"Director of Marketing and Communication (Schwarzman Center)"

Overview

Yale Schwarzman Center is a commons for university life where art, culinary, and wellness experiences converge to build bridges, nurture creativity, and foster kinship and belonging.

Through unexpected connections and collaborations, and inspired by the Center's architecture, artists and members of the Yale and New Haven communities engage with creativity through programming that ranges from the intimate to the grand.

Reporting to the Executive Director and partnering closely with the Deputy Director, the Director of Marketing & Communications leads the strategic vision, development, and implementation of all marketing, communications, audience engagement, and community engagement initiatives for the Schwarzman Center. This position oversees the Center’s brand identity, digital presence, public relations, advertising, and community engagement strategies, ensuring alignment with Yale’s mission and institutional goals.

The Director serves as a member of the Schwarzman Center’s leadership team, representing the Schwarzman Center to internal and external stakeholders, including, but not limited to, University officials, the Schwarzman Center Advisory Board, and key community partners. The Director supervises both professional and student staff, manages external vendors and agencies, and oversees the Center’s Visitor Services operations, including front-of-house, house management, and ticketing.

For more information, visit https://schwarzman.yale.edu.

Principal Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that aligns with the Center’s strategic plan and advances the mission and visibility of the Schwarzman Center within Yale and beyond.
• Lead the ongoing development and stewardship of the Center’s brand identity, ensuring consistency across all visual, written, and digital materials.
• Oversee the design and execution of exterior marketing initiatives, such as streetlamp banners, building banners, and other large-format installations, to enhance the Center’s public presence and reinforce brand recognition on campus and in the surrounding community.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Executive Director and leadership team on strategic communications, positioning, and institutional messaging.
• Serve as a collaborative partner across Yale’s communications network. Work closely with Yale’s Office of Public Affairs and Communications (OPAC) to ensure alignment with University-wide communication policies, brand standards, and strategic priorities.
• Partner with OPAC to manage media relations, coordinate press responses, and develop effective crisis communications strategies.
• Convene the Communications Subcommittee of the Schwarzman Center Advisory Board. Prepare and deliver reports and presentations for the Schwarzman Center Advisory Board, University leadership, and community stakeholders.

Marketing & Public Relations

• Develop and oversee annual marketing plans and budgets that drive audience engagement and participation across programs and initiatives.
• Manage the Center’s national and regional public relations strategy, including oversight of PR agency relationships.
• Plan and execute advertising campaigns across print, digital, and broadcast media.
• Conduct and analyze audience research to inform marketing strategies and measure impact.

Digital Strategy & Multimedia

• Oversee the design, content, and functionality of the Schwarzman Center website and digital platforms.
• Lead the Center’s social media strategy, ensuring creative, consistent, and data-informed engagement; grow the Center’s social media following.
• Supervise the production of digital media content, including photography, video, and audio for web and broadcast use.
• Maintain the Schwarzman Center Style and Standards Guide and ensure adherence across all channels.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Develop and implement the Center’s community relations and engagement plan, fostering partnerships with area schools, cultural organizations, and service agencies.
• Represent the Center at citywide fairs, festivals, and partnership events.
• Coordinate marketing sponsorships and collaborations that strengthen the Center’s civic presence.

Visitor Services & Audience Experience

• Oversee Visitor Services operations, including front-of-house, house management, and ticketing, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment for all guests.
• Supervise the Audience Services Manager to align customer service, data management, and audience research functions.

Supervision & Management

• Supervise professional marketing and communications staff, as well as student employees and interns.
• Manage external vendors, including design, PR, and media production partners.
• Mentor and train student staff in professional communications and marketing practices.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Proven ability to lead strategic marketing and communications initiatives that engage diverse audiences and advance institutional goals.
2. Exceptional oral and written communication skills; demonstrated editorial expertise across print, digital, and multimedia platforms and experience with press relations, media strategy, and analytics.
3. Strong proficiency in digital tools and platforms, including Adobe Creative Suite, web CMS (Drupal or similar), CRM systems, and presentation software.
4. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment with professionalism and creativity.
5. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively across departments, with students, faculty, staff, and community partners.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

Master’s degree preferred. Experience in arts, culture, or higher education settings. Demonstrated success in brand development, digital strategy, and multimedia production. Experience managing PR agencies and supervising cross-functional teams.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and 8 years professional experience in marketing and/or communications, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills and Abilities

Strong demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and flexibly with a large number of faculty, staff, students, interns, community members, guest artists, and other professionals representing a wide diversity of personalities and cultures.

Outstanding oral and written communication skills. Proven editorial skills across multiple media such as print, web and social media.

Strongly proven ability to manage and prioritize complex work load in a calm and professional manner.

Demonstrated ability with press relations, including local, national, print, online and broadcast media campaigns. Demonstrated skills in areas such as training staff for media events and multimedia projects, as well as analyzing website and social media metrics.

Ability to work nights and weekends when required.