Communications Manager, Renowned International Gallery

A renowned international gallery seeks a Communications Manager to play a key role in promoting the gallery and communicating its values across the international art world. Under the guidance of the Head of Communications, the candidate will be responsible for the development and implementation of press campaigns for gallery exhibitions in New York, as well as art fairs and other initiatives in the U.S. In addition, the role will provide support for the wider Marketing & Communications team with external output, including social media, content creation, and occasional assistance with gallery events. The position will report to the Head of Communications, based in London, with oversight from the Director of Marketing & Communications in New York.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Draft and implement creative and targeted press campaigns relating to New York gallery exhibitions, North and South American art fairs and off-site projects
• Secure informed and comprehensive print and online coverage for gallery exhibitions and art fairs in targeted media (broadsheets, broadcast, specialist arts, consumer, lifestyle publications, etc.)
• Regularly meet with press to create and maintain relationships & stay up to date on changes in the US media landscape
• Contribute to and build the gallery’s database of press contacts in the Americas
• Draft press releases for NY and LA exhibitions, working closely with the artists and their team to communicate their work
• Support the gallery’s LA PR consultant by sharing information on exhibitions, helping to set up interviews and tracking coverage
• Design press mailers and distribute to press
• Add US exhibitions to the gallery’s website and coordinate posting of press releases, as well as subsequent updates
• Manage the process of compiling the gallery’s forward programme document and ensuring it is kept up to date
• Work closely with PR agencies, museums or partner galleries on external artist exhibitions, helping to share/ approve materials, and collaborate on press campaigns
• Respond to image / press requests
• Work closely with artists’ studios and gallery staff to compile assets for upcoming exhibitions and projects
• Draft briefings for artist and staff interviews before any media opportunities
• Conduct walk-throughs of exhibitions with press
• Where necessary, draft artist responses to media enquiries, or statements for the gallery’s senior team
• Track gallery media coverage each week, with Google and Cision Alerts, and compile into a weekly report
• Create media / press packs for each exhibition for artist studios’ archives
• Oversee interviews and photo shoots, and arrange copy approval and fact-checking with journalists, as appropriate
• Work closely with Comms Manager in China and share materials for translation for CN social media
• Contribute to the development of social media campaigns, in particular where it applies to media coverage
• Similarly contribute media-related content for the gallery’s website
• Manage press cuttings with front of house, ensuring high quality and all are added to the server/ artist press packs
• Plan and deliver press events in New York where required
• Coordinate press trips to artist studios and external / museum exhibitions as needed
• Contribute to event guest lists
• Create clash charts for events/ fairs by researching and inputting internal and external events
• Support wider Marketing & Communications team at the New York opening receptions and events

Requirements:

• Several years PR / communications experience in the arts or related creative industry (experience in an arts PR agency or commercial gallery preferred)
• Incredibly organised and hardworking, with a proactive and positive attitude
• Existing relationships with journalists, particularly those specialising in the arts in New York and proven track record of achieving media coverage
• Confident meeting and pitching to journalists autonomously
• Willing to be managed predominantly from London, noting the time difference, and work closely with the Marketing & Communications team globally (NY, LA, London, Shanghai and Beijing)
• Ability to work well with multiple teams, as well as independently
• Willing to work outside of regular office hours (e.g. for global meetings, events, urgent enquiries)
• Ability to independently manage time, prioritise workflow and meet deadlines
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills
• Familiarity with Salesforce, Pardot or other CRM tools
• Excellent digital capabilities (e.g., Photoshop, InDesign, social media)