Director of Marketing & Communications

POSITION PURPOSE

The Director of Marketing & Communications sets, guides, and implements the overall vision for the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM)’s strategic marketing and communications efforts. This role is key to advancing CMTM’s mission, enhancing its reputation, and driving both earned and contributed revenue through compelling, audience-centered storytelling and robust digital and traditional marketing strategies.

With a focus on industry best practices, this position leads the development and implementation of segmented messaging strategies that effectively engage CMTM’s diverse audiences—from families and educators to donors, corporate partners, and the media. The Director plays a central role in shaping the next chapter of the organization’s brand story by leading a comprehensive website audit and brand evolution process, laying the groundwork for a refreshed digital presence and institutional voice.

The Director of Marketing & Communications reports directly to the Executive Director and collaborates closely with the Senior Leadership Team to align communications initiatives with organizational priorities. The Director oversees two staff members, as well as freelancers, consultants, and marketing and communications interns, and leads regular marketing meetings to ensure cross-departmental collaboration and campaign cohesion.

This is a leadership role that requires strategic vision, exceptional communication skills, a deep understanding of digital engagement, and a passion for inclusive, community-driven storytelling. Director-level positions at CMTM are also actively involved in the day to day operations of the organization. The ideal candidate will be both a strategic, creative thinker and a data-informed decision-maker, energized by the opportunity to join a team of “do-ers” to champion CMTM’s mission from the inside out.

POSITION SUMMARY

• Execute strategic multimedia strategies that strengthen CMTM’s mission, brand objectives, and community partnerships.
• In collaboration with other staff, produce and publish brand-aligned content across communications channels that engages key stakeholder groups—including CMTM members, theatre audiences, visitors, individual/corporate/foundation prospects and donors, government officials, journalists, editors, other media representatives, and community partners—to enhance institutional reputation, foster engagement, and build community.
• Oversee the functioning, accuracy, and appearance of CMTM’s website to ensure continuity of business operations and alignment with evolving audience needs.
• Lead a comprehensive website audit and brand evolution initiative to position CMTM for its next phase of growth, laying the groundwork for a refreshed digital presence and storytelling framework.
• Lead a rigorous media relations initiative to grow and maintain the reputation of CMTM and its initiatives, including greeting media and welcoming them during occasional after hours events, including weekends and early mornings.
• Drive targeted marketing efforts that encourage diverse audiences to engage with museum admission, theatre performances, special events, giving opportunities, and educational programs.
• Develop and implement segmented marketing strategies tailored to the unique behaviors, values, and communication preferences of various audience groups; continuously assess and adjust strategies using data and storytelling to deepen impact.
• Provide strategic oversight and marketing support for all major friendraising and fundraising events (After Dark Halloween, Imagination Ball, and others), ensuring strong alignment with CMTM’s brand and communications goals.
• Champion the organization’s brand as a lead internal and external ambassador—ensuring brand integrity across platforms, building buy-in across teams, and inspiring staff to represent the brand consistently and authentically.
• Support the creation and use of templates, systems, and internal training that empower staff to implement brand guidelines and uphold institutional messaging.
• Create and maintain relationships with key external partners, including media representatives, paid contractors, designers, photographers, videographers, and co-marketing collaborators.
• Guide institutional response during sensitive or high-stakes situations, including supporting the Board and Executive Director in preparing for and navigating crisis communications.
• Participate in select Board committees, contributing communications strategy, marketing insight, and audience engagement expertise to support institutional planning and governance.
• Support CMTM’s Strategic Plan and Goals.
• Perform other duties as identified including weekly forward-facing support such as floor checks.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• A minimum of five years of experience in a leadership role working in nonprofit marketing and communications or related experience, including crisis communications;
• Successful track record with designing and executing strategic multimedia campaigns that meet objectives;
• Demonstrated excellence in writing for multimedia platforms;
• Track record of successfully placing news or feature stories in local, regional, or national media outlets;
• Well-versed in digital marketing strategies, initiatives, and tactics;
• Strong experience in audience segmentation and tailoring digital marketing strategies, messaging, and storytelling to engage diverse audiences across multiple platforms;
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with board committees and organizational leadership to align communications with institutional goals;
• Serves as a passionate brand ambassador—championing and embodying the organization’s mission, vision, and voice across all touchpoints, and inspiring staff and stakeholders to do the same;
• Experience with Google Suite, Microsoft Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Squarespace (or comparable website builder), Constant Contact (or comparable marketing platform), Blackbaud/Altru (or comparable CRM) and project management software;
• Demonstrated experience with producing a broad range of visual assets (photographic and video) for social media and other platforms;
• Excellent project management, time management, and personnel management skills;
• Proven track record of making data-driven content decisions with engagement analytics/metrics;
• Understanding of the unique needs of family and child-focused audiences;
• Professional experience in marketing Theaters, Science Centers, and/or Museums preferred;
• Flexibility, creativity, and willingness to work in a changing and growing environment.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Passion for CMTM’s mission and values;
• Absolute team player;
• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to planning and problem-solving;
• Capacity to be nimble and adapt to the organization’s needs;
• Must be highly professional in serving as a public representative of CMTM with members of the media, corporate partners, and others;
• Organized with a keen attention to detail;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across departments and with stakeholders at all levels;
• Comfortable working with diverse forms of communications technology;
• Creative problem solver;
• Committed to inclusive storytelling and respectful engagement with diverse audiences and communities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF WORKPLACE / ROLE

