Director of Public Affairs

The Director of Public Affairs at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History plays a key leadership role in ensuring that the Museum fulfills its mission to provide an extraordinary environment to engage youth and families in learning about science, history and natural history.

A member of the Community Relations Center, the Director is responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing the Museum's media relations program, communications plan, and messages.

Reporting Relationships
The Director reports to the Vice President of Community Relations.

Responsibilities
Media Relations

• Develop, coordinate and implement the Museum’s media relations program.
  
• Generate news coverage for Museum’s programs, exhibits and films shown in the Omni Theater.
  
• Secure ongoing favorable and instructive news coverage that conveys the Museum’s mission, relevance and value locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
  
• Screen and conduct background research on news media; maintain current media list.
  
• Develop talking points for key staff to convey to news media.
  
• Participate in media training for key staff.
  
• Develop, produce, and disseminate information to appropriate news media.
  
• Present ideas for stories to the news media in targeted outlets, including daily and weekly  newspapers, radio, TV, magazines, trade journals, online media, and wire services.
  
• Serve as Museum’s spokesperson to the news media when appropriate.
  
• Create editorial content for website.
  
• Supervise volunteers, interns, and/or junior staff.

Museum Communications

• Work with senior leadership and department directors, to create and implement an integrated strategic communications plan responsive to the needs of public affairs, marketing, fundraising, and the capital campaign.
• Review all communications to ensure consistency of messaging and accuracy, including news releases, features, advertising copy, presentations and speeches, brochures and promotional information, fund development collateral, newsletter, web site, and signage.
• Participate in developing public affairs/marketing plans for special programs and exhibits.

Message Development

• Collaborate with Museum leadership to craft messages and talking points to convey value of  Museum to key audiences: staff, trustees, members, funders, volunteers, community leaders, guests and media, etc.
• Collaborate with Museum leadership to ensure consistent use of key messages in newsletters, publications, promotional material, website, fundraising and capital campaign materials, speeches, presentations and other communications.
• Assist in the process of determining Museum’s brand, possibly in conjunction with outside expertise.

Community Relations

•  Support the Vice President of Community Relations in establishing dialogues with Museum constituencies such as neighborhood associations.

Ongoing

• Continue to build and expand relationships with local, regional and national media.
  
• Develop and manage annual public affairs budget.
  
• Manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
  
• Represent Museum in community as required.
  
• Prepare and make presentations and assist others in developing presentations.
  
• Collaborate with staff. 
  
• Interact effectively with volunteers, guests and the media. 
• Build and maintain relationships with all external constituencies.
  
• Initiate and oversee assignments with vendors.
  
• Operate efficiently and effectively. 
  
• Participate in special projects and assignments as requested.
  
• Act in the best interest of Museum.

Educational/Career Requirements
The position requires a bachelor's degree in marketing, journalism, public relations, public affairs, advertising or a related field and five to seven years of relevant experience, preferably with a museum, a not-for-profit organization, an advertising/public relations/public affairs agency or in corporate communications.

Also required are:

• A positive, achievement-oriented attitude
  
• Experience in public relations and media relations
  
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal skills
  
• Personal skills to work effectively with trustees, staff, volunteers, guests, media and general public to promote the Museum and  its programs
  
• Excellent administrative and organizational capabilities
  
• Competent computer and Internet skills

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

TO APPLY: Submit cover letter describing qualifications along with current resume to: 

Human Resources
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
1501 Montgomery Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
fax: 817-255-9354