Digital Content Strategist at The Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania – Museum Studies

Job Title: Digital Content Strategist

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Salary: $61,046 – $80,000

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Job Description Summary

The Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania seeks a Digital Content Strategist who will oversee the development and implementation of all digital content for ICA, including social media channels, digital advertisements, custom emails, and the ICA website. ICA seeks a creative, self-motivated, and intellectually curious individual to join the Marketing and Communications division in service of ICA’s mission to connect with diverse publics through the support of artists and ideas that explore, contextualize, and resonate with the socio-political conditions of our time. The Digital Content Strategist will be an innovative leader in shaping the digital/technological vision for the institution’s future.

Responsibilities include strategic planning across channels with knowledge of digital platforms and how to leverage and optimize content for each. They will oversee content ideation, creation, and production for all platforms. They will be instrumental in establishing an integrated digital content and communications workflow aligning key dates and deliverables related to all user-facing touch points: website content, email, social media, video, and audio; increase synchronization across departments to present a unified brand identity and singular voice; increase key performance indicators two-fold: social media followers, engagement, and impressions; website sessions and time on site; video views and audio/podcast plays; and email engagement. They will have a proactive and thoughtful approach in how we exist in the digital space.

The Digital Content Strategist acts as project lead for large institution-wide digital initiatives, beginning with ICA’s 60th anniversary, a priority upon arrival, during which several initiatives are planned to kick-off throughout 2024. This individual will work with members of the leadership team across departments and ICA Director to manage related milestones with clear communication and updates on progress, bring in outside expertise as needed.

The Digital Content Strategist will strengthen our impact with more tailored digital programming to raise visibility for our work with a focus on key areas of interest: staff/student voices; artists’ voices; ICA’s history; inquiry-based learning; and short-form video– at a level of excellence on par with our exhibitions. They will lead the expansion of the artist-led presentations we offer to include virtual/social/digital platforms and production of dynamic content related to, but also distinct from, current exhibitions appropriately designed for different platforms. Newly developed content will create deeper, sustained, meaningful engagement with audiences in content that is more available and accessible to people of varying abilities and backgrounds, and inclusive of underrepresented voices.

The ideal candidate for this position is a generous colleague who works well in a team environment. This position requires a savvy, detail-oriented, multi-tasking, and highly motivated strategist with a passion for contemporary art and for reaching diverse audiences, stellar writing skills, and proven success at creating successful digital content and social media marketing, and the management acumen and keen eye for detail required for oversight of key projects and departmental administration. ICA needs a team-oriented, confident, flexible content creator who is skilled at communicating ideas and plans internally across teams. Externally, as a writer this individual considers and is skilled at distinguishing and determining a friendly and approachable tone and voice through engaging and accessibly language without flattening the complexities of challenging contemporary art.

The ICA is a non-collecting laboratory of artistic experimentation that privileges polyvocality, collaboration, and interdisciplinarity. This works takes the form of exhibitions, commissions, performance, publications, and special projects that champion underrecognized artists and ideas.

The institution’s mission is bolstered by its position as a center within the University of Pennsylvania. Working within a leading research university provides multiple opportunities to be in dialogue and to collaborate with colleagues and students across campus. ICA’s location in University City also mandates that its work connects with its immediate neighbors in West Philadelphia while staying in dialogue with the concerns of a broader, international art community.

The Digital Content Strategist is integral to supporting ICA in its commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable institution; treating colleagues and partners fairly and respectfully; and recognizing the value that diverse backgrounds and perspectives bring to our organization is vital to this position.

Job Responsibilities

Work with a cross-departmental team to develop a strategic direction for digital engagement that is consistent with ICA’s core values.
Conceive, initiate, and drive digital projects that push industry boundaries and visitor expectations, with 60th anniversary-related projects a priority.
Collaborate with curatorial and interpretation staff to create engaging digital content that extends the visitor experience beyond the exhibition, allowing visitors to explore deeper levels of information.
Ensure all digital engagement efforts are fully integrated with ICA’s marketing and advertising program; ensure ICA is leveraging analytics to optimize its efforts; work closely with Director and full leadership team to consult with stakeholders from across ICA in support their digital evaluation efforts.
Provide interactive technology guidance, support, and assistance to other ICA departments, including development, marketing, programming, etc.
Work collaboratively with teams on development, management and organization of Digital Asset Management system.
Assist the Development department with technology-related grants and relationship building with other organizations/projects using digital/technology in innovative ways.
Serve as a key liaison with technology partners across Penn, who are both key audience members and potential sources of support.

Qualifications

Bachelors degree in design, education, studio art, technology or other related fields, and 5 to 7 years of experience in digital experience or design in a museum or other arts institution, or equivalent combination of education and experience, are required.
Masters degree in design, education, studio art, technology or other related field.
Knowledge and networks of current best practices both in museums and beyond.
Excellent project manager, with experience formulating timelines, instituting clear workflow processes, and enforcing deadlines.
Proven ability to produce high-quality digital content from ideations through final evaluation, and/or bring together freelance expertise to help produce.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Highly organized and capable of managing multiple concurrent project workstreams.
Knowledgeable of latest trends and best practices for in-gallery technologies and interfaces.
Ability to think creatively and strategically.
Expert-level knowledge in digital engagement platforms, strategies, and emerging approaches.
Innovative thinker with a proven track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output.
Strong knowledge of art, visual culture, interpretation and digital engagement and an enthusiasm and interest in contemporary art and storytelling.
Knowledge of best practices in accessible and universal design.
Understanding of primary critical metrics that determine the success of digital interactives and engagement.

Application Requirement

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Pay Range

$61,046.00 – $80,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn’s exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you’ll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

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