• The position requires a combination of computer work, interpersonal meetings, and occasional event set-up and event staffing.
• Work within a clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated facility.
• While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to see, talk or hear.
• The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

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This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Organization reserves the right to change this position description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Organization may deem appropriate.

SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday, typically 9-5.

LOCATION

Hybrid: up to two days of work from home offered per week; three days per week at CMTM.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, exempt position.

Salary: $75,000 / year plus $10,000 annual benefit pay which can be used toward a cafeteria plan of benefits including health insurance (2 options, HSA & HMO) dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short & long-term disability, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, 403b (retirement) plan, HSA, and/or FSA (medical & dependent care) contributions. Benefit pay may also be taken as income in lieu of benefits.

Additional benefits include:

• annual free membership (for yourself or to give as gift)
• monthly free admission passes
• snacks, tea & coffee are available daily onsite
• staff events such as outings, parties, and lunches

CMTM has an equitable system of pay that offers a base rate based on position, longevity pay increases over time. This system is designed for equity and as such we do not have the ability to negotiate the compensation listed above.

HOW TO APPLY

Each applicant is required to email a resume, Museum & Theatre employment application, and letter of interest.

Each applicant should answer the following questions in their cover letter:

“What experiences in the past five years have prepared you for this position”

CMTM Employment Application can be found at https://www.kitetails.org/jobs

Applications accepted via email to hiring@kitetails.org

Application Deadline: July 15, 2023, or until a candidate is found

CMTM encourages candidates to apply even if they do not meet every single requirement above. At CMTM, we enjoy helping individuals grow professionally. If this role excites you and your past experience has some alignment with these qualifications, we encourage you to submit an application.

ABOUT CMTM

At the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, we set the stage for every child to imagine and learn through play.

We value Belonging.

Everyone belongs at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. We believe each person has value and worth; we celebrate what makes each of us unique and what binds us together as a strong community

We value Play.

We embrace the power of play to build resilience, spark creativity, and ignite a child’s imagination. Play inspires our work, our physical spaces, our storytelling, and our learning experiences.

We value Community.

We center community in all we do. We strive to be an inclusive partner and resource in order to build strong, lasting relationships.

We value Curiosity.

We believe curiosity inspires children to explore, build empathy, and connect with others. Learning fueled by curiosity leads to a deeper understanding of self and the world around us.

We value Trust.

We provide safe, inclusive experiences and spaces to ensure that the community’s trust is earned and upheld in all that we do.

The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is an equal opportunity employer.

We value diversity amongst our team and leadership. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, disability status, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

We are committed to making our facilities and programs accessible and safe for all members of our community, staff, and volunteers. We are actively working to increase accessibility and usability of our website, building, and educational activities. Supervisors work collaboratively with employees to make accommodations and modifications to accommodate the employee’s needs, including physical changes, assistive technologies, accessible communications, and policy enhancements. In doing so, we adhere to the available standards and guidelines and, in many cases, go beyond the guidelines to uphold our philosophy that our staff should have a safe and welcoming work environment where they can learn and grow. For a full description of our facility’s accessibility, please visit: www.kitetails.org/accessibility