Job Description

Reporting to the Executive Director of Museums, the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s institutional marketing, communications, public relations activities, both external and internal; directing the efforts of the marketing, communications, visitor experience, group tourism and sales, and graphic design staff; and coordinating at the strategic and tactical levels with other departments and functions of the Museums.

The CMO must articulate a strategic vision that aligns overarching institutional brand, audience and marketing goals with specific objectives for general admission, special exhibitions, curatorial initiatives, educational programming, memberships, and events. As a member of the senior leadership team, the CMCO will be a key voice in relation to the museum’s strategy, direction, and operation. This exciting role requires a unique combination of strategic and creative vision, visitor advocacy, data analysis, and leadership skills.

The CMO will participate with the Board of Trustees, Director of Museums, and other senior management staff in charting the direction of the Museums, ensuring its accountability to all constituencies, and ensuring its effective operation. Within the Museums, the position has primary working relationships with director and management level staff, staff of the marketing and communications department, staff of the Executive Office, Art, Education and Public Programs, Philanthropy, Exhibitions, and Finance Divisions, and closely collaborates with the DIgital Strategy Division to align on brand presence across all channels.  The CMO also oversees the work of external media and marketing partners, as well as other specialty consultants.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

1. In alignment with institutional strategic priorities, is responsible for creating, implementing, and measuring the success of an institutional marketing, communications, and public relations program that enhances the Museums’ image and position within the cultural sector and raises awareness of the Museums among the general public locally, nationally, and internationally.
2. Ensures articulation of the Museums’ desired image and position; consistent communication of image and position throughout the institution.
3. Manages brand identity.
4. Drives ticketed admissions revenue ($10.4M in FY25) and ticketed attendance (1.2M in FY25) through a variety of methods including external marketing campaigns, email marketing, and strategic use of audience survey data and research.
5. Develops the image and brand identity for the Museums’ Special Exhibition program to target audiences and to drive attendance and admissions revenue.
6. Oversees the Tourism and Group Sales Program and aligns their goals with institutional objectives. 
7. Collaborates closely with the Museums’ Membership program to align marketing and programmatic messaging. 
8. Connecting to the museums’ strategic plan, builds a long-term audience development strategy; conducts market research and audience engagement strategies to optimize and broaden the Museums’ reach.
9. Oversees division staff; builds and maintains a positive work culture centered around collaboration both interdepartmental and intradepartmental.
10. Oversees the coordination of media interest in the Museums and ensures regular contact with target media and appropriate response to media requests.
11. Acts as a key museum media spokesperson. 
12. Oversees various marketing channels, including email and print; works with outside agencies as needed to develop and implement marketing strategies.
13. Collaborates internally on institutional projects and initiatives, such as special events, anniversary celebrations, DEIA and climate initiatives.
14. Oversees the Visitor Experience department, supporting a world-class visitor experience; ensures overall museum objectives and directives are implemented through the visitor experience.
15. Board liaison to the Marketing Committee.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Business, or related field from an accredited college or university.

Work Experience: Minimum of ten years in institutional and direct consumer marketing required, preferably in a visual arts or similar nonprofit organization. Significant supervisory, managerial, and budgetary responsibility experience; public relations, crisis, and corporate communications experience.                                                                                         

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience and outstanding abilities in strategic leadership, operational management/administration including managing budgets and resources, and skilled at developing effective working relationships within a complex environment as well as with external partners. 
• Excellent speaking and writing skills.
• Ability to function as an institutional spokesperson.
• Experience managing a diverse portfolio of assignments with multiple direct reports.
• Demonstrated success in driving revenue and planning and conducting major marketing, promotional, and public relations campaigns.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with media representatives, the community at large, and special interest groups.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Extensive knowledge of the marketing and public relations methodologies in a large, high profile, nonprofit institution.
• Knowledge of arts and/or leisure audiences in the widest possible context.
• High-level analytical, problem solving, and presentation skills.
• Ability to develop and execute effective long-term marketing and communication strategies.
• Ability to train, direct, supervise, and motivate staff.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility in meeting shifting demands and priorities.
• High level of creativity and an entrepreneurial approach to problem solving.
• Knowledge of and experience in using the standard Microsoft Office programs.

Schedule: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Hybrid schedules typically include at least 3 days a week onsite and up to two days per week working remotely. 

The benefits package includes medical, dental, vision and 401(k), and paid time off.

The annual salary range for this position is $220,000-260,000. The final offer amount within this range will be based on experience and internal equity.

Application is open until filled.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HumanResources@famsf.org.

We recommend all new COFAM employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 but it is not required. Please contact humanresources@famsf.org with any questions.

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COFAM is the Corporation of Fine Arts Museums and is the privately funded non-profit corporation which supports the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, a department of the City and County of San Francisco.

COFAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all phases of employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Comprising the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, we are the largest public arts institution in the City of San Francisco and one of the largest art museums in the United States. The de Young, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and located in Golden Gate Park, showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa. The Legion of Honor displays a collection of over 4,000 years of ancient and European art including Auguste Rodin's The Thinker and houses the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts in a Beaux-Arts style building overlooking Lincoln Park and the Golden Gate Bridge.

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