Communications Coordinator

The Thoma Foundation has an immediate opening for a full-time Communications Coordinator in Dallas, Texas to help create, implement, and oversee the Foundation’s communications needs.  Responsibilities include supporting all external and internal communications – print, email and social media. This role will develop a communications calendar, draft newsletters, write content to maintain a consistent presence on our various social media channels; writing and distributing press releases as well as oversee our website.

A successful candidate will have a passion for communications and public relations, as creating and building new relationships is crucial to growing the foundation’s reach. We are seeking candidates with journalistic style writing skills, media-savvy and a dynamic outgoing personality who enjoy and excel at connecting with the public in writing, on the phone, and in person. The ideal candidate moves proficiently between executing the nuts-and-bolts of our communications plan and strategic projects with our curators, collections team and program officers.

This position requires meticulous documentation of press contacts, meetings and call notes, social media, and website tracking. The Communications Coordinator is confident and refined in their written communication style, as a key responsibility will be to reach out to press, journalists, and the leaders at major art institutions with the intention of extending invitations to openings, sharing news of our current activities, new programs, and acquisitions. The outreach strategy should generate new ideas to promote the Foundation and Founders outside of traditional ad placement and sending press releases.

The Thoma Foundation is a small Founder-lead entrepreneurial team of highly adaptable, strategic thinking and resourceful individuals that operate much like a startup. Candidates applying for this role would describe themselves as a passionate storyteller and innovative communicator; self-starter; detail-oriented with a focus on meticulous documentation; works efficiently without compromising quality of work; enjoys taking ownership of tasks; collaborative and supportive; passionate and motivated.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Compose and send Foundation’s monthly e-newsletter and regular e-blasts.
• Maintain the Foundation’s contact database; document outreach activity.
• Manage the website refresh project; interface with web designers and web developers; ensure content and news is frequently updated.
• Develop a social media calendar that highlights relevant Foundation news, highlighting partnerships, exhibitions, and programming.
• Respond to social media comments and direct messages, forward important requests to appropriate staff.
• Oversee Foundation branding materials and style guide.
• Manage print materials (wall labels, exhibition guides and programs, business cards, stationary) ensuring adherence to style guide.
• Work with collections and administration team to schedule tours of the Dallas gallery spaces, ensuring print materials are updated for each tour group.
• Create copy for advertisements and in-house exhibition collateral (labels and brochures) while also working with outside graphic designer for larger design projects (graphic design skills a significant plus).
• Proactively cultivate and steward press relationships.
• Network with local art, cultural and philanthropic communities to foster relationships and potential partnerships.
• Working with our PR consultant, finetune, manage and continually grow to our press lists.
• Respond to press inquiries and provide art tours when requested.
• Update Foundation information on local and national listings.
• Send thank you notes and acknowledgements on behalf of the Foundation and Founders.
• Familiar enough with Abode Creative Suite to be able to update Illustrator files with new addresses, employee names, etc.
• Open to learning Word Press to make simple updates to our website.
• Direct special media projects related to Foundation’s giving activity.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• Five years of communications or marketing experience.
• Knowledge and passionate about art and art history.
• Strong grasp of current communication, digital marketing and social media practices.
• Self-motivated with the ability to execute on plans independent of direction.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills – strong emphasis on journalistic style writing.
• Creativity and confidence to propose new ideas.
• Excellent attention to detail (example: consistent formatting throughout documents, strong memory to recall names.)
• Flexibility and willingness to help wherever needed.
• Graphics design experience a plus.
• Demonstrated acumen with WordPress, MailChimp, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a professional and kind demeanor.

Location and Hours
Thoma Foundation Headquarters
1925 Cedar Springs Road
Dallas, TX 75201
In-Office Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm with the flexibility to support after hour or weekend tours for press at our gallery spaces.