Position Summary
The Palo Alto Museum is a new community cultural institution opening in Fall 2026. This is a founding moment—and the stories we tell will shape how the Museum is understood, experienced, and supported.
In this role, you will build the museum’s public presence and storytelling—shaping how we show up across channels and growing audiences from pre-launch through our first year.
We are seeking a Marketing Content Manager who can think strategically about what stories to tell and why, while also executing the day-to-day work of creating, publishing, and engaging. This is a hybrid role for someone energized by both big-picture thinking and hands-on making. You will own the day-to-day storytelling engine, with autonomy to test, learn, and refine what resonates.
As part of the inaugural team, you will join a small, collaborative, and high-impact group working toward the Museum’s public launch. Reporting to the President & CEO, you will partner closely with the Brand & Marketing Strategy Consultant to translate positioning into a clear, consistent voice. You will work with the CEO to integrate storytelling across programs, exhibitions, donor engagement, and community communications—ensuring content supports broader organizational goals. In collaboration with CRM and cross-functional partners, you will help grow, segment, and engage audiences to build a strong foundation for opening and beyond.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building from the ground up, is comfortable balancing structure with ambiguity, and is motivated by connecting an institution with its community through thoughtful, consistent storytelling.
About the Museum
Opening in 2026, the Palo Alto Museum is transforming a historic landmark into a vibrant civic, cultural, and educational hub. Through dynamic exhibitions, public programs, and experiences for all ages, the Museum explores Palo Alto stories that shape our community and the world. Join us as we preserve the past, strengthen our community today, and inspire a brighter future together.
Core Responsibilities
Content Strategy & Calendar
- Own and execute a dynamic content calendar across social, email, and web — balancing planned campaigns with responsive, in-the-moment storytelling
- Develop and maintain consistent editorial voice in close coordination with the Brand Strategist
- Identify and pitch stories that build community, deepen audience connection, and support fundraising and membership goals
Social Media & Community Building
- Create and publish social content that drives awareness, engagement, and audience growth
- Produce short-form video and Reels including light editing
- Capture on-site photo/video content; edit for social and web use
- Actively engage the community—responding to comments, fostering conversation, and cultivating early advocates
- Track and report on follower growth, engagement rates, and content performance using native analytics and Google Analytics
Email & Audience Development
- Write and send 1–3 monthly email newsletters for community members, partners, and donors
- Partner with CRM and development teams on list growth, segmentation, and audience journeys
- Support donor and member communications as needed
Website & Launch Support
- Expand and maintain website content to reflect programs and impact
- Manage website updates optimized for opening and early growth
- Support launch campaigns, community milestone moments, opening launch, ongoing events with on-site capture and real-time publishing
- Collaborate on press and launch communications as needed
Deliverables
- Content Calendar: Create and consistently execute rolling calendar across social, email, and web channels–planned campaigns plus responsive storytelling
- Social Media: Regular content driving measurable growth in followers and engagement
- Short-Form Video: Ongoing, platform-optimized content
- Email: 1–3 newsletters/month to segmented audiences
- Website: Timely, accurate, and engaging content updates
- Monthly Report: Clear summary of reach, engagement, growth, and key insights
Qualifications
- 5+ years in content marketing, editorial, communications, or a related field
- Strong writer and storyteller across short-form and long-form formats — social captions, newsletters, web copy, and narrative features
- Comfortable producing and lightly editing photo, video, and Reels content on own smartphone or basic camera
- Familiarity with CMS platforms (Squarespace, WordPress, or similar) and email marketing tools (Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or similar)
- Comfort with analytics: social media insights, Google Analytics, and reporting
- Self-directed and highly organized — able to execute without heavy oversight
- Experience in arts, culture, nonprofit, or community-oriented organizations strongly preferred
- Experience in content and stories that build community strongly preferred
Success Looks Like
- Consistent, high-quality content published on schedule
- Measurable growth in social following and email subscribers leading into opening and during first year
- A strong, authentic brand voice established in the community
- Content that resonates, reflected in engagement, sharing, audience growth, and feedback
Location and Compensation
- Location: Hybrid with regular on-site presence at least 1 day per week for content capture, community events, and milestone moments. Remote work supported for writing, scheduling, editing, and reporting. On-site days will focus on capturing stories, documenting the Museum’s journey, and engaging directly with the community.
- Compensation: $35-$50/hour .5 FTE for 12 months
How to Apply
Please submit to [email protected].
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Portfolio of samples of relevant past work
- Three professional references
Please include the job title that you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
The Palo Alto Museum is an equal opportunity employer and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and inclusive leadership. The Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Pay: $35.00 - $50.00 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Palo Alto, CA 94301
