Marketing & Communications Manager - Great Lakes Science Center

Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) is committed to providing STEM for all, with unique approaches to STEM education and workforce development that inspire future STEM professionals and the next generation of an increasingly STEM-engaged world. As Cleveland continues to rise, with plans to further increase public access, business, housing, education, and tourism on the lakefront, GLSC will be a central voice. The most recent strategic business plan is driving an exciting comprehensive campaign that is revitalizing our renown education programs, activating the guest experience with major new exhibition galleries and strong staffing, while also building our endowment to ensure a strong future. GLSC’s annual operating budget averages more than $7 million, including 40% contributed revenue, a growing strength of the organization as we near the completion of our comprehensive campaign. The annual operating budget includes more than 60% earned revenue, which is bolstered by summer camps, the café, store, parking garage, and the Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater— the world’s first giant dome cinema laser system. GLSC is home of the NASA Glenn Visitor Center and the 9th grade of Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s award-winning MC2 STEM High School.

For three years in a row (2022-2024), GLSC has been voted a top ten science museum in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice travel awards. Our organization has repeatedly launched innovative strategic initiatives that receive widespread recognition. Our Manufacturing Day program has become a national model. GLSC’s Robotics Initiative in collaboration with Cleveland Metropolitan School District is a year-round program that prepares students to compete in FIRST and to put their skills to use in transformative ways, like designing and building prosthetics for children. In February 2024, the Cleveland Creates Gallery presented by the Sherwin Williams Company, opened to the public, with an awe-inspiring exhibition focusing on the technology and workforce advances of the region. And in April 2024, GLSC welcomed nearly 40,000 guests to the 2024 Total Eclipse Fest, a science and arts festival presented with NASA Glenn Research Center and The Cleveland Orchestra to provide a once-in-a-lifetime event free to the community.

At GLSC, we embrace and encourage the attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person unique. We consider diversity and inclusion essential for institutional excellence and fulfillment of our mission and vision. We believe our strength lies in the collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, ingenuity, self-expression, and unique capabilities. Our employees, volunteers, guests, and partners bring and invest these strengths in their daily experiences at Great Lakes Science Center.

Summary:

The Marketing & Communications Manager assists in developing and executing short- and long-term strategies to build awareness of Great Lakes Science Center’s mission, programs and people to increase visibility, attendance and revenue growth. This position will serve the communication needs of all departments in the organization to grow both earned and contributed revenue. The Marketing and Communications Manager is responsible for coordinating earned media initiatives with the Director, tracking earned media results, writing and proofreading museum-wide materials, coordinating on-site media related events, managing outside vendor relations and building awareness of brand, special exhibitions, programming, and partnerships through robust content production and distribution across multiple platforms.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Adheres to and promotes Great Lakes Science Center’s mission, core values, and strategic initiatives.
• Works closely with the Director of Marketing & Communications to develop, support and preserve Great Lakes Science Center’s brand and steward/curate the brand across all communications. Works with all departments of the Science Center to maintain brand integrity.
• Coordinates media inquiries and pitches stories to local, regional and national media outlets.
• Manages and tracks marketing initiatives to ensure successful implementation of campaigns.
• Identifies and tracks local and national marketing trends as they apply to cultural attractions, museums, etc. 
• Manages relationships with external vendors and supports day to day marketing opportunities.
• Executes marketing communication plans for Science Center programs and events
• Manage and execute marketing relating events, including earned and paid media opportunities
• Works with all departments to ensure brand and messaging consistency
• Frequently attends meetings across departments to gain the messaging, impact, and strategy to better inform communications initiatives
• Cooperate and communicate positively and constructively with others to effectively manage shared space and resources
• Able to adapt to changing technologies and seek out continuing education to raise the bar of the organization’s communications
• Performs departmental administrative functions under guidance from the Director of Marketing and Communications

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain an entire comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional museum office environment with frequent engagement with guests, members of the media, and Science Center staff. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and copiers, and interacts with the programming and STEM activities of the Science Center.

Please also note that this position requires occasional weekend, holiday, and hours before or after standard business time, to meet the needs of Science Center operations.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, including on the telephone, or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

Education and Work Experience Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5-7 years experience in marketing, communications, or public relations
• Proficient in Microsoft suite of programs, social media platforms and Google Analytics. Experience with Drupal, MailChimp, and the Adobe Creative suite a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision, meet deadlines and handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong cross-functional and team collaboration skills
• Demonstrated relationship-builder who is able to partner cross-functionally and work effectively with various levels of the Science Center

Additional Eligibility Qualifications (K/S/A):

• Internal and external communication (written/spoken)
• Media Relations
• Marketing
• Social Media
• Collaboration

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional museum office environment with frequent engagement with guests, members of the media, and Science Center staff. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and copiers, and interacts with the programming and STEM activities of the Science Center.

Please also note that this position requires occasional weekend, holiday, and hours before or after standard business time, to meet the needs of Science Center operations.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, including on the telephone, or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

Additional Information

Rate: $65,000-75,000

Great Lakes Science Center is proud to provide staff members with a benefits program that offers choices designed to meet their individual needs and lifestyles. Eligible staff members can participate in the following benefits programs: 

• Free Parking 
• Medical 
• Dental 
• Vision 
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP) 
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Paid Holidays 
• 403b Retirement Savings Plan with Match
• Association of Science & Technology Centers Membership 
• Northeastern Ohio Intermuseum Council (NEOIMC) Membership 
• and more! 

COVID-19 Safety and Guidelines

Great Lakes Science Center is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our staff (paid and unpaid), and guests. In accordance with our COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all staff are required to be vaccinated and/or boosted against COVID-19. Reasonable accommodations will be made for those who cannot take the vaccine due to health or religious reasons.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of GLSC to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation to all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religious affiliation, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, immigration status, age, source of income, familial status, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, disability or any other basis protected by applicable law. GLSC complies with applicable state, federal and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment.