Communications Manager

Job Purpose
The Communications Manager is an integral member of the Museum’s communications and marketing teams, and collaborates within and across cultural, scientific, operational, and administrative departments to fulfill organizational goals and milestones. Specifically, the Communications Manager works to bolster the Museum’s overall reputation; and increase media engagement, social media audience engagement and growth, email lead generation, and web traffic.
This individual keeps abreast of trends and implements compelling digital communications initiatives, with creative and targeted content, to diverse audiences – from the native Hawaiian practitioner on Hawaiʻi Island, to the natural sciences researcher in Europe, to the visiting traveler from Japan, to the family of four in Honolulu planning their Spring Break activities. Together with the Director of Communications, the Communications Manager coordinates and supports the digital presence of the Museum’s exhibits, programs, services, and campaigns.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for serving the Museum’s many stakeholders; the focus and discipline to work independently and remotely; the energy to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment; the initiative and creativity to explore new ways to engage the Museum’s diverse audiences; and the commitment to helping preserve our island homes’ history, culture, and environment. Optimally, the candidate will have work experience in public relations, journalism, and/or online communications in a corporate environment and/or educational institution; is proficient at and enjoys writing; is familiar with digital communications channels; and has a working knowledge of design, photography, and videography / video editing.
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Duties and Responsibilities: *
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Public Relations | Media Engagement | Internal and External Communications

• Support the Director of Communications with the Museum’s public relations efforts, to include reviewing news releases; writing copy; curating content; engaging with media; and reporting on results.
• Assist with developing Museum messaging and talking points.
• Assist with Museum internal communications including employee and other stakeholder engagement.
• Assist with creating and curating content for distribution to media, and other external as well as internal audiences.

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Social Media*

• Ensure that the Museum’s social media channels remain responsive, engaging, and innovative
• Stay informed on emerging online communications tools, social media trends, and overall best practices
• on the social media strategic plan and oversee the Museum’s presence on all social media platforms (including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok), and respond to comments and messages and engaging with fans and followers, as well as partner organizations and entities
• Write copy and schedule social media posts
• Create and implement strategies to increase the number of fans/followers and to increase audience engagement on social media platforms
• As needed, evaluate efforts and advise when social channels should be retired and/or when new channels should be explored

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Email Marketing*

• Coordinate, build, edit, and distribute email campaigns to support general Museum communications and initiatives, including weekly and monthly newsletters, advocacy alerts, event promotions, and automated/triggered messages
• Create and implement lead generation strategies to increase our subscriber base
• Support routine maintenance and cleanup of email list

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Content*

• Assist with managing the Museum’s planning, scheduling, and production calendars for its various channels
• Produce short-form content, including copy, photography, infographics, and video, primarily for public relations and social media, and in some instances to also support other Museum departments/initiatives
• Assist with covering Museum events for broadcast on our various channels. This would involve some off-hours and weekend/holiday work, and may include live broadcasts either via social media or an online video platform (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)
• Assist with project management of communications and marketing-related design, photography, and video projects with both internal teams and external partners
• Contribute to the development of a thoughtful and engaging content strategy for the Museum’s channels

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Reporting*

• Track and provide reports and analytics on social and email conversion metrics
• Coordinate annual and other regular reporting on digital communications and marketing metrics for external stakeholders
• Contribute to the preparation of regular and campaign-specific reports on social, email, and other digital communications performance to relevant staff

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Other*
Additional duties as assigned to advance the Museum’s mission.
Qualifications

• The flexibility of working primarily remotely / from home, as well as in an office setting as-needed, and being able to quickly head to the Museum campus in emergency and/or urgent situations. Please note that candidates must be ʻOahu-based.
• Familiarity with Hawaiian and Pacific culture, history, natural sciences, and environment
• Bachelor’s Degree in public relations, journalism, or communications required
• Minimum three years’ experience in public relations (company or agency) or journalism; alternately, five years’ experience in online communications in a corporate environment and/or educational institution
• Strong communication and writing skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Strong focus to tackle day to day tasks and meeting related deadlines, while also keeping an eye on and managing long-term projects and ongoing campaigns
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external partners on multiple intricate, detailed, and time-sensitive projects
• Demonstrated experience managing large, diverse online communities and global audiences, with the ability to diffuse potential hot-button issues
• Experience with social media and email management platforms and tools
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of programs
• Basic knowledge of design and familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and/or related tools
• Experience with videography, photography, and copywriting for online channels
• Familiarity and basic experience with video editing tools
• As noted above, the ideal candidate will have a passion for serving the Museum’s many stakeholders; the energy to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment; the initiative and creativity to explore new ways to engage the Museum’s diverse audiences; and the commitment to helping preserve our island homes’ history, culture, natural sciences, and environment

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Other Requirements*

• The Communications Manager will share social media management duties which include after-hours monitoring and responding on all channels. During emergency situations, this position will require extended shifts to assist with any and all Museum communications duties as needed
• Flexibility in day to day working hours, as some evening and weekend work is required
• Must have own car with proof of insurance and valid Hawai‘i Driver’s License
• Professional, business-like appearance
• Good attendance
• Experience creating and working with processes and systems
• Applicants for the Communications Manager position will be asked to submit two writing samples based on questions presented in the application, as well as a link to an online portfolio or other webpage showcasing their visual work. These should be submitted to [email protected]

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Hours: *
Full-Time Salary, some evenings and weekends required
Salary:
Commensurate with experience
Deadline to apply:
The application will remain open until the position is filled.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Location: 1525 Bernice Street,Honolulu,Hawai‘i 96817, Honolulu, HI 96817

Job Type: Full-time