Director of Communications and Marketing

Institute of Music for Children; Elizabeth (NJ); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute of Music for Children in Elizabeth, New Jersey, seeks a Director of Communications and Marketing to design and lead integrated strategies that boost enrollment, deepen family engagement, and strengthen donor relationships while telling the organization's story with impact.

You will oversee enrollment marketing, digital campaigns, content creation, and media relations, guiding a team to produce compelling narratives, photos, and videos that connect families, schools, and supporters

Qualifications

• Ten+ years of professional experience, with five+ years in communications or marketing, preferably nonprofit.

Responsibilities

• Lead enrollment marketing and family engagement initiatives for afterschool, summer, and community programs.
• Maintain digital marketing platforms: website, blogs, newsletters, email campaigns, and social channels.
• Create and curate storytelling content—photos, videos, testimonials—and manage a digital media library.
• Support development and donor communications, crafting campaigns, annual report, and event promotions.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure consistent messaging and mentor staff and interns.

Skills

Writing and editing

Interpersonal communication

Digital marketing

Campaign analytics

Photography

Videography

Graphic design

Phone/email outreach

Tools

Canva

Job description

Shape the voice of a dynamic arts organization, connecting young people and families with transformative creative experiences while expanding its visibility, reach, and community impact.

The Institute is seeking a Director of Communications and Marketing to develop and lead integrated strategies that drive program enrollment, deepen family engagement, strengthen donor and stakeholder relationships, and bring the organization’s mission to life through compelling storytelling.

The ideal candidate brings at least ten years of professional experience—including five or more years in marketing or communications—and a strong command of digital campaigns, content creation, photography and video, public relations, and cross-functional leadership. A passion for the arts, youth development, and equity-centered work is essential.

This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable shaping strategy and rolling up their sleeves to execute it. The Director is a creative implementor with high standards for design and storytelling, and the drive to build something meaningful.

Key responsibilities

The Director of Marketing and Communications develops, implements, and tracks the Institute’s short- and long-term communications and marketing strategies. The role leads program enrollment, increases the Institute’s visibility, supports donor and sponsorship development, and communicates directly with Institute families.

The Director oversees the Institute’s external communications, public relations, and marketing functions, including:

1. Enrollment Marketing and Family Engagement

• Develop and implement enrollment campaigns for the Institute’s Afterschool, Summer, and Community Arts Institute programs.
• Promote programs through digital marketing, paid digital advertising, email marketing, social media, and other appropriate channels.
• Use direct marketing and relationship-based outreach—including phone calls, emails, and follow-up communications—to build relationships with prospective and current families and support enrollment and retention.
• Serve as a point of contact for families, responding to questions and communicating important program information throughout the enrollment process.
• Work closely with program staff to ensure that families receive timely, accurate, accessible, and consistent information.

2. Digital Marketing and Communications

• Maintain the Institute’s digital marketing platforms and collateral, including its website, program webpages, e-newsletters, email campaigns, and social media accounts.
• Keep website content current and publish monthly blog posts.
• Write, design, and distribute the Institute’s monthly e-newsletter and other email communications.
• Manage the Institute’s social media presence, including content planning, production, and scheduling.
• Create and maintain print and digital marketing materials using Canva or comparable graphic design software.
• Track campaign performance, enrollment inquiries, audience engagement, and other relevant analytics, using findings to improve future marketing efforts.

3. Content Creation and Storytelling

• Document the Institute’s programs, events, students, staff, and community through high-quality photography and video.
• Photograph and record routine Institute activities and coordinate with professional contractors when projects require advanced production support.
• Interview students, Youth Leaders, families, staff, donors, and community partners to develop written, photographic, and video testimonials.
• Organize, maintain, and regularly update the Institute’s digital media library.

4. Development and Stakeholder Communications

• Partner with the Director of Development and Board of Directors to support the Imagine 2026 Capital Campaign.
• Support donor solicitation and stewardship through email campaigns, stories, presentations, and other communications, including the development of the Annual Impact Report.
• Support special events and fundraisers through marketing plans, promotional campaigns, event communications, and audience outreach.
• Build and maintain relationships between the Institute and identified community leaders, organizations, schools, funders, and other strategic stakeholders.

5. Leadership and Collaboration

• Collaborate with program, development, and administrative staff to maintain consistent messaging and coordinate organization-wide communications.
• Supervise and mentor staff, interns, or young adults supporting the Institute’s communications work and help them explore career pathways in marketing and communications.

Job Qualifications

The successful applicant must have at least ten (10) years of professional experience, including at least five (5) years of direct experience in communications or marketing, preferably within nonprofit organizations.

The applicant must also have demonstrated experience supervising staff or contractors, managing projects, and coordinating work across multiple departments or stakeholders.

• Excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience with digital marketing, paid advertising, email marketing, websites, social media, and campaign analytics.
• Intermediate photography and videography skills, including interviewing community members and producing testimonials.
• Graphic design experience, preferably using Canva.
• Comfort communicating directly with families and stakeholders by phone and email.
• Professional working fluency in Spanish, preferred.
• A passion for the arts and youth development and a commitment to working within an equity framework.

Compensation

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $70,000–$80,000. The range provided will be evaluated on an individual basis, taking into consideration the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and experience. Benefits include medical and dental coverage, employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance, two weeks of paid vacation, a paid holiday closure, and a semi-hybrid work schedule. The Institute is located in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

About the Institute of Music for Children

The Institute is a community-centered arts organization dedicated to expanding access to high-quality creative learning experiences for young people and families. Through its Afterschool, Summer, and Community Arts Institute programs, it nurtures artistic expression, supports youth development, and builds meaningful connections across the community—all through a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and the transformative power of the arts.