Director of Audience Engagement

POSITION TITLE: Director of Audience Engagement

STATUS: Exempt

SCHEDULE: Full-time, 40 hours/week

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

SALARY: $70,000-$75,000/year

The Maine Historical Society (MHS) seeks a full-time Director of Audience Engagement, a new management- level position, to drive efforts to build MHS’s audience and bring MHS’s recently developed Audience Engagement Plan to life. MHS is a forward-looking non-profit, with headquarters in Portland, Maine, whose mission is to preserve and share Maine’s story. Founded in 1822 and guided by its 2022-2027 Business Plan, MHS is in a period of strategic growth focused on the profound ways that history shapes Maine and its special sense of place, expanding its statewide and national audience, and building institutional capacity. MHS is committed to documenting, honoring, learning from, and sharing the experiences and perspectives of all Maine people and communities.

1. **POSITION SUMMARY

Working closely with and reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Audience Engagement drives audience growth and revenue by creating, packaging, selling, and supporting MHS/Maine Experiences, and by providing leadership for marketing, communications, and sales efforts for all MHS programs, services, and revenue streams. Responsibilities include development and oversight of MHS’s Tour & Visitor Services, Public Program/Education, Marketing/Communications, and Museum Store teams and activities.

The successful candidate will be gifted at knowing and delivering what audiences want, driven by numbers and a desire to help the masses explore, connect to, and fall in love with Maine through the stories, collections, unique assets, and multiple touchpoints MHS offers. The Director of Audience Engagement will help turn MHS into a market-leader in providing Audience-focused Maine experiences to guests.

2. **DIRECT REPORTS

Curator of Education & Public Programs

Marketing & Communications Manager

Museum Store Buyer

3. **FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Audience Experience (60%)

• Collaborating closely with MHS content experts, lead Audience Engagement staff in creating audience- focused experiences that draw on MHS content, collections, expertise, and assets to drive digital and in- person audience development and revenue goals

• Develop, package, and sell market-driven tours, programs, events, and other activities that become go-to experiences for exploring Maine, including:

o Wadsworth-Longfellow House & Garden, MHS Museum, and Brown Library experiences

o In-person and online public programs that provide entertainment, insight, perspective, and opportunities to learn

o Local and statewide tours that introduce guests to the Maine experience and feature MHS partners

o Maine History Maker and Beer-in-the Garden events and brands

o School programs that engage and excite students

• Strategically grow MHS’s digital audience, subscribers, and followers through development of Maine Connection, social media, and other platforms to drive membership, sponsorship, and partnership goals

• Oversee MHS Museum Store to drive revenue and as part of the MHS in-person/digital experience

• Set and achieve audience and revenue goals for all Audience Engagement KPIs

• Collaborate with tourism leaders, tour operators, and MHS partners to expand MHS’s presence as a key provider of Maine experiences

Visitor Services (10%)

• Ensure the excellence of MHS in-person and digital visitor experiences

• Evaluate all MHS experiences and program offerings on an ongoing basis

• Collect, analyze, and report on metrics data

• Develop tools and processes for gathering, presenting, and analyzing metrics data

• Ensure excellence of guides and docents through training, professional development, and example

• Set ticketing prices and visitation goals

Marketing, Communications, and Sales (15%)

• Oversee communications, advertising, and marketing strategies for all MHS offerings and business units/plans, including programmatic and retail offerings

• Coordinate strategic use of print, digital, and other tools for effective communication of MHS activities

• Ensure consistent use of institutional branding

• Group sales to Maine communities, visitors, tourism market, hotels, cruise ships, schools, and others

Leadership (15%)

• Draw on MHS 2022-2027 Business Plan, Audience Engagement Plan, best practices, and external landscape to guide creation, development, and management of Audience Engagement department

• Serve as liaison to the Board of Trustees’ Audience Engagement Committee

• Attend Management Team, all-staff, and quarterly Board meetings

• Effectively communicate with other committees and board members as needed

• Work with the Management Team to set goals, measurements, and to develop, monitor, and adjust annual operating budget and multiyear budget projections

• Collaborate with Director of Mission Advancement on selection, implementation, and use of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system

• Other duties as assigned

4. **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree

• Graduate degree in Museum Studies OR equivalent experience in tours, tourism, events, cultural institutions, or other audience/market-focused business

• A passion for MHS’s mission and appreciation for its unique collections and cultural assets

• A minimum of three to five years’ experience managing staff

• Proven track record developing audiences, growing revenue, and coordinating and implementing substantial programs, with quantified results

• Collaborative, results-oriented, accountable self-starter

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Zoom

• Proven accuracy and attention to detail

• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and participate in management team decision making

• Experience presenting and effectively communicating key data to Staff, Board, donors, and partners

• Excellent analytical, problem solving and oral communication skills

• Professional and positive demeanor; strong customer service skills

• Ability to manage priorities and accomplish multiple tasks in a busy environment

• Team player with sense of humor and flexibility to accomplish an ambitious vision in an evolving institution

5. **WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSCIAL DEMANDS

Work is performed in an office environment using basic office equipment such as a computer, phone, printer, and copier. Largely performed at a desk, work may require sitting for extended periods, or walking and moving between adjacent offices, as well as occasionally driving to and from MHS offsite locations.

6. **SCHEDULE AND LOCATION

This is primarily an in-person onsite position at MHS’s downtown Portland location during regular business hours (Mon.–Fri. 9am-5pm). MHS supports flexible work schedules as long as they are compatible with the organization’s needs and allow for regular interaction and communication with colleagues during MHS operating hours. Occasional evening and weekend hours are required to support programs, special events, and audience and staff support needs.

7. **SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS

$70,000-$75,000 per year. MHS benefits package includes generous paid time off, as well as health care, dental, short-term disability, and life insurance. On-site parking in downtown Portland is provided.

8. **DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

MHS promotes a culture of partnership and inclusivity and seeks talented staff from diverse backgrounds. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

ABOUT MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Maine Historical Society (MHS) is a private 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to preserve and share Maine's story. MHS was founded in 1822—just two years after Maine became a state—and has been collecting, preserving, and promoting research, scholarship, and engagement with Maine history ever since. MHS’s core program areas include the Brown Research Library, the MHS Museum, including the Wadsworth-Longfellow House (1785-6), and the Maine Memory Network (www.mainememory.net). Based in downtown Portland, MHS works closely with communities and partners throughout the state, and serves a statewide audience, visitors to Maine, and people interested in Maine throughout the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants need to submit:

1. Cover letter

2. Resume with contact information

3. Name, email addresses, and phone numbers of three (3) professional references

Preferred application method is by email to:

Cindy Murphy, MHS Office Manager cmurphy@mainehistory.org.

If materials are postal mailed, please send to:

Maine Historical Society / Attn: Cindy Murphy / 489 Congress Street, Suite 2 / Portland, ME 04101-3498 NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 4, 2024, or until the position is filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• audience/market-focused: 3 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Portland, ME 04101 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Portland, ME 04101: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000 - $75,000