Description:
The Community Relations Manager has exceptional strategic relationship account management and community outreach skills across multiple sectors/segments with a focus on building and growing relationships on behalf of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The Community Relations Manager works collaboratively with Museum staff, community leaders, and community organizations on long-term, sustainable partnerships throughout the Greater Boston area. They will work in partnership with the Director of Marketing and Communications on community partnerships, community convenings, and engagement and promotional efforts that help fulfill the Museum’s Strategic Plan. One of the priorities of this role is a real desire and knack for identifying, building, and managing relationships that align with the Museum’s strategic goals. The Community Relations Manager will use their extensive experience to build and manage a top-tier database of community organizations and possible partners using the Museum’s preferred CRM system, Tessitura.
Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities
- Identify and evaluate potential community partners that align with Museum’s strategic goals, including researching stakeholders and happenings across Greater Boston. Provide the director with recommendations on a regular basis.
- Manage Museum’s community database via Tessitura; make updates as needed and conduct outreach to develop and strengthen relationships including special partnership promotions and invitations.
- With direction from the Director of Marketing and Communications, develop and implement partnership strategies to help the Museum build and grow within the community including identifying organizations and individuals who might be interested in upcoming events, programs, concerts and exhibitions.
- Negotiate partnership agreements and manage contract processes; develop and manage a dynamic partnership pipeline; manage a portfolio of community partners and organization prospects.
- Identify opportunities for co-marketing and community engagement with partners; work closely with Public Programs, Marketing, and curatorial teams to leverage partnerships.
- Develop decks and toolkits to be shared with new/existing/potential partners to explore possible ways to build and strengthen these partnerships.
- Handle production of regular outreach reports and create an archive for tracking impact tied to partnerships that the Museum has built/participated in.
- Manage invitation process, including community outreach convenings and special exhibition and events in partnership with the Development department.
- In collaboration with the Director of Marketing and Communications, undertake outreach to individuals and organizations within the community to heighten awareness of the Museum’s exhibitions and programs.
- Regularly interact with the various departments across the Museum in an effort to align the Museum’s community engagement efforts.
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with existing partners; resolve any issues or conflicts that arise.
- Provide day-to-day support for the Director of Marketing and Communication and other administrative duties as assigned.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
Required
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the arts, culture, social services, related field, or commensurate experience.
- 3+ years’ experience in developing community partnerships serving diverse populations, as well as experience in event production, community outreach and engagement, and/or arts administration within the Greater Boston area.
- Extremely organized.
- Demonstrated experience building outstanding relationships with a variety of organizations and individuals on behalf of an organization.
- Exemplary research skills.
- Strong ability to work collaboratively and to facilitate collective planning and event design.
- Proficiency with the Google Workspace, Tessitura, and various database management platforms.
- Ability to think creatively about potential partnerships that benefit both the organization/partner and the Gardner Museum.
- Familiarity with all the Museum’s programs and exhibitions.
- Demonstrated understanding of non-profit, civic and community groups.
- Collaborative work style; ability to work effectively with both internal and external audiences.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; ability to create effective proposals and presentations.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays to the extent required.
- Strong understanding of Greater Boston.
- Commitment to advancing the ISGM’s diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) initiatives.
- Legal authorization to work in the United States.