As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for six consecutive years.

The Burke Museum cares for and shares natural and cultural collections so all people can learn, be inspired, generate knowledge, feel joy, and heal. The Burke was founded in 1885 by the Young Naturalists, a group of curious teenagers inspired by seeing Seattle transform before their eyes. For 135 years, the museum has built upon this legacy, collecting objects that help us understand how the Northwest has grown and changed.

As both a University and State museum, the Burke Museum is a public resource committed to building an inclusive environment that welcomes and values all people. The Burke’s collections totaling over 16 million objects help sustain cultural traditions, enable groundbreaking scientific research, and advance timely conversations that matter to us all. The collections are records of our past and investments in our future. The Museum’s curators—faculty members at the University of Washington—grow collections in the anticipation of change: continued disruption to ecosystems, shifting cultural landscapes and advances in technology we have yet to imagine. Our work is collaborative; we partner with institutions, students, communities and people around the world to understand our past and create positive change in the future.

In October 2019, the Burke opened a new building turning the work of a museum “inside-out” with visible labs, workrooms, collections storage, and an artist studio.  Removing these barriers enables us to make the collections and work that happens here daily accessible to everyone. Every visit to the New Burke is different because every day brings new work. And because we’re doing this work right out in the open, everyone can experience it and join in.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Communications is responsible for acting as the Burke Museum communications strategist and visionary for the brand and public perception of the Burke. The Director of Communications will develop communications strategies for major initiatives, institutional change, media relations, and sensitive issues and is responsible for ensuring consistency of messaging across platforms.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

• STAKEHOLDERS: Support leadership communications for external stakeholders as needed including, advocacy materials for governments, education, and university leaders
• FUNDRAISING: Support Development team for fundraising communications, including Annual Report. Support the Burke Museum Association board with high-level communications needs and liaise as a staff representative on the BMA Executive Committee and at BMA board meetings
• TRIBAL AFFAIRS: Support Tribal Liaison with communications

  INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

• Support Executive Director for internal communications needs to assist in building strong ties across departments
• Support department leads with sensitive communications needs including budgeting, personnel, and policies
• Develop internal communication strategies that support the Burke’s Strategic Plan
• Support leadership team in communicating the mission, vision, and values to increase engagement and retention of staff

  BRAND MANAGEMENT & STORYTELLING

• Lead brand strategy development, including articulating the Burke value proposition, key messages, and core attributes
• Lead a team to share stories of Burke impact across platforms, including media relations, digital storytelling (blog, video and photography) and institutional/fundraising communications
• Ensure visual and editorial integrity of Burke brand in all public-facing communications
• Maintain updated visual and editorial style guides
• Supervise application of brand to custom store products

  MARKETING & OUTREACH

• Lead a team to develop innovative marketing strategies across print, digital and community engagement platforms; supervise marketing function to ensure execution is consistent and effective
• Lead a team to allocate marketing budget across all public earned income programs (admissions, store, special events, education, membership)
• Advise on public programming strategy to maximize attendance and exposure

  OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage Communications team: Marketing and PR Manager; Digital Communications Manager; Marketing Coordinator; Digital Marketing Coordinator; and other related subcontractors or vendors
• Serve as a member of the Burke leadership team
• Lead development of annual Communications department budget
• Uphold the institution’s commitment to equitable and inclusive practice
• Lead the Communications team in ethical use of personal data, photography, and representation of collections

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree
• Five years of increasing responsible experience in institutional or non-profit communications
• Project management skills and experience
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Documented experience with building and managing teams, achieving results, and successfully encouraging community engagement around a product/project

  SPECIFIC POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Experience building and implementing complex, multi-functional communications plans
• Proficient with: Microsoft Office products; digital advertising; social media; Adobe Creative Suite; print production
• Exceptional interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate clearly, diplomatically, and effectively.  Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to be held accountable for results
• Ability to problem solve, take initiative, set priorities for an entire department, handle multiple projects, and exercise good judgment in a fast-paced, dynamic, deadline driven environment in an organized and professional manner
• Demonstrated experience in managing people and budgets within the resource constraints of a non-profit

  DESIRED:

• Graduate degree in a relevant field
• Experience working in museum, natural history, and/or cultural institutions
• Experience working with researchers and scholars
• Knowledge of UW systems
• Familiarity with Drupal content management system
• Experience working with state legislative bodies and/or individual politicians
• Experience working with Native American Tribes and indigenous organizations. Understanding of Pacific Northwest and Washington tribal histories, treaties, sovereignty, self-governance, protocols, customs and traditions, natural resources, and cultural properties, and an understanding of contemporary issues and conversations.

  CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Able to work a flexible schedule that occasionally involves work on weekends and holidays
• Able to work in an environment visible to the public with visual and audible distractions
• Wear required credentials at all times and work attire/uniforms and name tags as required by position

  Application Process:
  The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your “My Jobs” page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.