Senior Brand & Marketing Strategist (Contractor)

SENIOR BRAND & MARKETING STRATEGIST (CONTRACTOR)
Engagement:

Contract 15-20 hours/week

Duration:

May – October 2026 (6 months)

Location:

Remote with in-person work in Palo Alto, CA at key milestones

Reporting To:

President & CEO

Position Summary
The Palo Alto Museum is a new civic cultural institution opening in Fall 2026. This is a founding moment — and the brand strategy established here will shape how the institution is understood for years to come.

We are seeking a senior brand strategist for a focused advisory engagement designed to produce a tight, actionable brand foundation — not a comprehensive agency overhaul. The work will equip leadership with a clear, differentiated positioning and a messaging platform that the team can execute against immediately, across public-facing, press, and donor contexts.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience translating complex organizational missions into compelling public narratives, with a track record in cultural institutions, nonprofits, or mission-driven organizations. Familiarity with the cultural sector and an appreciation for the role museums play is essential.

About the Museum
Opening in 2026, the Palo Alto Museum is transforming a historic landmark into a vibrant civic, cultural, and educational hub. Through dynamic exhibitions, public programs, and experiences for all ages, the Museum explores Palo Alto stories that shape our community and the world. Join us as we preserve the past, strengthen our community today, and inspire a brighter future together.

Scope of Work
Brand Positioning & Narrative

Define a clear, differentiated brand position that distinguishes the Palo Alto Museum within the regional and national cultural landscape

Develop a core institutional narrative — the story of why this museum, why now, and why it matters

Develop a concise messaging framework covering mission, voice, tone, and key audience segments

Prioritize 2–3 audience segments and identify what each needs to hear

Develop a compelling case for support — the foundational donor narrative that articulates the museum’s vision, community impact, and philanthropic opportunity

Translate institutional mission into donor‑specific language: why give, what gifts make possible, and how donors become part of the museum’s founding story

Create audience‑differentiated fundraising messages for major gift prospects, community donors, and corporate/foundation partners

Provide language and frameworks for the launch and early growth campaign, including lead gift cultivation, naming opportunities, and membership acquisition

Coordinate closely to ensure messaging aligns with leadership needs

Launch Strategy & Communications

Shape high‑level launch strategy: channel priorities, audience sequencing, and communication timing

Develop media narrative and executive talking points for press, community, and donor audiences

Serve as strategic advisor to leadership through launch, providing feedback on content as it is developed

Deliverable Description
Brand & Messaging Brief 10–15 pages. Positioning foundation, narrative architecture, and strategic rationale.

Core Messaging Toolkit Positioning statement, audience‑specific messages (public, press, donor), and voice & tone guide.

Donor Narrative & Case Statement Framework Foundational case for support, differentiated donor messages by segment (major gifts, community, corporate/foundation), and language for naming and lead gift opportunities.

Launch Strategy Channel priorities, audience sequencing, communication timeline, and success metrics.

Media Narrative & Talking Points Press‑ready narrative and executive talking points for opening announcements, media interviews, and community engagement.

Qualifications

10+ years in brand strategy, marketing, or communications

Demonstrated experience with cultural institutions, nonprofits, or civic organizations

Proven ability to distill complex missions into clear, differentiated positioning

Successful track record developing donor‑facing narratives, cases for support, or fundraising communications

Strong executive communication and stakeholder alignment skills

Comfortable working lean — high impact within a constrained scope

Genuine curiosity about art, culture, or civic life, and an appreciation for the role museums play in community identity

Success Looks Like

Leadership Aligned: Leadership is aligned on a clear, differentiated brand position before launch — and can articulate it consistently across public, press, and donor contexts.

Team Ready to Execute: The content and communications team has a messaging toolkit they can act against immediately, without needing to interpret or reinvent the strategy.

Press‑Ready Narrative: A launch narrative is ready for media outreach, community announcements, and opening events.

Development Team Equipped: The development team has a compelling case for support and donor messaging they can deploy — with language calibrated for major gift prospects, community donors, and institutional funders.

Founding Story Established: The Palo Alto Museum enters its public life with a clear sense of who it is, who it serves, and why it matters.

Location, Working Model, Compensation
Location: Primarily remote, with in-person work at the Museum in Palo Alto, California at key milestones to be mutually confirmed:

Kickoff (May 2026) — stakeholder immersion, discovery sessions, and strategic alignment

Pre‑launch messaging alignment (mid‑June 2026) — review and refinement of messaging toolkit with leadership

Team training and integration (early August)

Launch window (Fall 2026) — on‑site advisory support during grand opening

Ongoing advisory support between milestones, including leadership check‑ins and feedback on content as it is developed. Additional scope may be accommodated via amendment.

Compensation: $35,000‑$50,000 for 6 months, depending on experience. Scope is for an average of 15‑20 hours/week; priorities will be sequenced to align with available hours.

Portfolio of samples of relevant past work

Three professional references

Please include the job title that you are applying for in the subject line of your email.

The Palo Alto Museum is an equal opportunity employer and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and inclusive leadership. The Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.

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