Arts and Culture Public Relations Manager

Howard Community College ( HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020.

Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

Reporting to the Director of Public Relations, the Arts and Culture Public Relations Manager develops and implements public relations strategies to build and grow audiences, increase awareness, and promote access to arts and cultural events, activities, and programming at Howard Community College and its Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center. Collaborate on public relations campaigns for key college-wide initiatives as needed. This position also measures campaign analytics and makes adjustments to campaigns to achieve success.

* As directed, develop, plan, and execute public relations campaigns for arts and cultural events, activities, and programming at Howard Community College and its Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center.

* Establish and maintain connections between the Office of Public Relations and Marketing ( PRM), the Horowitz Center, and college departments.

* Identify and pitch compelling story content to the news media that align with goals and engage both existing and potential audiences. Monitor news placements. Respond to media requests for information, arrange or participate in interviews, and serve as a spokesperson for arts and culture, and Horowitz events, activities, and programming when appropriate.

* Write remarks, talking points, news releases, social media posts, and editorial content for use by the college or the press. Distribute approved content to appropriate reporters, media outlets, and organizations.

* Foster working relationships with community organizations that will further the goals of building audiences, increasing awareness, and promoting access to arts and culture at HCC, sometimes in collaboration with the Horowitz Center and production areas.

* Work with the Horowitz Center's Audience Services to track tickets sales, participation, and audience metrics for Horowitz events and other key institutional events to monitor public relations efforts and to identify opportunities

* Advise Horowitz Center resident producers in the creation of materials required for events, collaborating with PRM staff.

* Work with resident producers and the PRM team to write, advise, and educate on content for social media platforms and the related HCC websites as needed.

* Support, manage, or coordinate on/off campus special events and activities as appropriate to raise the profile of the Horowitz Center or arts and culture at HCC.

* Serve as advisor to resident producers on public relations and community engagement. Attend artistic meetings set by the resident producers as appropriate.

* Represent PRM when appropriate and as needed.

* Assist PRM leadership with emergency operations planning and crisis communications, emergency operations planning, testing, and exercises as directed. Participate in training for crisis communications.

* Bachelor's in English, Journalism, Communications, arts discipline or related field.

* At least three years' professional work experience specializing in arts public relations, marketing, or community relations

* Experience working for or supporting an arts organization.

* Excellent oral, writing, editing, and presentation skills.

* Experience working as a supervisor.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

* Strong organizational and problem-solving skills

* Demonstrated skill in writing, editing, and proofreading.

* Excellent communications skills and creativity.

* Adaptable; Excels in a fast-paced working environment

* Ability to maintain deadlines, manage changing priorities, and oversee planning, coordination and completion of public relations campaigns.

* Proficient in Microsoft Office.

* Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

* Regular attendance is a requirement of this job.

* Performs duties while considering the impact of any actions on the college's sustainability initiatives in the areas of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic prosperity.

SUPERVISION

Hourly/temp staff, student workers, and interns as needed.

Night and/or weekend work may be necessary. Anticipate occasional travel. Availability and remote capability to receive and distribute emergency communications as needed in crisis situations. Prepared to be on call in the event of an emergency.

Howard Community College offers competitive salaries, excellent medical and dental selections, tuition reimbursement and paid leave programs. As a participating member of the Maryland Retirement and Pension System, HCC offers two retirement options: The Pension, which requires a 7% employee contribution and The ORP, a 403(b) with a 7.25% employer contribution only. Employees in positions that do not require a bachelor's degree must participate in The Pension. Employees that possess a bachelor's degree and hold professional positions that require a bachelor's degree may choose to participate in either The Pension or The ORP.

*Pre-employment criminal background investigation is a condition of employment.

HCC is interested in all qualified applicants who are eligible to work in the United States. However, HCC will generally not sponsor applicants for work visas. Due to HCC policy, only employees living in states contiguous to Maryland are eligible for work at HCC and include Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania. Candidates must live in the commutable area or willing to relocate at their own expense if offered the position because HCC does not offer relocation benefits.

Please complete the entire HCC Employment Application (Candidates will be evaluated on completing the college's application in full).

Howard Community College ( HCC) is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer & values diversity within its faculty, staff & student population. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
HCC understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 443-518-1100.