Communications Assistant – The Olana Partnership

The Olana Partnership

The Olana Partnership (TOP) supports the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) in preserving and interpreting Olana State Historic Site (Olana).  TOP is both a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and an education corporation chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York.  TOP’s annual operating budget is $1.5 million.  Through four decades, TOP has harnessed the passion and philanthropic support of thousands of supporters to restore Olana’s treasures of art, architecture, and landscape. TOP’s mission extends to the stewardship of Olana’s nationally-significant viewshed and to developing Olana as a vital educational resource for visitors from across the world and the communities of the region.  TOP’s vision is of a fully-restored Olana, vibrant with the activity of artists, scholars, students, and visitors, that will be the most widely-recognized artist’s home and studio in the world.

Olana State Historic Site

A National Historic Landmark, Olana is the greatest masterpiece of America’s preeminent artist of the mid-19thC, Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900). He achieved international fame with paintings such as Niagara (1857) and The Heart of the Andes (1859) and created Olana over 40 years, beginning in 1860. Church designed every aspect of Olana, the eclectic fantasy of the main house, the bucolic assemblage of the farm complex, and the 250-acre landscape that provide a romantic, picturesque setting for the whole and engages sweeping 360-degree views.  In 2019 there were approximately 170,000 visitors to the landscape and 33,000 visitors to the main house.

Position Description

TOP seeks a Communications Assistant to support its growing communications and marketing needs.  The Communications Assistant will provide exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills.  Candidates should have a ‘can do’ attitude and be flexible with their work and be able to adapt to business demands.  S/he will possess the core competencies of TOP’s communications activities with particular responsibility for coordinating and developing content, tracking analytics, managing the communications calendar, and drafting press releases.  The Communications Assistant will work within and support the Development Office with a primary responsibility toward social media and communications.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist with the implementation of communications strategies
  • Provide communications support to internal teams
  • Draft and edit communications copy (e.g. press releases, publications, social media posts, eblasts)
  • Assist in the design of marketing materials
  • Assist in maintaining web content and executing social media strategies
  • Update databases and media lists
  • Track projects and media exposure
  • Facilitate effective internal communications
  • Maintain calendars and appointments
  • Prepare reports, track and analyze analytics
  • Prepare press kits and coordinate press tours and image permissions
  • Update the website and draft eblasts
  • Update and maintain spreadsheets and data entry
  • Assist Development Department as needed
  • Assist with photography for social media and promotion
  • All other tasks as assigned

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree; Major or concentration in communications, marketing, journalism or equivalent preferred;
  • Substantial experience with social media, preferably in a professional capacity;
  • A command of spreadsheet preparation and analysis as well as proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
  • Experience in Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator);
  • Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to quality in all work;
  • Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal skills;
  • Willingness to have a flexible work schedule including nights and weekends;
  • A collegial approach to her/his work and a sense of humor; and,
  • An appreciation for discretion and confidentiality.

Compensation

Comprehensive benefits package with a starting salary ranging between $36,000-$42,000, depending on experience and qualifications. 

 

Equal Opportunity

We firmly support the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected category pursuant to applicable federal, state or local law.

To Apply

Submit cover letter, resume and any professional/work-related social media to:

Communications Assistant Search

c/o Melanie Hasbrook

The Olana Partnership

PO Box 199

Hudson, NY 12534

mhasbrook@olana.org

Application Deadline: July 16, 2021