Communications Coordinator

Museum-of-Western-Colorado; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Museums of Western Colorado seeks a Communications Coordinator to execute day-to-day communications and marketing efforts across digital and print channels.

You will translate plans into engaging materials, coordinate across departments, and maintain branded assets while supporting events and programs. The role requires strong writing and editing skills, proficiency in WordPress and Mailchimp, and comfort with basic design tools.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience creating communications materials or managing digital content.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Write, edit, and proofread content for websites, newsletters, social media, and materials.
• Create and coordinate graphics, photos, short videos, and stories highlighting programs and events.
• Coordinate with staff to gather information and identify stories for promotion.
• Draft press releases and media advisories; manage routine media outreach.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma

Communications coursework

Tools

WordPress

Mailchimp

Canva

SEO basics

Job description

Description

Division/Department: Development & Communications
Reporting Relationship: Director of Development and Communications, with support and oversight from Executive Director as needed.
Hours/Status: 40 hr./week; full-time, hourly. Ability to adjust schedule for evening or weekend programs, museum events, and content coverage as needed.
Positions Supervised: None
Compensation: $20 per hour

The Communications Coordinator supports the day-to-day execution of Museums of Western Colorado’s communications and marketing efforts. This position translates approved plans and messaging into accurate, engaging materials for visitors, members, donors, staff, media, and community partners. The role coordinates information across departments, maintains organized creative assets, and supports consistent communications across digital and print channels. The Coordinator drafts materials, coordinates routine outreach, and executes approved communications within established guidelines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Content Production and Communications Materials

• Writes, edits, and proofreads content for museum websites, newsletters, social media, promotional materials, and other communications.
• Creates and/or coordinates graphics, photographs, short videos, reels, and stories highlighting programs, exhibitions, events, collections, and museum experiences.
• Coordinates with museum staff to gather information, verify details, and identify stories for promotion.

Public Relations and Community Outreach

• Drafts press releases, media advisories, event announcements, and routine media pitches.
• Distributes approved materials to media contacts and follows up on routine coverage opportunities as assigned.
• Maintains current media lists, community contacts, press materials, and a calendar of outreach deadlines.
• Coordinates interview scheduling, photography requests, media visits, and supporting materials with the Director and appropriate staff.
• Monitors news coverage and public discussion; maintains a record of coverage and flags issues requiring the Director’s attention.
• Submits museum announcements to community calendars, tourism outlets, partner newsletters, and other promotional channels.

Social Media Management

• Manages routine social media scheduling, publishing, and channel upkeep using the approved communications calendar.
• Adapts approved content for each platform and maintains a consistent museum voice.
• Responds to routine questions and comments using approved information.
• Escalates sensitive questions, complaints, media inquiries, and issues requiring a response decision to the Director.

Website Updates and Online Listings

• Updates WordPress pages, event calendars, program information, images, hours, prices, and links using approved content.
• Maintains accurate museum information on business profiles, tourism websites, community calendars, and other relevant online listings.
• Applies basic search engine optimization, including page titles, meta descriptions, headings, descriptive image text, and internal links.
• Checks published content for accuracy, broken links, mobile readability, and working registration or purchase links.

Mailchimp and Email Communications

• Builds, formats, tests, schedules, and distributes approved Mailchimp newsletters and promotional emails.
• Maintains branded email templates and supports audience organization, tagging, and segmentation under the Director’s guidance.
• Checks links, dates, subject lines, display, and audience selections before distribution.

Digital Promotion and Analytics

• Sets up, updates, and monitors approved paid social, display, and programmatic digital promotions, coordinating with vendors as needed.
• Compiles monthly website, social media, email, advertising, and media coverage reports.

Internal Communications and Teamwork

• Prepares routine staff updates, program summaries, presentations, and other internal communications as assigned.
• Keeps communications calendars and project tracking tools current.
• Coordinates with departments to obtain accurate information and meet publishing deadlines.
• Supports communications needs for museum events, campaigns, and community outreach.

Asset Organization and Brand Consistency

• Organizes photographs, videos, graphics, templates, press materials, and final files in shared folders.
• Maintains approved templates and helps staff use current branded materials.
• Checks materials for accuracy, consistency, and alignment with museum brand standards.
• Provides related communications support as assigned within the scope of the position.

Organizational Expectations
Demonstrates a commitment to the Museums of Western Colorado's communication values as guided by the Four Agreements:

• Be impeccable with your word.
• Don't take anything personally.
• Don't make assumptions.
• Always do your best.

Applies these principles in interactions with colleagues, volunteers, members, visitors, and community partners to foster a respectful, collaborative, and solution-oriented workplace.

• Participates in all-staff meetings, department meetings, and cross-department coordination activities as assigned or appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of museum operations and organizational goals.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• High school diploma or GED required; coursework or training in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, design, or a related field preferred.
• Experience creating communications materials or managing digital content for an organization, business, or comparable project; relevant work samples requested.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt content for different audiences.
• Familiarity with press releases, media outreach, and professional communication with external contacts.
• Working proficiency in Canva or comparable design tools, basic photography, and short-form video editing.
• Experience with WordPress or a similar content management system and Mailchimp or a comparable email platform.
• Basic familiarity with SEO, digital advertising, and communications analytics.
• Ability to follow brand guidelines, exercise sound judgment, work within an approval process, and handle confidential information responsibly.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, initiative, and ability to manage deadlines independently while collaborating with staff.
• Proficiency with shared productivity and project management tools.
• Ability to travel between museum locations and event sites as assignments require.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to sit, stand, and type for extended periods.
• Must be able to handle photography and event-content equipment weighing up to 15 pounds.
• Must be able to move between museum locations and event sites.

Museums of Western Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.