Associate Director for Marketing and Communications

Title of the Job: Associate Director for Marketing and Communications

Location: Washington DC

Job Description: About the Milken InstituteThe Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities, involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.About the Milken Institute and the Center for Advancing the American DreamThe Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD) at the Milken Institute is looking for a creative and entrepreneurial marketing and communications professional to join the external affairs team as the Associate Director for Marketing and Communications. Candidates will be joining the organization at an exciting moment as we near our public opening. The role will report to the Director of Marketing and Communications and will help build audiences through paid and unpaid promotions, including copy writing, design, production, ad placement, tracking and reporting.Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, the Milken Institute conducts research and analysis and convenes top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. The Institute is a non-partisan and nonprofit think tank renowned for convening people with talent and resources to address global challenges.The Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, the newest center within the Institute, is catalyzing this work by building a new type of cultural center in the heart of Washington, DC. At MCAAD we celebrate the ideal of the American Dream and explore the ongoing challenges people face in pursuing opportunity, through exhibitions and public programs. To accomplish this, we focus on four pillars of the American Dream: education, health, finance, and entrepreneurship. MCAAD’s physical home, with a planned opening in 2025, is a remarkable renovation of several 120-year-old historic bank buildings, including Riggs Bank, known as the “Bank of Presidents.” The Center’s main halls are in the National Register of Historic Places, and our stewardship of the property—along with adjacent buildings on 15th St NW—will showcase and honor the history of these buildings while adapting them for use as a modern cultural center with immersive exhibition galleries. There will also be a state-of-the-art theater, events and lecture spaces, a holodeck experience, store and an atrium with café. The six-building complex featuring nearly 300,000 square feet of space will also include a conference center, recording and broadcast studios, and the Washington, D.C., headquarters of five centers of the Milken Institute.About the PositionWe are looking for a dynamic and flexible communications, marketing and audience development professional with a healthy sense of humor to join our growing team. The Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications and the Sr. Director of External Affairs will help increase MCAADs presence, driving awareness and ultimately attendance. They will implement innovative marketing campaigns and will be part of the team responsible for audience development through a variety of communication outreach methods. The work includes placing paid and unpaid promotions, copy writing, design, production, placement, tracking and reporting.MCAAD’s approach to audiences is key to its successful opening and successful and strategic execution of our communications efforts is critical in achieving our goals. This role is especially important in that they will be part of the team that shapes MCAAD’s approach to our brand as well as navigating contemporary events, public opinion, media, and partners during this dynamic time as the Center prepares for opening and beyond. The Marketing and Communications team will support our content offerings and public programs and give visitors new ways of connecting with and being inspired by the American Dream.ResponsibilitiesAudience Development and Engagement Execution

• Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications, execute targeted marketing and audience outreach to engage prospective visitors leading up to opening and beyond. Enacts tactics to reach key audiences, identifying best platforms and ad types, that drives them to visit in person or online.
• Executes tactics in an outreach strategy for multiple stakeholders—including media, partners, donors, communities, families, students, tourists, and the public—leading up to opening for maximum positive awareness and enthusiasm.

Brand Development and Management

• Design and create materials and content including items such as visitor guides, brochures, post cards and fliers. Oversee contractors as applicable.
• Manage brand assets, review brand compliance with internal and external collaborators.

Communications and Marketing

• Purchase and traffic marketing placements for digital and print publications. Collate data and draft reports and track effectiveness and growth of earned media, marketing placements and owned channels.
• Work closely with MCAAD’s Content team, MI teams, and stakeholders to develop ideas from exhibition content into engaging and exciting communications and content. Work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications to create marketing content following internal calendars, taking advantage of public conversations and awareness.
• Create email marketing campaigns, write and edit content, select images, build out content strategy to complement digital outreach.
• Manage media contact lists and inquiries, track media coverage.
• Work closely with teams across MCAAD and MI responsible for fundraising, public programs, special events, visitor services, and others as required.
• Working with the Director of Marketing and Communications, and in coordination with other stakeholders, coordinate media interviews building strong, beneficial relationships with media.
• Draft presentations for stakeholders, the media, and the public when requested. Multi-lingual is a plus.

Communications Special Events

• With a small internal team, serve in a supporting role for communications and marketing for major openings and festivals, including MCAAD’s public opening in 2025.

Requirements

• The ideal candidate will have a can-do attitude, a creative and collaborative approach to problem-solving, a good sense of humor and at least 5 years of experience working in communications, audience engagement, community engagement, or marketing at a museum, history center, science center, or public-facing cultural organization.
• Experience with media placements, social media platform management and growth and developing key audiences.
• A strong background in design and creating branded materials.
• Experience writing for media and marketing audiences.
• Experience placing announcements on third party platforms for a cultural institution
• Creativity and precision on tight timelines, a flair for memorable and exciting experiences.
• Impeccable writing and editing skills.
• Great attitude, entrepreneurial spirit and managing logistics skills are required.
• MCAAD’s topical focus means a background and special interest in its mission and pillars is beneficial: health and science, education and learning, finance, entrepreneurship, plus unique aspects of the American journey (U.S. history, immigration, aspiration and inspiration, advocacy, democracy, civic engagement, community development, and more).
• The ability to quickly develop positive working relationships, support colleagues, be flexible, and thrive in a fast-paced, fun and creative environment is a must.
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Successful completion of a security background check.

Working Conditions & Travel RequirementsWe work in a professional office. The role will require occasional travel to other offices and/or venues as needed. The role will also require occasional work outside of traditional hours.NoteWe are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.This position will work a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in-person to Washington, DC office location (Tuesday – Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change in the Institute’s sole discretion.The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as one attachment. Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.Our CultureThe Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan – 403b (5%)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
• Training & Development:
• LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self-guided classes offered
• Mentor Program
• Wellness Resources:
• Employee Assistance Program
• CALM app membership

Company Name: Milken Institute

Salary:

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