Monday – Friday (full-time, salaried exempt)
David Kordansky Gallery seeks a highly motivated, extremely organized, and collaborative individual to join our team as Director, Marketing and Communications. The Director, Marketing and Communications is a leadership role and responsible for leading a range of significant functions, including managing the Communications Team; strategically directing the gallery’s press, marketing, web, and social media engagements; raising the profile of the gallery by proactively cultivating relationships with writers, editors, and publications worldwide. This position is a full-time role, Monday through Friday, and will require flexibility for additional hours based on the needs of the gallery.
ABOUT THE GALLERY
David Kordansky Gallery is one of the most dynamic venues for contemporary art in Los Angeles and New York and is internationally regarded as a leading gallery of its generation. Established in 2003, the exhibition program is dedicated to presenting artists’ work with passion and intellectual rigor, and to bringing the utmost care and precision to showcasing artistic visions. The Gallery is committed to presentations that blend scholarship and connoisseurship with equity and inclusion. We are an institution rooted in our hometown of Los Angeles, and in California, even as we embrace cultural activity as a fully global phenomenon.
Maintaining a culture of belonging is important to us—we strive for a workplace where every single team member feels valued, supported, and heard. We believe in the power of creativity and seek opportunities for connection, collaboration, and learning between cultures and communities. We are committed to championing policies and practices that promote diversity, foster cultural equity, and sustain an environment of inclusivity. The Gallery is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and abilities. The Gallery does not discriminate, and does not permit discrimination against its employees, interns, volunteers, or applicants. We recognize our strengths lie in the broad range of individuals who contribute their time and talents to our mission, and we pledge to create a safe, accessible, and inclusive place to work.
The Gallery’s consistent growth, developed in tandem with its artists’ ambitions, occurs through the unique participation and contribution of each employee. We look for colleagues who are the most driven, the most talented, and the most creative. Every member of the Gallery’s team should aim for excellence and ingenuity, surpassing challenges and discovering new possibilities together. We value long-term commitment and loyalty, and in turn provide avenues for career advancement across all departments.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead and manage the Marketing and Communications Team
Implement strategic communications plans for the gallery
Supervise the Communications Team in the preparation, documentation, and digital presentation of upcoming exhibitions and fairs
Oversee the creation of gallery wide texts including press releases, artist bios, and other gallery content
PRESS RELATIONS
Develop press strategy, executing campaigns for artists, exhibitions, fairs
Grow gallery’s network of, and relationships with international, national, and local press contacts
Serve as spokesperson for gallery, fielding interviews and providing quotations
Pitch and secure press coverage with targeted writers and editors
Oversee press inquiries including asset development and delivery, fact-checking, and corrections
Direct production and distribution of press releases and newsletters
Edit and proof mail-outs and the gallery newsletter in collaboration with other departments
Consult with the Artist Relations and Sales teams on strategy and pitches related to artists and upcoming exhibitions and fair presentations
As needed, research and pitch corporate and/or targeted client-specific partnerships for events, including sponsorships and promotion
DIGITAL CONTENT, SOCIAL MEDIA, & MARKETING
Direct social media strategy, content, and engagement for gallery
Grow gallery’s social media following and engagement through experimentation / innovation and analytics-based reporting
Oversee Digital Content Manager in scheduling and planning for all social media promotion
Oversee the Digital Content Manager and Media Coordinators in the selection of key installation views for the website and promotional materials
Implement tracking systems and report on analytics for social media, making adjustments as needed
Increase the gallery’s presence across a wide range of social media platforms (e.g. beyond the current usage on Instagram, WeChat, etc.)
Supervise documentation and media presentation of exhibitions (photography, videography, etc.)
Oversee development and maintenance of the gallery’s website, working closely with the Media Coordinator
As needed, oversee advertising needs for the gallery and track related expenses
GENERAL GALLERY RESPONSIBILITIES
Stay apprised of contemporary art world happenings
Follow trends in press outreach, audience growth, and brand development
Develop and retain an in-depth knowledge of gallery artists’ practices and biographies as well as relevant private and public collections
Recognize and acknowledge the individual names and faces of museum curators, collectors, critics, and writers
Communicate artists’ practices & biographies with clients, curators, critics, writers, and the public in an articulate, professional manner
Actively promote the Gallery’s program to new contacts
Attend all gallery openings, dinners, and other events
QUALIFICATIONS
Our ideal candidate is highly detail-oriented and creative with exceptional organizational skills; an excellent verbal and written communicator; and possesses the ability to work successfully in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. We seek candidates who are extremely self-motivated, responsible, and efficient, and who hold a sincere appreciation for and experience with navigating diverse cultural spaces. In addition:
Knowledge of contemporary art required
Minimum ten (10) years of experience managing communications at a contemporary art gallery, public relations agency, or related arts and culture institution
Minimum 5 years of experience managing staff
BA in Communications, Marketing, Modern / Contemporary Art History, or related field required, but consideration is given to candidates with related experience
Proven track record of achieving significant press coverage
Ability to think strategically and creatively about the gallery’s communications program
High attention to detail, exceptional organizational skills, and ability to implement and manage multiple projects and timelines
Experience communicating and working with artists/artists’ studios preferred
Strong negotiation skills and ability to creatively resolve problems
Excellent writing and copy editing/proofreading skills with knowledge of AP and/or Chicago Manual of Style
Skills in media analytics (print and social) preferred
Proficiency using the Adobe Creative Suite to design and create visual assets for social media is a plus
Skills in a Mac-based environment required including Google Suite (Gmail, Calendar, Sheets) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Fluent in English; fluency in an additional language welcomed
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This is a full-time salaried position.
The pay scale for this position is $120,000-$180,000
Benefits for full-time employees, following a waiting period, include:
Premium medical insurance (partially subsidized, at minimal cost to employee)
Vision insurance (fully subsidized, at no cost to employee)
Dental and long-term disability insurance
Paid personal and vacation days
Paid sick time
Paid holidays and floating holidays
Paid gallery closures
Paid family leave
Participation in a 401k retirement plan (with employer contribution)
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
This position will be based in New York, NY.
Regular in-person work required.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following via email with the subject line “Director Marketing and Communications” to jobs@davidkordanskygallery.com by January 25th:
One PDF that contains all the documents listed below. The PDF file should be titled: “Last Name, First Name Application”
Cover letter highlighting relevant skills and qualifications
A complete CV including a list of recent press stories secured
A selection of 1-3 short writing samples (500 words or less)
BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Submissions including the above qualifications will be prioritized. No phone or walk-in inquiries, please.