Communications Associate
hace 22 días
Saugatuck
Job DescriptionSalary: $26.00/hour Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists Residency (Ox-Bow) is an artist-built community dedicated to preserving time and space for arts education, research, practice, and connection for artists at every stage of their journey. The Communications Department is grounded in ethical storytelling and celebrates this purpose by sharing authentic stories about our organization and the people who contribute to its magic. It is one of the most powerful tools for engagement and for building a strong, passionate community excited about the future of Ox-Bow. Ox-Bow seeks a creative, proactive, and strategic Communications Associate to help shape and share the story of Ox-Bow through thoughtful marketing and community engagement. This role blends strategic planning and hands-on executionideal for a communicator who enjoys both crafting a message and bringing it to life across platforms. Working closely with the Communications Director & Head Designer, the Communications Associate will develop and implement marketing strategies for Ox-Bows academic and residency programs, Ox-Bow House (retail and gallery space), and public and fundraising events. This position requires a strong storyteller with a deep understanding of marketingsomeone eager to take ownership of projects, generate ideas, and contribute to building Ox-Bows visibility and community presence across the Midwest and beyond. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Program Marketing and Recruitment • Co-develop and implement targeted marketing strategies that promote Ox-Bows courses, residencies, and seasonal workshops to students, artists, and lifelong learners., • Manage digital campaigns and audience segmentation, to ensure that communications align with enrollment and recruitment goals., • Create and distribute email newsletters, social media content, and website updates that effectively connect audiences to Ox-Bows programs., • Track and analyze campaign performance, using data insights to inform future strategy and optimize outreach. Retail and Event Marketing • Lead marketing and communications efforts for Ox-Bow House (retail and gallery), exhibitions, and public events., • Collaborate across teams to develop promotional materials, cross-promotions, and digital engagement plans that grow attendance, sales, and participation. Creative Content and Storytelling • Identify, write, and edit compelling stories that highlight Ox-Bows artists, students, faculty, and community., • Develop content for digital and print platformsincluding features, interviews, and campaign copythat captures Ox-Bows unique voice and purpose., • Uphold ethical storytelling standards that center authenticity, inclusion, and respect for all contributors. Digital Engagement and Community Building • Manage day-to-day social media presence with a focus on engagement, responsiveness, and community dialogue., • Foster meaningful relationships with audiences by highlighting diverse perspectives and encouraging participation in Ox-Bows programs and events., • Monitor digital analytics to measure impact and refine engagement strategies. Project Coordination and Collaboration • Co-maintain communications tools such as the story bank, asset library, and editorial calendar to keep marketing efforts aligned and organized., • Collaborate with the Communications Director and cross-departmental teams to ensure consistency in messaging and timing across all initiatives., • Use the departments project management system to track progress, manage tasks, and uphold deadlines across campaigns., • Stay informed on trends in arts marketing, creative recruitment, and digital engagement to bring fresh ideas to Ox-Bows communications efforts., • Provide on-site communications support for select events as needed, such as capturing content or coordinating with staff during public programs. Education/Job Experience/Certification • Bachelors degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Arts Administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience., • 24 years of experience in marketing, communications, or a related role; experience in arts, culture, higher education, or nonprofit sectors strongly preferred., • Demonstrated experience managing email marketing campaigns and audience segmentation using Mailchimp as a CRM to deliver targeted communications., • Proficiency with social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, etc.) and website content management systems (e.g., Squarespace)., • Experience creating content and supporting promotional initiatives for events, programs, or exhibitions., • Experience with community engagement or audience development in cultural or nonprofit organizations preferred. Special Knowledge and Qualifications • Deep commitment to Ox-Bows purpose and values., • Background or familiarity with art, art history, or contemporary arts practice., • Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives for diverse audiences., • Proficiency with office productivity tools such as Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and transcription or note-taking software (e.g., Otter.ai)., • Basic photography, video, or graphic design skills, including familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Adobe Express) or similar tools., • Experience interpreting digital metrics and reporting tools to assess engagement, campaign performance, and audience growth., • Excellent organizational, project management, and time-management skills; ability to juggle multiple campaigns, content pipelines, and deadlines., • Collaborative mindset; ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including programming, development, retail, and design., • Commitment to ethical storytelling, equity, and inclusion in all communications., • Comfortable using project management tools (e.g., ClickUp) to coordinate tasks, timelines, and workflows across teams., • Knowledge of recruitment, audience engagement, and digital marketing strategies for higher education or nonprofit arts organizations. Physical Demands and Work Environment: • Physical Demands:, • While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time and be able to move about in an indoor environment., • Operate computers, tools, and vehicles, and must have the ability to use hands to move, set up, adjust, assemble, control, operate, or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms., • Constantly communicate and exchange information with team members, and must be able to effectively communicate correct information with vendors., • Read/comprehend, write, communicate orally, reasoning, analytical abilities, and mental flexibility., • Frequently move objects up to 25 pounds., • The employee will occasionally climb, bend, squat, kneel, crouch, and reach above the shoulder., • Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus to compare and distinguish administrative data., • Hearing ability to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking level with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make discriminations in sound., • Work Environment:, • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly working in an indoor office work environment., • Requires wearing common protective and safety equipment., • Position may involve extended work hours, weekends, and holidays, • Travel:, • Occasional travel to Ox-Bow Campus and Ox-Bow House required Working At Ox-Bow Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists Residency, founded in 1910, offers a wide range of opportunities for artists at all stages of their careers. Our campus is nestled on a peninsular interdunal wetland in Saugatuck, Michigan. With programs that target degree-seeking students, professional artists, and those new to the field, Ox-Bow builds a supportive frame in which artists can push their practices in new directions. Ox-Bows community is expansive and ever-evolving. Working at Ox-Bow is a unique experience. Our staff consists of both year-round and seasonal positions. Some staff live on campus during their working months, while others commute or work remotely both within the state of Michigan and beyond. Working at Ox-Bow is working at the intersection of education, hospitality, and culture. Together we seek to create a welcoming environment that nurtures the creative process while building community across generations, career stages, disciplines, and identities. With over 100 years of arts education behind us, we have a vast community of alumni, including staff, students, resident artists, faculty, and community supporters, who love and care for Ox-Bow. Working at Ox-Bow is to become part of that community, and help sustain a historic non-profit arts organization for current and future generations of artists and art lovers. At Ox-Bow we have a vision to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, lend their creativity, and work in support of an evolving, yet historic, art school. We pride ourselves on thinking and acting creatively, and recognize that part of what makes us a unique place for both our staff and students, is the talent and dedication of our employees. Ox-Bow is committed to diversity and inclusion, we believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, and national origin and work to reflect that in our classrooms, programming, faculty, staff, and board. Equal Opportunity Employment Ox-Bow is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for its students, visitors, faculty, and staff, and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on an individuals abilities and qualifications. Ox-Bow does not tolerate unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or former military status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, in its programs and activities, public accommodations or employment practices. This role will work an average of 30 hours per week and must be located within 100 miles of Saugatuck, Michigan to occasionally commute to Ox-Bow Campus and Ox-Bow House. Applications submitted by January 25, 2026, will receive full consideration. Review of applications will begin shortly after that date, with interviews anticipated to start the week of February 9, 2026.