HIRING

Independent Arts & Media is hiring! 

Communications Specialist

IAM is currently accepting applications for a part-time Communications Specialist. This is a non-exempt, part-time W2 employee position to work between 25 to 30 hours per week, eligible for retirement benefits, accrued Vacation and Paid Sick Leave, and paid one-week winter break. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications accepted until September 22, 2025

Hourly Rate: $35-50 per hour commensurate with experience.

The Communications Specialist will work directly with IAM's Executive Director and Affiliate Services Coordinator to support the communication needs of our direct programming, events, and fiscal sponsorship services, including but not limited to managing IAM’s email newsletters, social media accounts, and website content. This position is an integral part of our tight-knit team that celebrates the independent, community-driven, and collaborative spirit of our mission. They will be a creative, forward thinker who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions. (Please note that this position is not intended to oversee and develop our Affiliates’ communication strategies.)

This is a dynamic hybrid position with time split between working remotely, the IAM office in San Francisco, and potential site visits with Affiliate projects; candidates will be encouraged to work at least one day a week in IAM’s office at the Pacific Felt Factory (2830 20th Street, San Francisco). Offsite work hours will be coordinated with the Executive Director.

Start date is flexible, but preference will be given to candidates available to begin on or around October 15, 2025.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Serve as primary manager to develop, implement, and oversee all IAM communication strategies (internal and external), including but not limited to managing IAM’s email newsletters, social media accounts, website content, and outreach/engagement lists;
  • Work collaboratively with ED and Affiliate Services Coordinator to strategize promoting IAM’s fiscal sponsorship services, events, and programming to Affiliates and the general public;
  • Write and edit a wide range of digital content, such as website content, social media posts, email newsletters, and other internal and external communications;
  • Manage IAM’s social media presence, including content creation, engagement, and monitoring;
  • Support all IAM programming with digital content creation and graphic design, as needed;
  • Work with Affiliate Services Coordinator and engage with Affiliates directly to identify Affiliate events, programming, and content for IAM’s communication platforms (eg, email, website, social media);
  • Support Affiliates with accessing IAM’s communication and promotional services;
  • Serve as a resource and thought-partner to Affiliates developing their own communication strategies;
  • Maintain and update the IAM website, including Affiliate webpages and galleries;
  • Maintain, update and manage IAM’s outreach/engagement lists;
  • Support Affiliate Services Coordinator with updating the online Member Center with new Affiliate resources and Calendar events;
  • Protect and promote the organization’s brand identity and reputation across all communication channels;
  • Collaborate closely with all IAM staff, board members, volunteers, contractors, and collaborating partners to ensure consistent messaging and to support related communication needs;
  • Manage communications budget and resources effectively;
  • Willingness to participate in and attend IAM events, including in-person social events with Affiliates and community partners; and
  • Additional projects as assigned by ED.

 

Qualifications

  • Strong desire to support IAM’s mission
  • Minimum 2 years in a communications management or leadership position with a cultural or social impact organization
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
  • Strong understanding of communication principles and best practices
  • Familiar with and experience in social media best practices and trends
  • Well organized and close attention to detail
  • Ability to interact with a diverse community of artists, media producers, journalists, culture-makers, administrators, educators, funders, and organizational partners
  • Strong organizational and prioritization skills; ability to manage and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
  • Demonstrated flexibility in dealing with unpredictable pressures and a variable flow of work activity with a small staff
  • Demonstrated expertise with graphic design software (eg, Canva, Illustrator, PhotoShop), social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky), website platforms (Wordpress), and email marketing platforms (MailChimp)
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office programs, Google Suite, Zoom, and cloud-based record-management systems (Google Drive, Dropbox, Box)
  • Comfortable learning new technologies
  • Preferred skills, but not mandatory:
    • Knowledge of fiscal sponsorship services
    • Bay Area artistic community
    • Experience with Google Ads

 

Physical Requirements

With or without reasonable accommodation(s), the essential functions of this position require certain physical and mental abilities. These abilities include, but are not limited to: sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting (up to 25 lbs.), typing, writing (in English), reading (English), speaking (English), seeing, hearing, basic mathematical calculations, problem solving, reasoning, composition, and decision-making. 

All of the qualifications and responsibilities outlined above are essential job functions; individuals may be required to perform other duties, subject to reasonable accommodation.

 

Working Conditions

  • Part-time, non-exempt W2 employee position, approximately 25-30 hours per week
  • Currently living in the Bay Area or willing to relocate 
  • This is a hybrid position: flexible hours, split time between working remotely, IAM office in San Francisco, and site visits with Affiliate projects,
  • Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required

 

Compensation

  • Commensurate with experience: anticipated hourly rate $35-50 per hour
  • Accrued Vacation PTO and Paid Sick Leave, plus one week paid time off between December 25th to January 1st
  • Monthly remote work stipend 
  • Eligible for 401(k) plan after six months

 

TO APPLY

Please send your cover letter, resume, 2-3 relevant work samples, and 3 professional references to hiring@artsandmedia.net with the subject line “Communications Specialist.”  In your cover letter, please address why you think you are a good fit for our organization.

Work samples may include email newsletters, social media posts, website content to which you were a significant contributor. Please submit samples that you think best represent your skills and design style. Samples developed in collaboration with teams are welcome, but please include a description of your portion of the contribution.

 

Photo courtesy of SF Art Book Fair; photo by Aaron Wojack