Director of Marketing and Communications (HR Title: Mngr, Marketing Communications)

Director of Marketing and Communications (HR Title: Mngr, Marketing Communications) - **(MEA00000156)**Description Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Meadows Museum houses one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Spanish art, with works dating from the tenth to the twenty-first century. It includes masterpieces by some of the world’s greatest painters: El Greco, Velázquez, Ribera, Murillo, Goya, Miró, Dalí, and Picasso. Highlights of the collection include Renaissance altarpieces, monumental Baroque canvases, exquisite Rococo oil sketches, polychromed wood sculptures, impressionistic landscapes, modernist abstractions, a comprehensive collection of the graphic works of Goya, and a select group of sculptures by major twentieth-century masters—Rodin, Maillol, Giacometti, Moore, Smith, and Oldenburg.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Director of Marketing and Communications (DMC) leads the museum’s overall marketing and communications strategy, amplifying the museum’s mission, reputation, and identity. This position will focus on the big picture of the museum’s brand by managing the conceptualization, development, and implementation of marketing and PR campaigns to increase visibility and build upon the museum’s international reputation. It is responsible for the development and execution of brand management, communications, and social media. Under the direction of the Deputy Director, this position will devise and implement strategies to promote the museum, its exhibitions, collection, public programs, and educational initiatives, as well as engage SMU and North TX community. The DMC supervises any positions/internships, employed or contracted, that are directly involved with museum marketing and communication. This position will manage one direct report.

Essential Functions:

• Develop an annual marketing and communications plan and budget with strategic audience and revenue goals, and report progress against goals, expense forecasts, and the success of specific campaigns throughout the year. Lead the creative direction, development, and production of all marketing campaigns and collateral, meeting all deliverable deadlines. Create excitement about the Meadows Museum in our community through effective messaging, compelling campaigns, and innovative, engaging social media storytelling.
• Develop an annual public relations and media campaign, oversee and manage the entire PR strategy and team, make strategic decisions and align PR efforts with the Museum’s overall goals. Establish and maintain relationships with relevant journalists, influencers, and media outlets locally, nationally and internationally; oversee local and international PR associates, in addition to press visits, photocalls and film requests.
• Responsible for the website and all social media channels, and is the “owner” of the Meadows Museum brand, ensuring that our graphic identity is consistently employed and that our messages and imagery are positive, consistent, and effective across all channels. Social media is a critical component to the museum’s marketing strategy. The DMC’s scope of responsibility includes social media and appropriate content generation.
• Work with colleagues and stakeholders across disciplines to develop both traditional and unconventional campaigns as effective means of attracting visitors, members, and donors to the museum.
• Responsible for working with an outside freelance designer to create all interior and exterior signage, advertising, and all other paid media, as well as museum and exhibition collateral. Develop, review, secure approval for, and manage contractual or other agreements/ relationships with outside designers, web service providers, technical experts or other talents with whom we work on a contractual basis.
• Ensure that marketing and PR functions are integrated and aligned, using media across channels to maximum effectiveness within the museum and across campus. Partner with and advise Membership on direct mail, eblasts, and all associated member outreaches.
• Along with other Museum departments, the DMC will lead in community outreach and partnership efforts with fellow cultural institutions, civic entities, non-profits and corporate partners to amplify the museum’s role within the culture activity of DFW.
• Develop and implement performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and initiatives. Provide regular reporting to the Deputy Director on strategy outcomes, key performance indicators (KPIs), and return on investment (ROI). Monitor and manage the marketing budget, track expenditures, and recommend annual budget adjustments based on performance data and strategic goals.
• The DMC oversees and partners with the Museum Marketing Partner.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Occasional evening/weekend hours may be required to attend museum opening and events.

Qualifications Education and Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master's degree in marketing, communications, advertising, public relations, business, is preferred.

A minimum of five (5) years of work experience in social media, digital and print communications, advertising, or marketing is required. Previous experience supporting marketing initiatives in the arts is strongly preferred.

A minimum of one (1) year supervisory experience is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills and a strong customer service orientation.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. Organizational and planning skills, project management, and attention to detail are essential.

Candidate should be able to communicate sensitively and effectively to diverse audiences, fostering goodwill among the museum's many members and guests and generating excitement about the museum’s activities.

Candidate ability to exhibit and lead with good judgment is necessary.

Candidate must be comfortable presenting information to Board members, donors, media contacts, external partners, and the university's social, business and civic leaders.

Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and top social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and X). Familiarity with mass mailing applications (such as Constant Contact), WordPress, HTML, and CRM applications (such as Altru) is a plus.

Candidate ability to speak Spanish is highly preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend, crawl, stand
• Reach above shoulders
• Carry/lift 25 lbs.

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by April 24, 2026

Application deadline is May 15, 2026

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-DallasJob: Marketing and CommunicationsOrganization: Meadows School of the ArtsSchedule: RegularShift: StaffEmployee Status: Manager with Direct ReportsJob Type: Full-timeJob Level: Day JobTravel: NoJob Posting: Mar 27, 2026, 9:43:21 AM