Summary
Description
History Colorado is seeking a collaborative communication and public relations manager to join
our team of creative and dedicated museum professionals. The Communications & PR Manager
will develop and drive communication strategies that inform and engage diverse audiences and
stakeholder groups with emphasis on History Colorado’s wide range of initiatives across our
statewide system including, but not limited to: Exhibitions and events at our 11 museums and
historic sites, Hands on History educational programs, collections, public programs,
membership, preservation programs and research initiatives.
This is a non-classified, full-time position in the Division of Marketing & Communications,
reporting to the Director of Marketing & Communications and serving at the pleasure of the
Board of Directors.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
- The Communications and Public Relations Manager is part of a team of creative and
dedicated museum professionals responsible for the oversight, planning and
implementation of History Colorado’s external communications, creatively promoting
brand and reputation throughout the region and internationally, and attracting diverse
audiences to History Colorado’s wide array of exhibitions, programs, and activities. The
position serves as the primary contact and spokesperson for History Colorado who is
directly responsible for outreach and relationship building with the press. - This position works collaboratively with a diverse set of stakeholders both internal of,
and external to, History Colorado to plan and implement external communications to
achieve the business goals and objectives; build credibility for and awareness of History
Colorado among key audiences. This includes being a key part of History Colorado’s
Marketing and Communications Department and working with staff associated with:- History Colorado’s 11 Museums and historic sites.
- The State Historic Preservation Office.
- The State Historical Fund.
- The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.
- Various projects and initiatives that History Colorado has ongoing such as:
- History Colorado’s Museum of Memory Initiative,
- Affiliate Network
- Colorado Heritage for All Team
- Black Equity Study
- American Indian Boarding Schools Research Team
- America 250 Colorado 150 Commission
- External partners ranging from departments of the State of Colorado to local and
regional organizations partnering on specific projects and initiatives and outside
agency partners.
- Manage a proactive and comprehensive media relations strategy (local, regional, and
national), to drive outcomes and maximize brand building opportunities. - Develop strategic partnerships with key industry, media, community and cultural
partners. - Be responsive to local news media at all times; most media work occurs during normal
business hours. - Host media onsite and/or at community location as needed to support the story.
- Create specific objectives and execute tactics that are consistent and integrated with
History Colorado’s marketing/business plans to create an avenue for growth in audience,
revenue generating programs, membership and philanthropic support. - Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team and other History Colorado
departments to provide excellent internal and external communications support. - Maintains good working relationships across departments at History Colorado and
ensure active promotion of those departments efforts to:- Achieve business goals
- Raise History Colorado public profile and awareness of the multiple avenues
through which the organization pursues its mission - Increase public trust in the organizations
- Develop History Colorado’s reputation as the official memory keeper of the
Centennial State.
- Make minor corrections to the History Colorado website and ensure its press room page
is up to date. - Create press kits and other support material as needed per project.
- Works with and supervises volunteers and interns in updating calendar listings on
regional and local publications websites. - Attend exhibition openings and other media related events that may occur outside of
normal business hours. - Implement time sensitive public messaging as needed such as snow closure
announcements or crisis communications.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
- A minimum of three years’ experience at the type and level of a Communications/Public
Relations Manager. - Proven experience working with the media, developing integrated communications
plans, and projects, as well as implementing crisis communications and public affairs
tactics. - Excellent interpersonal and public relations skills.
- Proven experience leading communications campaigns and serving as an official
spokesperson. - Excellent writing skills, including a working knowledge of AP Style.
- Approachable, professional and collaborative.
- Poised under pressure.
- Ability to communicate effectively – verbally and in writing.
- Excellent time/work management skills.
- Strong attention to detail and highly organized
- Self-motivated and motivated to help others.
An ideal candidate will possess some or all of the following characteristics and skills:
- Understanding of museum operations and departments responsibilities.
- Knowledge of historic preservation, Colorado history, and historical research methods.
- Experience as a journalist.
- Appreciation for the power and influence of stories as a way of educating, inciting, and
entertaining. - Desire and ability to develop non-transactional relationships with the media and other
external partners. - A growth mindset which pushes them to learn, adapt, and improve practices over time.
- Ability to simplify complex and challenging topics and decode industry jargon to create
engaging descriptive copy.
Additional requirements for this position:
- Ability to work occasional evenings and to travel by car or air, typically for periods of less
than one week in duration. - A minimum of three years’ experience at the type and level of a Communications/Public
Relations Manager. If so, please make sure to substantiate this experience within the
work history section of your application. Failure to do so may result in not moving
forward in the selection process. The words, "See Resume" will not be accepted.
Supplemental Information
History Colorado is committed to anti-racism practices across its institution and outlined in these grounding virtues. As such we encourage members of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) LGBTQ+ and differently abled communities to apply for this position.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application, but will be used to supplement information to the application. Part of the selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.
A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide Human Resources with an official disposition of any charges.
ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete the application. To request an accommodation, please contact Jesus Garcia (303) 866-2136 or email Jesus.l.garcia@state.co.us.
