Director, Press and Communications presso Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art · Los Angeles, Stati Uniti d'America · Hybrid
- Ufficio in Los Angeles
ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART
Opening in September 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to illustrated storytelling. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F. Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb; and photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The Museum also houses the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career.
Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the Museum is in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Press and Communications (DPC) will serve as the Museum’s lead strategist and spokesperson for all public, institutional, and media communications. Reporting to the Chief Revenue and Engagement Officer, the DPC will work closely with the Founders, CEO, external stakeholders, and other members of the senior leadership team to shape, protect, and promote the Lucas Museum’s public voice and reputation.
This role leads the strategy and implementation of all press, public relations, media partnerships, institutional announcements, and content positioning—ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment with the Museum’s mission and values. The DPC will cultivate and manage relationships with media and key external stakeholders while developing internal systems that ensure effective, timely, and proactive communication.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Strategic Communications
- Working closely with leadership and external stakeholders, develop and execute a comprehensive press and communications strategy that advances the Museum’s mission, enhances public awareness, and strengthens its national and international reputation
- Serve as primary spokesperson for the Museum, representing its leadership and programs across all media channels
- Partner with leadership and program teams to craft messaging that communicates institutional priorities, exhibitions, programs, and initiatives
- Anticipate and manage communications issues, risks, and opportunities, lead on crisis communications and sensitive matters with sound judgment and discretion
- Ensure alignment and consistency of institutional messaging across internal and external audiences
- Press and Public Relations
- Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and influencers across art, culture, entertainment, philanthropy, and general-interest media
- Secure high-quality, strategic coverage for Museum activities, exhibitions, and leadership in major regional, national, and international outlets
- Oversee press releases, media advisories, op-eds, statements, and related materials; edit and approve all outgoing public communications
- Prepare leadership and staff for media engagements, speeches, and public appearances through briefings, messaging guidance, and talking points
- Manage press events, previews, and public announcements in collaboration with relevant departments
- Secure and manage institutional- and project-based external public relationships agencies
- Digital and Institutional Communications
- Oversee the Museum’s editorial voice across digital platforms, newsletters, and official statements
- Collaborate with the digital team to ensure institutional messaging is reflected consistently online and through social media
- Develop content calendars and storytelling initiatives that amplify the Museum’s voice and public impact
- Leadership and Team Management
- Recruit, mentor, and manage a small but high-performing communications team to deliver best-in-class press and communications outcomes
- Establish annual goals, performance indicators, and reporting systems to evaluate impact and visibility
- Foster an environment of collaboration, integrity, and creative problem-solving across departments
- Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership and staff on communication strategies, tone, and positioning
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision.
- Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible.
- Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders.
- Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity.
- Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely.
- Building Trust & Relationship Management
- Accountable Ownership and clearly shares information and the "why" behind decisions.
- Asks for and values the opinions of others. Displays empathy when listening.
- Acknowledges when trust has been broken and focuses on rebuilding.
- Relates comfortably with people across levels, functions, cultures, and geographies. Identifies interpersonal and group dynamics and reacts effectively.
- Accountable Ownership
- Takes ownership of outcomes, positive or negative, without blaming others within the team or cross-functionally.
- Recognizes when they are not approaching a situation with accountability but instead with a blame mindset.
- Takes accountability for assigned tasks and executes on deliverables in a timely manner.
- Strategic Alignment & Execution
- Contributes to the organization by understanding and aligning actions with the organization's goals, core functions, needs, and values.
- Seeks out and incorporates multiple perspectives, experiences, and industry trends to develop a holistic perspective. Operationalizes ideas within the business model.
- Displays critical thinking when faced with a challenge by asking probing questions and looking for connections.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education / Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred
- Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or media management, ideally in the arts, culture, or nonprofit sectors
- Proven success managing high-profile media relations and institutional communications
- Experience serving as a spokesperson for a large or complex organization
- Demonstrated record of securing major press coverage and managing communication strategies across multiple platforms
- Skills and Knowledge
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Strong strategic planning and crisis management capabilities
- Established media network across cultural and news outlets
- Comfort working with senior leadership and boards
- Familiarity with digital storytelling, social media strategy, and emerging communication trends
- Abilities
- Self-directed, results-oriented, and collaborative
- Ability to work effectively with diverse audiences and communities
- Commitment to the Museum’s mission and values, including diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.
The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.
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The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to the art of illustrated stories. Our mission is to inspire and connect people through the exploration of visual stories and their influences in society.
VALUES
Our internal and external practices are shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.
People First: We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what they find emotional in works of art.
Inspired: We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.
Collaborative: We believe that nimble thinking and working together yield exponential results.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Narrative Art:
Amplify the social impact of storytelling and illustration.
Community:
Connect to a broad and diverse public.
Operational Excellence:
Create a healthy and durable institution.
All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.
Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).
Pursuant to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the museum requires all new hires to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical and/or religious exemption. Upon hire, all new hires will receive detailed instructions on complying with this policy. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
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