Head of Marketing Strategy

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, seeks a Head of Marketing Strategy to lead brand development and audience-first campaigns for Crystal Bridges and The Momentary. This on-site senior role partners across departments to translate insights into strategic plans and compelling narratives.

You will oversee paid media, drive audience insights, and mentor a high-performing team while balancing budget, governance, and vendor relationships to advance institutional goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business management, arts, or related field.
• 5–7+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or marketing with expertise in strategic marketing, campaign management, or audience development.
• 2–3+ years of leadership experience, including staff supervision, performance management, coaching, and professional development.
• Experience managing paid advertising programs and vendor relationships.
• Agency experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of campaign strategies for exhibitions, music and performing arts, public programs, ticketed events, membership, general awareness, and brand initiatives.
• Serve on the department leadership team as an advisor and brand strategy checkpoint for cross-functional teams.
• Lead the development of strategic marketing plans, including audience personas, barriers to entry, positioning, messaging, and channel strategies.

Skills

Strategic marketing

Campaign management

Audience development

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Vendor relationships

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications/marketing/business management/arts

Job description

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non‑profit charitable organization.

Job Description

Job Title: Head of Marketing Strategy

Reports to: Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Location: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site)

Date Reviewed: 10/24/26

About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non‑profit charitable organization with free admission. In June 2026, Crystal Bridges' 114,000 square foot expansion opened to the public, allowing the museum to expand access for all.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a 'living room' where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

About The Position

The Head of Marketing Strategy is a lead strategist who collaboratively works across a full team of brand communications, content, creative, production, and digital media specialists to develop market‑informed plans that successfully position Crystal Bridges and the Momentary to a range of audiences and stakeholders. The Head of Marketing Strategy is a critical and hands‑on liaison, trusted thought partner and advisor to internal and external stakeholders in the development of Marketing and Communications programs, helping cull ideas and tactics into thoughtful strategic plans.

The Head of Marketing Strategy is a subject matter expert in marketing strategy and champions institutional efforts to embrace a customer experience (CX) and digital‑first mindset. This role balances strategic direction and team leadership with hands‑on development of marketing strategies, campaign briefs, audience insights, and performance recommendations, partnering with departmental teams to support execution.

Success in this role requires strategic marketing expertise, strong analytical and collaboration skills, and the ability to lead and develop staff while managing multiple stakeholders and priorities.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Marketing Strategy and Brand Management

• Lead the development of campaign strategies for exhibitions, music and performing arts, public programs, ticketed events, membership, general awareness, and brand initiatives. Contribute to annual, multi-year, and ad hoc Marketing and Communications plans that support institutional goals and priorities.
• Serve on the department’s leadership team as an advisor and brand strategy checkpoint for departmental teams including Public and Media Relations, Creative, Digital, and Operations teams, ensuring alignment of priorities and activities.
• Lead the development of strategic marketing plans, including audience personas, barriers to entry, positioning, messaging, channel strategies, and tactical approaches. Collaborates closely with the department leadership and project managers to translate these plans into detailed project documentation, timelines, and deliverables.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the Crystal Bridges and Momentary brands and connect their strengths and differentiators to strategic efforts such as go-to-market plans and campaign briefs, grounding all work in research and insight.
• Champion the institution’s adoption of a customer experience-focused approach to brand management, marketing strategy, and portfolio planning.

Marketing Operations and Collaboration

• Oversee the museum’s paid advertising program, including the development and implementation of media strategies across digital, print, out-of-home, radio, and emerging channels. Manage vendor relationships and media buys, ensuring campaigns are optimized, on budget, and aligned with institutional objectives.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination among internal teams and external project stakeholders.
• Help develop, evaluate, and improve cross-functional processes, workflows, and collaboration practices across departments.
• Collaborate with key vendors and external stakeholders such as agencies, community partners, and artist representatives, and serve as the primary liaison for select relationships.
• Support department budget planning and management, including forecasting, reporting, and monthly reconciliations.
• Lead reporting and analysis for designated marketing activities and offer recommendations to improve performance and inform future strategies, messaging, and media investments.
• Serve as backup to other department leaders as needed.

Team Leadership

• Establish clear expectations, priorities, and accountability measures to support effective team performance and achievement of departmental goals.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing team fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and growth.
• Promote continuous improvement, professional development, and collaboration within the assigned team to drive results and support organizational priorities.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new team members to ensure alignment with organizational standards and practices.
• Monitor and manage team performance, addressing attendance, conduct, or productivity issues promptly and professionally.
• Encourage team member engagement through recognition and open communication practices.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs.

Qualifications And Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business management, arts, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, relevant certifications, and professional experience.
• 5–7+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or marketing, with demonstrated expertise in strategic marketing, campaign management, or audience development.
• 2–3+ years of progressive leadership experience leading and developing teams, including direct responsibility for staff supervision, performance management, coaching, and professional development.
• Experience managing paid advertising programs and vendor relationships.
• Agency experience is a plus.

Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic marketing plans aligned with organizational goals, balancing strategic direction and team leadership with hands‑on strategy development and collaboration with departmental teams to support execution.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using data and insights to inform marketing and audience development strategies.
• Experience creating and applying audience personas and identifying barriers to engagement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Strong organizational, critical thinking, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and initiative while contributing effectively both independently and as part of a team, including the ability to remain focused and steady during periods of transition, uncertainty, or operational strain.
• Commitment to the highest ethical standards and professional integrity.
• Knowledge of museum operations, the arts industry, and arts marketing is a plus.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Physical Demands

In the work environment described, the position requires sitting, standing, and walking; utilizing a computer and telephone for prolonged periods of time; and lifting and transporting items weighing up to 10 pounds. Visual abilities required include close vision and color perception to review marketing materials, creative assets, and digital content.

Work Environment

Work is performed on-site in office environments and other museum spaces. This role requires working in an open setting near colleagues. The noise level is typically low to moderate. The role also requires regular interaction with both the public and internal team members in a professional and courteous manner. Some travel may be required, and a flexible schedule may be necessary to accommodate business needs, including occasional evening and weekend work hours.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, the employee must provide proper identification verifying eligibility to work in the United States.