Marketing and Brand Partnerships Manager

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Job title: Marketing and Brand Partnerships Manager

Classification: Full-time,, non exempt position: 40 hr/wk

Benefits: Benefits including health, dental and vision insurance, 401k, vacation and sick pay.

Compensation: $35-$37 hour range

Location: Principally based at Creativity Explored, 3245 16th Street in San Francisco, with regular visits to other CE locations

Supervises: Marketing Coordinator

Reports to: Director, Development

Application Review Begins: May 19, 2025

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Creativity Explored is a San Francisco nonprofit that partners with people with developmental disabilities to create an artistic, studio-based collective where the creative capacity of any person can flourish. We do this by placing the work, needs, culture, and experience of artists with developmental disabilities at the center of the community in a way that honors humanity, respects self-agency, and nurtures creative potential.

CE is a warm, fast-paced, and fun place to work, with a long-serving multidisciplinary staff that is deeply committed to our community. A San Francisco icon, CE was named 2021 Best Art Gallery and 2023 Best Nonprofit by 49 Hills. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

CE’s Marketing and Brand Partnerships Manager will collaborate across CE’s departments to implement marketing and business development plans that support CE artists by sharing their art work and stories with the community, and by soliciting and launching business partnerships. The Manager will also implement communication plans and advocacy campaigns.  They will develop diverse resources, help meet revenue goals, and advocate for the neurodiverse and disabled community.  The Manager will excel at working collaboratively to implement ambitious goals. 

The position will manage:

• CE’s overall brand, messaging, and communications channels
• Organizational communications including social media, press, and advertising
• Development and launch of business partnerships that lead to revenue and heightened awareness of CE artists’ work
• Advocacy campaigns about issues of importance to CE and our artists
• Building CE’s digital storytelling capabilities within the contemporary art context

The Manager will work extensively with external business partners and stakeholders such as corporations, architects, developers, designers, and government and nonprofit entities.

The Manager also works collaboratively with Programs, Art Partnerships, and Development departments at CE and  will interact with projects that involve fundraising campaigns and events, exhibitions and public programs, art services,  and licensing product development and marketing. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Marketing and Communications

• Under the direction of the Director, Development, work closely with other CE leaders and the Board of Directors’ Marketing Committee to create/update annual Marketing, Communications and Brand Partnership plans. 
• Partner with teams across the organization to create consistent messaging and language around CE and its services and advocacy for our artists
• Brand Management: Exercise discretion in implementing CE’s vision by creating and updating  brand guidelines that include look and feel, message, voice and tone, and include them in all CE external marketing and development materials. Work closely cross-organizationally and with any external agencies to update or uphold brand guidelines.
• Marketing: Implement annual marketing plan with minimal oversight, to  manage all marketing communications, PR and publicity activities to maximize exposure for CE and CE events, support CE artists’ growth, and reach diverse supporters. This includes advertising, promotional activities, the development of marketing collateral, print materials, online programs, etc.
• E-Commerce: Guided by annual marketing plan,  manage all CE web activities, from web updates to website redesign. Work with the appropriate staff to develop content for all marketing and business development areas of the website, including online sales and programs.
• Campaign Planning & Execution: Conduct market research to determine market requirements for existing and future products, services,  and offerings
• Use data tools to track  partnerships in order to effectively steward relationships and projects
• Collaborate across the organization to support programs, events and campaigns with special attention to the needs and interests of CE’s artists.
• Execute advocacy campaigns, using own discretion to serve the needs of CE and our artists by partnering with related organizations and amplifying broader advocacy initiatives
• Supervise CE’s Marketing Coordinator by setting goals, defining work plans, identifying priorities, and giving feedback on strategies and work product

Business Development

• Execute annual plan for business partnership development by conducting outreach to potential partners and responding to partnership inquiries
• With support of CE leaders, evaluate and prioritize business partnerships using key criteria
• Help design and launch new initiatives and hand off to appropriate CE departments for full implementation
• Plan and execute meetings and events that enhance relationships and partnerships with strategically aligned partners

Organizational Relationships

The Marketing and Brand Partnerships Manager is expected to work productively in a team environment, and to foster open communication with staff across the organization on initiatives that support the organization’s mission and goals. They are also expected to work towards embodying the four components of CE's Staff Philosophy: Community, Creativity, Collaboration, and Compassion. The Marketing and Brand Partnerships Manager oversees and has the authority to hire, terminate, evaluate, and recommend discipline for the Marketing Coordinator, and may at times hire and oversee consultants and contractors.

Compliance with Policies and Procedures

The Marketing and Brand Partnerships Manager will comply with established Creativity Explored policies and practices.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

• Education preference: Degree in marketing, business, arts administration, nonprofit management, communications, or equivalent experience preferred.  
• A strong connection with CE’s mission, including the ability to advocate for CE’s artists self-identified needs
• Minimum three years marketing experience with significant experience developing business partnerships
• Two or more years’ related supervision experience preferred
• Knowledge of contemporary art and/or experience working in a contemporary art context preferred
• Team orientation, with demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people
• Demonstrated experience managing projects involving coordination between multiple business entities
• Familiarity with emerging digital trends, as well as digital marketing strategies and best practices
• Outstanding interpersonal and verbal communication skills 
• Excellent written communication skills including demonstrated ability to craft compelling narratives and copy
• Experience growing diverse communities and maintaining strong relationships with an established local, national and international community
• Self-directed, entrepreneurial approach
• Strong data and project management skills
• Experience with IT services including Salesforce, Mailchimp, Squarespace, social media management platforms and channels, and fundraising platforms preferred
• Experience with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Google Suite, Canva and project management software preferred

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Complete and maintain CPR, First Aid, and AED certification (initial certification to be completed within 30 days of date of hire)
• Workplace Harassment Training
• Complete Creativity Explored staff training pertinent to position job responsibilities as assigned

OTHER INFORMATION 

Offers are subject to satisfactory Criminal Records Clearance and proof of negative TB test results completed within the last year. Creativity Explored will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Creativity Explored is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage.

Creativity Explored is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive work environment where diversity is celebrated and valued. BIPOC, people with disabilities, and bilingual/bicultural individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. 

To apply, please go to: https://jobs.gusto.com/postings/creativity-explored-marketing-and-brand-partnerships-manager-305c03bb-13f1-4d70-ba23-1129daa26c33

07/08/2025