Communications public relations lead

Job Title: Communications & Public Relations Lead

Department: Marketing & Communications

Reports to: Director of Marketing, Communications & Brand Strategy

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Status: Full-Time

Annual Compensation Range: $70,100 - $82,400

Deadline to Apply: November 07, 2025 at 12:00pm EST

Since our founding in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art has earned a global reputation for the quality of our collection, our innovative and extensive education programs, and our architecturally significant campus. Thanks to the benevolence of its founders, as well as the continued support of its community, TMA remains a privately endowed, non-profit institution and opens its collection to the public, free of charge.

At the Toledo Museum of Art, we are dedicated to fulfilling our mission and our commitment to cultivating an organizational culture where every individual feels valued, inspired, respected, and empowered. We believe fostering such a culture requires everyone to work daily at positively enhancing the experience of our team members. We hope all interested in employment here will strive to elevate our mission and our culture!

SUMMARY

Working on-site within the Marketing & Communications team at the Toledo Museum of Art, the Communications & Public Relations Lead is a skilled communicator focused on earned media and reputation management execution and who guides our public relations efforts. This position works collaboratively to refine and execute TMA’s public relations strategy, ensuring that TMA’s voice, values and vision are consistently represented across media channels and diverse audiences.

The Communications & Public Relations Lead will serve as the Museum’s primary contact for all media relations, cultivating strong relationships with local, regional, national and international press while helping position TMA as a thought leader in the museum field. They collaborate across departments and with external agency partners to elevate the Museum’s stories, build community relevance, and reinforce TMA’s culture of belonging.

Additionally, this role will serve as a key point person for external agencies who provide PR services to TMA. This role will provide vision, insight and ideas so agency partners can provide strong outcomes on behalf of the Museum.

The Toledo Museum of Art is committed to a strategic plan that creates a more inclusive experience, where a high-quality collection meets a culture of belonging. All communication efforts at TMA must explore unique and relevant ways to express these strategic goals and our values of diversity, community, innovation, and trust.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Strategy, Planning & Execution

  • Collaborate with the Director of Marketing, Communications & Brand Strategy to refine and implement an annual PR plan with monthly, quarterly, and project-based goals and objectives focused on earned media and reputation management.
  • Serves as the Museum’s primary contact for all media inquiries, ensuring timely, accurate, and consistent messaging.
  • Provides communications counsel and media training to Museum leaders and staff to strengthen confidence and consistency in public-facing communication.
  • Monitors and reports on media coverage, identifying opportunities to strengthen visibility and reputation.

• Media & Public Relations

  • Leads proactive media outreach efforts, including pitching stories, writing press releases, and coordinating interviews, press previews, and other media events that may include direct outreach via phone and email with local and regional press and coordinates internal and external agency resources to fulfill all press releases and press events opportunities.
  • Builds and sustains relationships with journalists, editors, influencers, and community partners to amplify the Museum’s initiatives.
  • Manages the relationship with TMA’s PR agency of record, ensuring alignment, clarity of purpose and strong outcomes.
  • Supports crisis communications and reputation management efforts in partnership with Museum leadership.

• Content & Collaboration

  • Partners with the Marketing Content Strategist and the Digital Content Producer to align PR messaging with social media strategies, campaigns and content calendars.
  • Develops talking points that serve as the backbone of internal and external communications for exhibitions, events, projects, and initiatives.
  • Collaborates closely with other members of the marketing team to ensure cohesive, engaging storytelling across all channels.

• Innovation & Leadership

  • Develops a deep understanding of TMA’s mission and the museum industry to inform unique and relevant story angles.
  • Builds strong relationships with key Museum leaders in order to understand where the Museum is going and what will make TMA noteworthy in the public eye.
  • Maintains innovative approaches that distinguish TMA and creates relevance with the public. Cultivates new and creative ways to share TMA’s stories that connect with diverse audiences and strengthen community trust.
  • Serves as a thought partner within the Marketing & Communication team, fostering collaboration, creativity and excellence.
  • Represents TMA at community events and professional forums as appropriate.

• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing or related field preferred.
• 5+ years’ work experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or publishing role required.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCIES, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated expertise in earned media strategy and reputation management
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communications skills
• Strong media relations experience, including on-the-record engagement
• Ability to conduct effective media training and spokesperson preparation
• Enjoys collaboration across departments and disciplines
• Highly organized and adept at managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Impeccable organization and project management skills with the ability to efficiently utilize a project management system (such as Wrike)
• A passion for museums, art, and the strategic vision of The Toledo Museum of Art
• Ability to work some early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends to support Museum functions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Standard open office work environment shared with co-workers, with related phone, computer and printer noise. Position requires the ability operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, printer and phone system; May occasionally lift up to 25 pounds; Support given to various departments across campus may result in occasional exposure to uncomfortable weather conditions. May need to work evenings and weekends for Museum functions.

BENEFITS

• 25 Days of Paid Time Off Annually
• 6 Paid Holidays Annually
• 2 Paid Floating Holidays Annually
• 3 Paid Volunteer Days Annually
• Birthday Paid Day Off
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• 403b Retirement Savings Plan
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Term Life and AD&D Insurance Plans
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Museum Family Membership
• Employee Discounts in the Museum Store, Café, Studio Art Classes, & More!

The Toledo Museum of Art provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state statutes. The Museum is committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are treated equitably and given the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the workplace. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at [email protected] or (567)-666-0387.