About the Eames Institute

The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to advancing the dynamic legacy of 20th-century designers Ray and Charles Eames. By sharing the things the Eameses made and loved, along with their joyful and rigorous approach to life and work, we seek to inspire creative problem-solving that positively shapes our world. 

With our vast collections, digital and print offerings, an extensive program of events, and the Eames Ranch, we aim to demonstrate the enduring value of the Eameses’ philosophy and invite people to explore their curiosity, ask questions, and implement creative solutions to the challenges of today.

About the Role

The Marketing & Sales Director is a strategic and operational leader responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing and revenue-generating strategies across affiliated brands within the organization. This role oversees creative, digital, marketing, and sales initiatives and ensures that all marketing and business development efforts align with the organization’s mission, voice, and long-term vision.

The Marketing & Sales Director translates the Institute's priorities into compelling messaging, campaigns, and revenue opportunities that support membership, attendance, earned revenue (venue, retail, and programs), collections visibility, digital engagement, and programmatic growth.

In addition to leading marketing strategy, this role is responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies that generate new business opportunities, particularly for the Institute’s offsite and hosted program offerings, partnerships, and other revenue-generating initiatives. This includes identifying prospective clients and partners, cultivating relationships, and working collaboratively across teams to convert leads into booked programs and events.

The Marketing & Sales Director ensures brand consistency while supporting the unique positioning of each entity within the broader organizational ecosystem. This role operates in service to the entire organization, ensuring that programs and offerings are strategically positioned, effectively promoted, and contribute to the Institute’s long-term sustainability and growth.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Business Development 

• Develop and implement a sales strategy to generate new revenue opportunities, with particular focus on expanding the Institute’s offsite programs and hosted events.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with corporate partners, educational institutions, cultural organizations, conference planners, and event producers.
• Build and manage a pipeline of qualified leads for offsite programs, partnerships, and hosted experiences.
• Work with internal teams to develop compelling program offerings, packages, and pricing structures that support revenue growth.
• Lead the full sales cycle for select opportunities, including prospecting, proposal development, negotiations, closing agreements, and relationship management to encourage repeat business.
• Track sales activity, pipeline progress, and conversion rates and report on performance as well as collaborate with programming and operations teams to ensure seamless delivery of booked programs.

Strategic Marketing & Sales Leadership

• Develop and implement comprehensive annual marketing and revenue strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Partner with the CEO and Chief Curator to articulate and refine institutional voice, vision, and messaging as well as ensure brand consistency across affiliated companies while honoring their distinct identities.
• Translate strategic priorities into measurable marketing/sales objectives and KPIs.
• Manage marketing budgets across entities, allocate resources across campaigns and sales initiatives, track expenses and ROI, and utilize project management systems (e.g., Asana) to keep work on time and aligned with priorities.

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead and mentor three departmental teams: Creative, Digital, and Marketing.
• Establish clear priorities, workflows, and accountability structures.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture across departments.
• Conduct performance management, goal setting, and professional development planning.

Integrated Marketing

• Oversee development and execution of multi-channel campaigns (digital, print, social, email, media, partnerships) that drive awareness, engagement, and revenue. 
• Direct audience acquisition and growth strategies, membership growth and retention, retail and e-commerce, public programs and events, institutional initiatives, offsite and hosted program offerings.
• Establish and track marketing and sales KPIs, monitor pipeline development, lead conversion, and revenue generation from marketing-driven initiatives.
• Analyze campaign and program performance across channels.
• Provide regular executive-level reporting and recommendations.
• Continuously refine strategies based on data, market trends, and institutional priorities.

Required education, skills, abilities, competencies

• 8–10+ years of progressive marketing leadership experience (experience in nonprofit, museum, cultural institution, retail, or mission-driven environments preferred).
• Demonstrated success leading integrated marketing teams.
• Strong budget management and operational planning experience.
• Proven ability to manage multiple brands or business units simultaneously.
• Expertise in digital marketing, brand strategy, and campaign development.
• Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills.
• Highly organized with strong project management capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with operational discipline.
• Collaborative and service-oriented leadership style.
• Ability to balance creative vision with fiscal accountability.
• Clear communicator who can distill complex ideas into compelling narratives.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, entrepreneurial nonprofit environment.

Essential Functions 

• This position is expected to be primarily onsite at our Richmond Archives Office, working Monday-Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, with occasional travel to our other sites. 
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands for typing, writing, and handling office equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry office supplies and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching within the office environment.
• Regular use of vision abilities including close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others via phone, video conference, and in person.

What We Offer 

• Salary range for this role is $165,000 - $180,000
• The Eames Institute offers a competitive benefits package, including…
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
• 401k employer match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Commuting benefits
• Professional development
• Charitable giving match

Benefits are subject to change at the employer’s discretion.

This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. The Eames Institute may change the job duties, including the location and schedule, at its discretion. 

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Eames Institute values diversity, inclusion & belonging for all, and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We strive to create a workplace that empowers people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to feel respected, valued, and able to contribute at the highest level.