Head of Marketing Strategy

Crystal Bridges - Museum of American Art; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville seeks a Head of Marketing Strategy to guide market-informed plans that position the museum and The Momentary to diverse audiences. You will lead a team of brand communications, content, and digital specialists, translating insights into campaigns and briefs.

The role emphasizes customer experience, data-driven decision making, and cross‑functional leadership, partnering with curatorial, development, and operations to advance institutional

Qualifications

• Experience leading strategic marketing initiatives for museums or cultural institutions.
• Ability to translate audience insights into campaign briefs and plans.
• Strong collaboration with internal teams and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of campaign strategies for exhibitions, programs, and brand initiatives.
• Advise department leadership on priorities and ensure alignment across teams.
• Translate plans into project documentation, timelines, and deliverables.
• Champion a customer experience-focused approach to brand management and marketing strategy.
• Oversee cross-functional processes and collaboration across departments.

Skills

Marketing strategy

Brand management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

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 ana