
• Design and/or produce content for organic social media posts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Threads), TikTok and Instagram Reels videos, website graphics, and digital/print materials promoting public programs and events.
• Create and maintain an organic social media content calendar.
• Assist with monitoring and responding to direct messages across social platforms.
• Track and report on social media performance and press hit analytics.
• Develop an understanding of social media communications for the general public in all aspects of RMSC’s work across history, natural history, science, and nature.
• Adhere to the RMSC Brand guidelines
• Capturing high-quality photos and videos for use in digital campaigns
• Create strategic email campaigns with appealing content and designs to communicate the RMSC brand, exhibitions, and programs to RMSC Members and repeat visitors.
• Work with the RMSC fundraising and events teams to create donor-focused and sales content that drives support and bookings.
• Develop and implement public relations and media relations strategies that generate measurable and broad coverage and enhance the reputation of the RMSC (Museum & Science Center, Planetarium, and Nature Center) and its programs in broadcast, print, and digital outlets.
• Manage and continually update RMSC’s press kit, write and distribute press releases/media alerts, pitch stories, coordinate interviews, and create press briefings.
• Serve as a key point person for media and public inquiries and concerns.
• Create, maintain, and grow relationships with local and regional media outlets
• PR crisis management
• Provide media trainings and talking points for key staff
• Plan and manage press previews for new exhibits annually
• Collaborate with local influencers or community partners on co-promotion opportunities.
• Works closely with the advertising agency to produce and deploy both digital and traditional media campaigns.
• Craft campaigns to address the needs of specific audiences and develop media plans in partnership with outside agencies that integrate paid, earned, and owned channels to drive visitation to all three locations
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, PR, marketing, online marketing, business, and/or 5+ years of experience working in PR and marketing.
• Strong writing skills, with the ability to draft, edit, and proofread communication materials.
• Deep social media expertise with Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and an interest in creating engaging, platform-appropriate content (public programming and other public-facing events (e.g., RMSC Council events, adult programs, new Planetarium shows, Collections highlights, etc.)
• A minimum of three years of
• Experience in graphic design and video editing
• Experience in website content management systems such as WordPress
• Experience with email platforms such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, etc.
• Experience with writing press releases and/or media alerts
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working independently while using available resources and tools to solve day-to-day tasks and challenges.
• Non-profit experience is a plus.

Don’t meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women, communities of color, and historically underrepresented talent are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The RMSC is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; stand; bend; climb; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop; kneel; and crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is highly variable. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in close quarters with staff/volunteers, and/or the general public/visitors.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions and does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

RMSC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. This policy expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic predisposition, gender identity or expression, carrier status, domestic violence victim status, veteran status, or status as a member of any other protected group or activity.

Pay: $25.50 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person