The Vice President of Marketing provides strategic leadership for the Putnam Museum & Science Center’s marketing, communications, brand, audience development, and promotional efforts. As a member of the Leadership Team, this position plays a critical role in strengthening the Putnam’s visibility, growing attendance and membership, expanding tourism audiences, and advancing the Museum’s financial sustainability.
The Vice President of Marketing is both a strategist and a hands-on leader who can translate institutional priorities into compelling campaigns that inspire people to visit, join, participate, give, and engage. The successful candidate will combine creativity with data-driven decision-making and understand that marketing success is measured not simply by activity or impressions, but by meaningful results and audience growth.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Marketing & Leadership Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy aligned with the Putnam’s mission, strategic plan, audience goals, and financial priorities.
Serve as an active member of the Leadership Team, contributing to institution-wide strategy, planning, and decision-making.
Establish annual marketing goals, budgets, performance indicators, and campaign priorities.
Monitor cultural, tourism, entertainment, museum, and consumer trends to identify new opportunities.
Balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution in a collaborative nonprofit environment.
Audience Growth, Tourism & Revenue Lead strategies to increase attendance, membership, repeat visitation, and earned revenue.
Expand the Putnam’s reach throughout the Quad Cities and regional tourism markets, positioning the Museum as a must-see destination.
Develop targeted strategies for families, tourists, members, schools, adults, young professionals, and new audiences.
Use audience, attendance, ticketing, digital, and campaign data to guide decisions and measure results.
Partner with Guest Services, Membership, Development, and other departments to strengthen conversion, engagement, and financial sustainability.
Brand, Communications & Promotion Serve as steward of the Putnam brand and develop compelling messaging that communicates the Museum’s mission, impact, relevance, and value.
Oversee advertising, public and media relations, digital communications, email marketing, website content, social media, print materials, signage, and other promotional channels.
Develop integrated marketing strategies for exhibitions, Giant Screen films, educational programs, signature events, membership initiatives, and major institutional priorities.
Build relationships with media, tourism organizations, cultural institutions, businesses, and community partners to expand the Putnam’s reach.
Serve as an organizational spokesperson as appropriate.
Digital Marketing & Analytics Lead digital strategy across paid, owned, and earned channels.
Measure campaign effectiveness, audience behavior, conversions, engagement, and return on investment.
Use data, testing, and audience segmentation to continually improve marketing effectiveness.
Identify emerging technologies and tools that can strengthen audience engagement and organizational efficiency.
Team & Resource Management Lead, coach, and develop Marketing team members while establishing clear expectations and accountability.
Manage the department budget, vendors, agencies, contractors, and other external resources.
Establish effective workflows and marketing timelines that support institutional priorities.
Work collaboratively across departments to ensure programs and initiatives have clear audiences, goals, promotional strategies, and measures of success.
Foster a culture that values creativity, collaboration, quality, accountability, and impact.
LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS Think institutionally - Make decisions based on what is best for the Putnam as a whole.
Communicate intentionally - Share information proactively, ask questions early, listen well, and communicate clearly and respectfully.
Own the outcome - Take accountability for results and help identify solutions when challenges arise.
Model professionalism, collaboration, adaptability, and high standards of performance.
Develop and empower team members while maintaining accountability.
Understand the relationship between mission, audience impact, and long-term financial sustainability.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, business, nonprofit management, or a related field, or equivalent education and relevant experience.
Significant progressive experience in marketing, communications, brand management, audience development, or a related field.
Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic marketing plans and integrated campaigns.
Experience connecting marketing strategy to measurable organizational outcomes.
Experience managing staff, budgets, vendors, and multiple priorities.
Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Experience with digital marketing, social media, email marketing, websites, analytics, and audience data.
Ability to think strategically while remaining willing and able to execute work in a hands-on environment.
Preferred:
Senior-level marketing leadership experience in a museum, cultural institution, tourism organization, attraction, entertainment venue, nonprofit, or other audience-driven organization; experience marketing to local and tourism audiences; and knowledge of the Quad Cities region.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & EXPECTATIONS The Vice President of Marketing works in a dynamic, public-facing museum environment. Some evening and weekend work is required for major programs, events, media opportunities, and community activities. The position is expected to maintain a visible presence throughout the Museum and develop strong working relationships across departments and throughout the community.
ABOUT THE PUTNAM The Putnam Museum & Science Center is a community anchor dedicated to creating experiences that inspire curiosity, ignite discovery, and strengthen our community. For more than 150 years, the Putnam has connected generations through science, history, culture, education, film, collections, and shared experiences.
Today, the Putnam is building upon that legacy with renewed exhibitions and experiences, expanded educational opportunities, a Giant Screen Theater, major community partnerships, and an ambitious vision for its future. The Vice President of Marketing will play a critical role in telling that story, growing our audiences, and helping ensure a vibrant and financially sustainable Putnam for generations to come.
Putnam Museum and Science Center is an equal opportunity employer.
