Employment Opportunity: Communications Coordinator
March 2022
Term: permanent position, negotiable hours ranging between 28–35 hours/week
Salary: $20–$24/hour commensurate with experience, health benefits, and 2 weeks paid vacation
Deadline: applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until a suitable candidate is found.
The Southern Alberta Art Gallery Maansiksikaitsitapiitsinikssin is a leading contemporary public art gallery in Lethbridge, AB. Over the course of forty years, the Gallery has evolved from a grassroots initiative to become a significant participant in the national dialogue on contemporary art.
The Gallery is located on Treaty 7 territory. We honour and acknowledge the Siksikaitsitapii, or Blackfoot Confederacy, who have resided and cared for these lands since time immemorial. We recognize that these lands are also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III, and many other Indigenous peoples.
The Gallery is searching for a knowledgeable and thoughtful candidate for the position of Communications Coordinator. Reporting to the Executive Director and collaborating with the Gallery team, the Communications Coordinator develops and implements all aspects of the Gallery’s communications plan, including strategic marketing, media relations, and internal and external communications.
The Communications Coordinator’s primary objectives are to increase awareness of the Gallery; promote exhibitions, public programs, and community engagement initiatives; attract visitors/patrons; drive membership; and support the Gallery’s fundraising activities.
SUMMARY OF DUTIES
WRITING & EDITING
- Writes clear, concise, and professional copy for a variety of purposes and audiences, including but not limited to press releases; social media posts; stakeholder outreach/engagement letters; thank you letters and acknowledgements; executive communications, etc.;
- Writes copy, drafts reports; edits documents, and provides strategic input regarding communications for staff, the Executive Director, and the Board of Directors;
- Develops story ideas/copy, edits copy, and coordinates the preparation and production of all print, TV, livestream, and digital communications/marketing materials, including but not limited to the calendar of events; catalogues; brochures; event and facility rental materials; media events/coverage; etc.; and
- Oversees the drafting and production of the annual report.
DIGITAL
- In collaboration with the Graphic Designer, maintains website and ensures design, layout, content, and functionality are both current and appropriate;
- Oversees all aspects of digital newsletter design and production;
- Develops and implements social media strategy;
- Manages all social media platforms;
- Tracks audience engagement analytics and compiles reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis;
- Writes, proofreads, approves, schedules, and posts digital content; and
- Identifies and seeks out digital partnerships and opportunities as appropriate.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
- Monitors all internal/external digital, print, and media communications, including press hits/clippings; email open rates; web site visits and analytics; social media stats and analytics, etc.;
- Fosters strategic relationships with a variety of local, provincial, and national industry partners and media contacts (newspaper, magazine, radio, blog/website, TV, podcast, and other digital platforms) and maintains up-to-date contact lists;
- Pitches story ideas to appropriate outlets, responds to media inquiries, and tracks press coverage; and
- Works with tourism organizations, local galleries and museums, and other partners on collaborative advertising and promotion opportunities.
PLANNING, TRACKING, & REPORTING
- Develops annual communications plan to advance the Gallery’s brand; awareness across a variety of platforms (local/provincial/national print, TV, outdoor, digital, social, etc.); donor engagement; strategic stakeholder communications; promotion of exhibitions and public programs; admission/membership drives; gift shop, facility rentals, etc.;
- Proposes goals, plans, and budgets regarding communications and marketing for a range of purposes (attendance; promotion of exhibitions/public programs; special events; the gift shop; membership, facility rentals; etc.) for the Executive Director’s approval, then monitors targets and recommends/implements adjustments as needed to optimize success;
- Develops strategic plans and materials for advertising campaigns and reports on ROI/results;
- In collaboration with the Executive Director and Development Coordinator, coordinates strategic stakeholder, sponsor, and donor-related marketing and communications;
- Compiles data regarding a range of communications initiatives on an ongoing basis and develops succinct reports to track and evaluate relevant trends, budgets, campaigns, marketing/advertising campaigns, etc.; and
- Identifies, develops, and maintains a database of local and regional audience demographics and trends, and uses these to inform the Gallery’s communications and marketing plans.
BRANDING, MARKETING, AND PROMOTIONS
- In collaboration with the Graphic Designer, ensures branding is constant across all media, exhibitions, programs, website, social media, events, etc.;
- In collaboration with the Executive Director, oversees advertising design and production; places ads in appropriate media (traditional, outdoor, online/digital) to build awareness, attract audiences, and encourage participation in programs;
- Reviews and monitors all outward-facing branding, communications, and marketing on an ongoing basis and makes suggestions for changes to ensure consistency;
- In collaboration with the Curator, ensures communications about exhibitions and other artistic programming have appropriate promotional materials;
- In collaboration with the Operations Coordinator, ensures that the facility rental program is promoted effectively and has appropriate promotional materials;
- In collaboration with the Visitor Services & Volunteer Coordinator, ensures the gift shop and volunteer opportunities are promoted effectively and have appropriate promotional materials;
- In collaboration with the Development Coordinator, ensures donor communications, special events, and membership have appropriate promotional materials; and
- In collaboration with the Public Engagement & Event Coordinator, ensures communications about all other programming has appropriate promotional materials.
GENERAL
- Provides communication and design instruction to staff/contractors, and ensures the final product is always professional and polished;
- Coordinates schedules with other staff members to ensure shared deadlines are met;
- Maintains professional relationships with relevant contractors, suppliers, and industry partners;
- Remains familiar with the Gallery’s programming, exhibitions, and operations/policies;
- Attends exhibition openings, public programs, and events as requested;
- Represents the Gallery at meetings, conferences, and professional organizations when appropriate and requested/approved by the Executive Director; and
- Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated interest in working in the arts sector and/or public art gallery environment;
- Experience working in marketing, communications, or media relations;
- Postsecondary degree in marketing, communications, PR, or related field, or equivalent training and/or experience;
- Demonstrated writing, editing, and digital content management experience;
- Excellent spelling, grammar, and punctuation with keen eye for detail/CP style;
- Advanced understanding of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Mailchimp, Later, and LinkedIn’s business functions, tools, and analytics;
- Experience with budget development, tracking, and reporting;
- Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and communications skills; and
- Proficient with Google Drive, Microsoft Office, and Macintosh platforms.
Occasional shifts outside of the position’s typical work schedule will be required throughout the year for exhibition openings, fundraisers, and other events, as required.
How to apply:
Please submit a letter of interest outlining your qualifications to applications@saag.ca. Applicants may supplement this letter with a CV/resume if preferred. Contact information for three professional references will be required if you are selected for an interview.
The Gallery is committed to continually working towards more equitable systems and practices. We welcome applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, LGBTQ2S+, d/Deaf and disabled, and from poor and working-class backgrounds. If you have any questions, feedback, or require support or accommodations to access this application process, please contact Su Ying Strang, Executive Director, at 403.327.8770 x 26 or systrang@saag.ca
