Chief Communications and Content Officer

The Chief Communications & Content Officer (CCCO) plays a pivotal role in shaping the Whitney Museum’s brand, voice, and public presence. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Director, the CCCO leads the strategy, positioning, messaging, and creative direction that elevate the Museum’s profile, amplify its impact, and safeguard its reputation on a global stage. 

Partnering with senior leadership, the CCCO envisions and executes integrated, multichannel communications strategies that support the Museum’s ambitious goals for brand visibility, audience growth, and stakeholder engagement. This leader transforms complex ideas into compelling narratives that resonate with a wide breadth of audiences and stakeholders, while navigating some of today’s most significant cultural conversations with clarity and purpose. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement sophisticated and comprehensive communications strategies to advance the Whitney’s mission and strategic priorities. 

• Storytelling Acumen: Craft and share impactful stories that connect with audiences across digital and traditional platforms, from general audiences, to artists, to thought leaders. 

• Team Collaboration: Oversee three core departments—Museum Communications/Public Relations, Digital Content, and Graphic Design/Brand Creative—to ensure seamless, synchronized, and synergistic delivery of the Whitney’s communications efforts. Collaborate hand-in-glove with the Chief Marketing Officer to develop campaigns that amplify the brand and attract new audiences. 

• Cross-Functional Impact: Partner with senior leadership to help design internal communications that foster an inclusive and informed organizational culture. 

• Agility in Action: Lead with decisiveness and creativity, especially in time-sensitive situations, ensuring messages are timely, thoughtful, and aligned with the Museum’s values. 

As a member of the Strategic Planning Group (SPG) of senior staff, the CCCO helps drive coordinated strategies for institutional advancement. This role is integral to translating organizational goals into actionable, inspiring communications that elevate the Museum’s profile and activities, from its exhibitions to its education programs, while maintaining confidentiality and communication timelines.   

The CCCO is an exceptional communicator, critical thinker, dynamic connector, collaborative leader, and peerless executor who brings insight, creativity, and precision to every aspect of their work, ensuring the Whitney’s voice and brand remain bold, relevant, and impactful at every touchpoint. 

On a day-to-day basis, in addition to the above, the CCCO will impact: 

• Institutional and Brand Communications: Lead strategies for institutional messaging, campaign and content calendars, and brand performance metrics, among others. 

• Audience Development and Revenue Growth: Expand and diversify audiences while supporting revenue strategies through visitation initiatives, loyalty programs, donation campaigns, and other means. 

• Media and Stakeholder Relations: Serve as the Museum’s spokesperson and maintain critical media relationships. 

• Thought Leadership: Identify opportunities for institutional visibility and public engagement. 

• Team Leadership: Foster a creative, innovative, growth-mindset, and KPI-driven culture while energizing and providing professional development for the team. 

Skills Needed for the Role Include: 

Strategic Communication and Vision. Demonstrated expertise in crafting and implementing innovative communication strategies that align with Whitney’s objectives, ensuring consistent messaging across all channels while addressing emerging trends and evolving stakeholder needs. 

Attuned to Global Dynamics. Understanding of global and local cultural, political, and economic trends and their implications on cultural institutions, our artists, and institutional messaging, including with internal employees. Ability to craft communications that resonate with and drive participation by varied audiences and demographics while maintaining relevance across cultural contexts.  

Issues Management. Experience in developing and executing crisis communication plans to protect and enhance reputation. Skilled at responding to complex and sensitive situations with pace, transparency, agility, poise, and professionalism. 

Digital and Social Media Proficiency. Expertise in leveraging digital and social media platforms for brand storytelling and audience growth and development. Strong knowledge of emerging technologies, channels, and trends to enhance the Whitney’s online presence and engagement. 

Data-Driven Decision Making. Ability to analyze customer data and campaign performance metrics to inform strategy and enhance future communication efforts. Skilled at leveraging data-driven insights to realize measurable outcomes. 

Adaptability to Media Landscape Changes. Experience navigating the evolving media landscape, including but not limited to leveraging new content distribution platforms, successfully engaging with a variety of media outlets, and deftly addressing disinformation. Demonstrated ability to remain flexible and innovative in response to shifts in media consumption patterns. 

Position Requirements 

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in strategic communications or a related field (advanced degree preferred), with 15+ years of senior-level experience in strategic communications, brand management, or a comparable role. 

• Expertise: Proven track record in leading multi-channel communications, managing creative or iconic brands, and articulating a vision that aligns with strategic priorities. 

• Core Skills: 
  - Exceptional storytelling, presentation, and writing abilities. 
  - Skilled public speaker who can navigate both creative and results-driven- environments. 
  - Experience managing high-stakes, time-sensitive issues. 
  - Fluency in digital and social media platforms with measurable success in multi-channel campaigns. 

• Qualities: 
  - Intellectually curious, with a strong interest in contemporary art and culture. 
  - Team player, entrepreneurial thinker, and innovative problem-solver. 
  - Collaborative yet decisive, with a knack for inventive ideas and strategic execution. 

• Additional Considerations: Prior experience in museums or arts-related / cultural field is advantageous but not required. The role requires occasional evening and weekend work and is primarily based on site at the Museum, with limited travel as needed. Out-of-state applicants are encouraged to apply.  
   

Compensation & Benefits  

• Estimated salary range of $225,000 - $300,000 per annum, commensurate with training and experience  

• Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(B) elections  

• Generous PTO benefits  

• Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit  

• Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally 

• Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citibike  
   

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role. 

About the Whitney: 
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today. 
 
EEO Statement: 
The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.