Communications and Social Media Manager

About the Role

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA), a distinguished West Coast art museum featuring internationally-acclaimed collections and exhibitions alongside diverse cultural and educational programs, is seeking a Communications and Social Media Manager. Reporting directly to the Marketing and Communications Director, this key position is responsible for crafting and implementing strategic communications, managing digital content and social platforms, and advancing public messaging to promote the museum's mission, exhibitions, programs, and brand identity.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop the museum’s social media channels and digital platforms, overseeing content creation, editing, and strategic planning to grow audience engagement.
• Create and maintain editorial calendars, media listings, and facilitate media coverage to extend the museum's reach locally and nationally.
• Design and produce marketing materials including bi-weekly print and radio advertisements, video content, membership outreach, newsletters, eblasts, and website content while maintaining a consistent institutional voice across all channels.
• Lead strategic digital initiatives, including paid digital advertising campaigns such as Google AdWords and ongoing social media promotions.
• Write, review, and update website content to ensure accuracy and relevancy.
• Prepare and disseminate exhibition and event listings to media contacts, maintain and update media lists, track press coverage archives, and draft/edit press releases and materials.
• Coordinate vendor communications and manage production estimates for marketing materials.
• Support membership communications, quarterly newsletters, and provide general administrative assistance as needed.
• Manage multiple communications projects from inception to completion, ensuring deadlines and approvals are met through effective cross-departmental collaboration.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• 5-7 years of experience in digital and social media, public relations, and/or marketing.
• Proven proficiency with digital communication tools such as email campaign software, online calendars, social media management tools (e.g., Zoho), PR tracking software (e.g., Cision), content creation tools (e.g., Canva), MS Office Suite, and Adobe Photoshop.
• Demonstrated experience managing social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Google.
• Exceptional communication, public relations, editorial, and organizational skills, with the ability to effectively multitask and manage multiple priorities.

Additional Information

• This exempt, full-time position reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications and requires occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work, with flexibility to adjust hours to support events.
• Compensation ranges from $70,304 to $73,750 annually, dependent on experience.
• Benefits include eligibility for medical, dental, vision, pre-tax savings, long-term disability, life insurance, accrued vacation (up to 15 days in the first two years), 64 hours of paid sick leave annually, 13 paid holidays (14 in federal election years), 403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% employer match after one year, and membership in SB BikeSpot.
• Located 90 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, Santa Barbara offers a vibrant, walkable downtown surrounded by mountains and ocean and home to several nearby higher education institutions including UC Santa Barbara.
• Must pass a background check and be able to perform occasional offsite tasks using reliable transportation and handle occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs.

Application Process

Applicants should submit a package including an application, resume, cover letter, and three professional references by email. The museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer promoting diversity in its workforce.