Community Relations Manager

The Community Relations Manager coordinates and facilitates the strategy, implementation, and evaluation of IAAM’s community relations plan which includes building trusting relationships and driving engagement with a variety of stakeholders and communities of interest with a special focus on local and regional organizations, social groups, community groups, faith-based organizations, and other affinity groups who are aligned with the Museum’s mission, programs, and significance and are keen to engage with the Museum. This opportunity is ideal for an entrepreneurial and collaborative community organizer excited by the prospect of grounding this new, significant institution, in the communities it serves.

The Manager reports to the Chief Learning & Engagement Officer and collaborates across the Learning and Engagement division to ensure that communities and their interests are represented in the initiatives of L&E’s six unique teams.

• Oversee the Museum’s community engagement, inclusive of prospecting, cultivating, and stewarding affinity groups who have a special interest in the Museum’s mission, programs, and significance and/or are aligned with the mission and programmatic priorities of the Museum.
• Develop targeted community engagement plans for special exhibitions, program series, and special events that engage new and existing affinity groups aligned with the respective opportunity -- developing tracking methods to maintain contacts and report progress.
• Maintain a regular effort to research new groups, establish relationships, and drive multi-faceted engagement with the Museum, including in-person program and event attendance, participation in online programming, and/or engagement with the Museum’s social media channels.
• In collaboration with fellow L&E divisional leaders and the Marketing and Communications team, work to shape the public perception of the museum by developing strategies and messaging that spread the museum’s mission to: honor the untold stories of the African American journey at one of our country’s most sacred sites and create messaging that communicates the Museum’s real and potential impact to targeted audience segments.
• In concert with the CLEO, L&E leadership and the Marketing and Communications team, develop an annual research & communications plan that drives awareness and engagement among local, national, and international affinity groups.
• Coordinate with volunteer services manager to organize community outreach activations and events tabling to increase and expand the Museum’s visibility and footprint throughout the Charleston tri-county and Lowcountry.
• Support the CLEO in triaging and responding to community requests for L&E leadership as well as other administrative duties as assigned.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 3+ years of relevant community engagement, community organizing and/or affinity marketing experience
• Ability to build trusting, long-term relationships with individuals and social & organizational groups
• Ability to work in a fast paced, high-energy environment
• Ability to develop standardized processes and workflows
• Ability to think creatively, innovatively, and analytically
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Thinks holistically and strategically with a view that considers other departments and institutions
• Working knowledge of and interest in African and African American history and culture
• Previous project management experience
• Reliable transportation

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 25 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate each area and space at the organization’s facilities.

• Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.
• Persons who do not meet all listed criteria but who feel that their knowledge, skills, and experience make them well qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

The International African American Museum is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive staff and strongly encourages applications from women and racially underrepresented candidates. It is the policy of International African American Museum to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the IAAM will make reasonable accommodations to known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified applicant with a disability, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.