Director of Marketing, Communications

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Marketing, Communications 

Salt Lake City Public Library  |  Salt Lake City, Utah

Full-Time  |  Hybrid  | Starting at $111,675.20   |  Reports to Chief Development Officer

About Salt Lake City Public Library

Salt Lake City Public Library serves 220,000 residents across 9 branches, providing programs, events, and resources that connect, educate, and inspire. We believe libraries are more than collections, they are gathering places, stages for ideas, and engines of community life.

We are seeking a bold, strategic communicator and experienced people leader to serve as our Director of Marketing, Communications and Events. This role combines deep media fluency, integrated marketing leadership, and oversight of a professional event services operation under one visionary director.

This person will lead a team of eight, a four-person marketing and communications department and a four-person event services team -- and will serve as the Library's chief storyteller, brand steward, and on-camera media presence.

Critically, this role is a strategic fundraising partner. The Director will use marketing, communications, media, and event services as tools to elevate the Library's profile, cultivate community investment, and directly support the Foundation's revenue goals. The right candidate understands that great storytelling and smart brand-building do not just inform the public -- they move donors to give.

Library staff are highly engaged, purpose-driven, people-centered, and express a high level of satisfaction with their work. The City Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

  Click here to learn more about what makes The City Library a great place to work and why Salt Lake City is a great place to call home.  

A Note on Foundation Alignment:  This role reports to the Executive Director of the Salt Lake City Public Library Foundation and Chief Advancement Officer. The Director of Marketing, Communications and Events is a key strategic partner in the Foundation's fundraising mission -- using the power of brand, storytelling, media, and events to cultivate donors, elevate the Library's profile, and drive revenue that supports the entire system.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director of Marketing, Communications and Events provides strategic leadership across all marketing, communications, media, and event services functions. This is a senior leadership role operating at the intersection of brand, community engagement, advancement, and public presence.

The ideal candidate brings the media fluency of a seasoned public spokesperson and the strategic depth of an integrated marketing leader, paired with the operational know-how to oversee a professional event services team that supports both Library-led programming and patron and community group bookings across the system.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop an eight-person team across Marketing and Communications (4) and Event Services (4), building a culture of collaboration, accountability, and service excellence
• Set clear goals, provide regular coaching and feedback, and conduct performance reviews for all direct reports
• Establish and continuously refine workflows and processes across both departments to ensure operational efficiency and cross-team cohesion
• Serve as a senior member of the Advancement leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy, budget planning, and institutional priorities in partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer

Marketing, Communications and Brand

• Develop and execute an integrated annual marketing and communications strategy that builds the Library's brand, grows community awareness, and drives measurable program and event attendance
• Serve as the Library's primary brand steward, owning and protecting voice, visual identity, and messaging consistency across all touchpoints
• Lead all earned media strategy: cultivate and maintain relationships with local, regional, and statewide press; serve as primary media contact and institutional spokesperson
• Write and prepare executive communications including talking points, speeches, and media briefs for the Library Director and senior leadership
• Oversee all digital and traditional channels: social media, email marketing, website content, print, advertising, and direct mail
• Develop and track KPIs and performance metrics; translate data into actionable strategy

Media Presence and Public Communications

• Serve as a confident, on-camera spokesperson for the Library in broadcast, digital video, and live public settings, including press appearances, recorded segments, social video, and community events
• Prepare leadership and staff for media interviews and public appearances; develop media training protocols as needed
• Lead the development of video content, multimedia storytelling, and public-facing communications that extend the Library's reach and mission
• Manage communications and logistics for complex, high-profile media events featuring notable guests, elected officials, or community leaders

Foundation and Advancement Alignment

• Partner with the Executive Director of the Foundation and Chief Development Officer to develop marketing and communications strategies that directly support The Salt Lake City Library Foundation

Event Services Operations

The Event Services team functions as the Library's in-house event logistics and production operation. They support Library staff planning programs and public events, and serve patrons and community organizations booking meeting rooms and large-scale rental spaces across the system. This team does not plan Library events -- they execute them with professionalism and precision.

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the four-person Event Services team, including A/V support staff, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery across all 9 branches
• Develop and maintain systems, standards, and workflows for room bookings, rental agreements, setup and breakdown, A/V production, and on-site event support
• Serve as the senior point of accountability for all event services, from small meeting room bookings to large-scale community and revenue-generating rentals
• Manage and grow the Library's venue rental program as a revenue stream, including pricing structures, client relations, and capacity planning
• Ensure the team provides a seamless, professional experience for all clients -- internal Library departments, individual patrons, nonprofit organizations, and private event renters
• Oversee A/V equipment inventory, maintenance, and staff training to ensure technical readiness across all venues
• Partner with Facilities, Security, and Library leadership to coordinate logistics for high-traffic or high-profile events

Social Media and Digital Engagement

• Own and oversee the Library's social media strategy across all platforms.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with the Development team to align communications and marketing strategy with donor engagement and fundraising goals
• Collaborate with branch managers and program staff to surface stories, amplify community impact, and ensure Library-wide voice consistency
• Coordinate with Facilities, IT, and Security teams to support seamless event services operations across all locations
• Serve as a key liaison between Marketing, Event Services, Development, Programs, and senior leadership

Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, media relations, or event services management, with at least 3 years in a director or senior leadership role
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing multi-person teams
• Proven on-camera spokesperson experience in broadcast, digital video, or live public settings -- comfortable and compelling in front of a camera or at a podium
• Demonstrated social media strategy experience across multiple platforms
• Strong written and verbal communications skills; exceptional storytelling instincts
• Budget management experience

Preferred

• Experience managing venue rentals or event services as a revenue-generating function, including client relations, pricing, and capacity planning
• Familiarity with A/V systems, production equipment, or technical event support operations
• Background in a public library, nonprofit, academic institution, arts organization, civic engagement, or other mission-driven environment
• Experience developing executive communications, media training programs, or spokesperson preparation
• Familiarity with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Bloomerang), event management software, marketing automation tools, and analytics dashboards
• A genuine passion for public services, literacy, community access, and the unique role libraries play in civic life

What We Offer

• Grade 35; pay range $111,675.20 to $167,523.20. Compensation is commensurate with experience.  
• This is a full time position and includes excellent benefits such as paid vacation, health and life insurance, and Utah Retirement Systems benefits.
• A mission-driven culture where your work directly and visibly serves the Salt Lake City community
• Senior leadership role with real strategic influence and a seat at the Advancement table
• A rare opportunity to lead a unified Marketing, Communications and Event Services operation at one of Utah's most beloved and trusted public institutions

How to Apply

• Apply on our website.
• Open until filled, with preference given to candidates who apply by August 5, 2026.