Associate Director, Communications

Overview

The Associate Director, Communications develops institutional communications strategies and manages communications projects including: publicity efforts for all exhibitions, programs, events, and institutional needs; press previews; writing press releases and materials; cultivating media relationships and pitching press coverage; managing on-site media production crews; and working with marketing on event and press photography to support OMCA’s photo asset needs. The Associate Director, Communications leads cross-functional communications strategies and meetings, including forecast planning for communications workflows and meetings between executive leadership and other departments.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe following reflects OMCA’s definition of essential functions for this position, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. OMCA may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Museum’s mission, values, vision, and core commitment to the visitor experience, community engagement, and institutional relevancy for the future
• Contribute to and support the OMCA strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity advancement
• Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives
• Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement
• All positions will have core functional responsibilities, cross functional team activation and learning and development as a core function of each role.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESCommunications and Publicity

• Works in collaboration with the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Visitor Experience to create and implement a Communications Strategy that aligns with OMCA’s goals and priorities
• Develop press strategies and messaging for major Museum initiatives, such as capital campaigns, facility projects, or advocacy efforts.
• Manage publicity in partnership with Communications Specialist for exhibition projects, events, and programs.
• Leads crisis communications for the institution in partnership with Director of Marketing, Communications, and Visitor Experience and Director & CEO, serving as point of contact for press inquiries and drafting talking points for internal stakeholders.
• Manages work and relationships with communications agency partners to support timely projects related to crisis communications, national press outreach efforts, institutional storytelling, etc.
• Manages creation, distribution, and publication of press releases, statements, and other timely communications, including executive statements concerning Museum policy and positions.
• Leads strategy and preparation for press previews.
• Leads the development of strategic talking points for exhibitions and institutional positioning
• Aligns messaging with the Museum’s commitment to community engagement, diversity and inclusion, equity and access, while also supporting the sustainability of the institution.
• Manage media relations outreach and press coverage needs, including on-site media visits, interviews with stakeholders, and video/photo shoots.
• Seeks proactive opportunities to utilize OMCA spokespeople as thought leaders in the field, including speaking and awards opportunities.
• Supports internal communications in partnership with HR, including review of executive leadership communications and weekly staff newsletter developed by Communications Specialist.
• Represents OMCA at media events and press tours, locally and nationally.
• Cultivates relationships with key influencers and partners in the field, including local community organizations and arts networks.
• Manage content for press kits and attends project meetings to coordinate content with curators, designers, etc.
• Actively monitors trends and best practices in the field, including media research to grow outreach lists and build new relationships to reach target audiences.
• Actively pitch OMCA stories, programs, events, and collection to media sources with the goal of securing a range of coverage in local, regional, national, and international publications and outlets.

Editorial and Online

• Leads development of OMCA style guide for voice, tone, and grammar.
• Leads and supports internal and external storytelling and communications strategy around OMCA’s anti-racism journey.
• Supports social media content review and video content planning.
• Contributes to cross-department messaging strategy, including content planning for social media, website, eNews, etc.
• Writes and/or edit exhibition and program positioning for external communications.
• Writes, edits, and proofreads various projects institution-wide, including Membership materials, visitor guides, video scripts, school program guides, etc.

Department Support

• Supports Marketing and Communications partnerships, including planning for onsite events and cross-promotion.
• Serves on all major exhibition and project teams that require Marketing & Communications support for cross-functional planning and positioning.
• Leads cross-departmental messaging meetings to support external communications across theminstitution.
• Supports partnership between Oakland Museum Women’s Board Marketing & Communications committee for White Elephant Sale.
• Provides artist relations support when working with outside collaborators on exhibitions and projects, creating guidelines for working with the department.
• Contributes to strategic planning to meet department and center goals, including forecasting and updating the department work flow.

Administration and Management

• Works closely with Senior Director of Marketing, Communications, and Visitor Experience as well asmAssociate Director of Marketing Strategy to determine department priorities, goals, and roadmaps.
• Responds to urgent and timely visitor inquiries in collaboration with OMCA stakeholders.
• Maintains media trainings for OMCA spokespeople to support stakeholders speaking on behalf of OMCA’s exhibitions, programs, and key initiatives.
• Supports fulfillment of all media asset and content requests.
• Manages Communications Department budget.
• Actively updates and maintains best practices and processes to measure Communications KPIs and reports.
• Manages the performance and priorities of direct reports; participate in OMCA’s tri-annual performance management and staff development program.
• Ensures essential information is communicated consistently and in a timely manner within the department, between Centers, and to key partners.
• Supports Communications Specialist in answering email and phone inquiries on behalf of the Communications Office.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE

• 7+ years of related experience.
• 3 years supervisory/lead experience.
• English language proficiency in both spoken and written form; a second language (particularly Spanish or Chinese) desirable.
• Knowledge of media relations tactics and strategy.
• Ability to deliver results, facilitate and influence others and problem solve beyond temporary solutions.
• Proficiency in computer systems, specifically MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and FileMaker), knowledge of Drupal preferred.
• Proficiency in Adobe CS (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Bridge).
• Experience with project management software, eg. Asana.

WORK ENVIRONMENTThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The environment may include:

• Museum environment involves both indoor and outdoor working conditions
• Ability to travel between OMCA locations, and other travel as required by position responsibilities
• Engage with diverse visitor populations for extended periods of time in the galleries or throughout the campus
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

EEO STATEMENTThe Oakland Museum of California is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, accessibility and equity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ability/disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We highly encourage our diverse community to apply for available employment, internship, fellowship and volunteer positions at the Museum, as we aim to ensure our staff reflects the diversity of our visitors and surrounding community. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, OMCA will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

COMPENSATION: $95,510

Application deadline: September 27, 2026 11:59pm