Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Deputy Director will play a key role, both internally and externally, in helping Woodrow Wilson House implement its mission, vision, and goals. The Deputy Director will be responsible for overseeing communications, marketing, engagement and visitor services, and for helping direct cross-departmental projects in a timely, cost-effective, and team-building manner. The position will participate — with the ED, the National Trust’s Development Department and the Advisory Council — in fundraising for the site and will represent the site to both professional and public audiences as needed, working in support of the strategic plans of Wilson House and the National Trust.
In the absence of the Executive Director, or as assigned, the Deputy will serve as principal staff and Advisory Council liaison and represent the Site and the National Trust at professional meetings, events and forums, and to the public as appropriate. When needed, this position serves as interim Executive Director, acting in accordance with the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Director, and may provide coverage of other management team positions as needed.
The President Wilson House in Washington DC, a National Trust site since 1961, is dedicated to confronting the complex history and legacies of the 28th President of the United States, including issues relating to race and gender inequality during Wilson’s administration and the Wilsons’ period in the house. The Site strives to embody best practices not just in historic preservation and education, but in making history relevant to today by exemplifying justice, diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of its operations.
Situated on the ancestral land of the Anacostans (Nacotchtank) peoples, the President Woodrow Wilson House is a House Museum in Washington, D.C. As a National Trust for Historic Preservation site since 1961, it is dedicated to confronting the complex history and legacies of the 28th President of the United States, including issues relating to race and gender inequality during Wilson’s administration and the Wilsons’ period in the house. An accurate and full accounting of the Wilson Era reveals the systemic injustices we continue to confront to this day. At the same time, understanding Wilson’s leading role in defining and leading a new dawn in 20th century international relations is vital to rethinking those dynamics in the 21st century. The Woodrow Wilson House is committed to listening to as well as leading these important civic discussions. As a hub for both public museum exhibitions and scholarly engagement with Wilson’s legacy and the Progressive Era, the Wilson House aims to be a space of reconciliation and healing through an honest, dynamic exploration of the past and present. The Site strives to embody best practices not just in historic preservation and education, but in making history relevant to today by exemplifying justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its operations and interpretation.
The Deputy Director plays an important role working with colleagues and the ED to emphasize the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s strategic priority of “Telling the Full American Story” in the Site’s communications and marketing; its programs, exhibitions, exploration of its collection; and its partnerships and staff training.
DUTIES
Communications & Engagement
- Working with the ED and collaborating with management team colleagues (the Senior Manager of Business & Operations and the Manager of Collections & Education), the Deputy Director is responsible for overseeing all communications and ensuring effective and timely messaging, branding and delivery, including marketing and promotions, media relations, website maintenance, and social media, as well as donor communications and gift acknowledgments, and Advisory Council communications & engagement.
- Working with the ED, help direct community engagement for the Site and build a broader community through inclusion of a diverse range of constituents.
- Help direct, plan, implement, and execute the Site’s web and social media strategy, with a goal of increasing revenue for the Site through public awareness of and participation in programs, including marketing of museum shop. Design and send email marketing campaigns, create list segments, review campaign analytics.
- Help direct the design and print production process for promotion of programs and exhibits, including mailings, postcards and flyers, utilizing and managing outside vendors as needed or coordinating production of pieces in-house as appropriate.
- Serve as initial point of contact for press, PR consultants, ad placements, and event listings. For approval by the ED, develop and write press releases, pitches, and newsletters to highlight the Site’s programming and curatorial news and interface with local reporters, photographers, bloggers, and influencers.
- Working with the ED, help direct and develop communications strategies and promotional pieces in support of the Site’s fundraising efforts.
- Craft donor communications and gift acknowledgments and work with Senior Manager of Business & Operations and National Trust development staff to ensure proper documentation and tracking in CRM systems.
- Draft grant applications or other donor pitch pieces as needed.
- As assigned, interact with donors or serve as donor point of contact on the ED’s behalf.
- Play a leading role in enhancing the composition and functionality of the Advisory Council.
- Develop regular communications for Advisors and identify ways to engage their interest.
- Lead development of documents and communications outlining expectations for Advisors.
Date posted: November 10, 2022