Description

Full-time, Exempt

 
Background
Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, the Frick is known for its distinguished Old Master paintings and outstanding examples of European sculpture and decorative arts.

The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings—which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century—have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Research Library, founded in 1920 by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of the museum’s founder. Recognized as one of the world’s top art history research centers, it has served students, scholars, and members of the public free of charge for generations.

The Frick has undergone a comprehensive renovation and was open in a temporary home, Frick Madison, from 2020 through early 2024, while renovations were underway at the mansion on 70th Street. In addition to special exhibition galleries and education spaces, we have added enhanced visitor amenities and accessible spaces. The Museum and Art Research Library reopened to the public in April 2025.

Workplace culture

At the Frick Collection, we pride ourselves on promoting an open and welcoming workplace culture that supports work-life balance. The Frick strives to provide our employees with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits in a beautiful and pleasant work setting, while offering an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art. 

The Frick Collection  provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to personal characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, or other characteristics protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Position Summary

The Manager of Communications plays an integral role in the Communications Department, which focuses on press/earned media and institutional messaging to support public engagement with The Frick Collection. A seasoned colleague in the role will work alongside and report to the department’s Associate Director. On the heels of the completion of the institution’s renovation and enhancement in 2025, it is an optimal time to contribute strategically and creatively to this team’s efforts to broaden press engagement with the Frick’s holdings, offerings, and unique historic setting.

As a publicist, the Manager of Communications handles a range of projects for the team, having ownership of press campaigns and press release writing, as assigned. These campaigns may relate to institutional news, special exhibitions, publications, special events, and staffing/leadership updates. An ongoing and distinct responsibility of this role comprises campaigns promoting educational and concert programming and retail offerings. The Manager also meets proactively with curatorial, marketing, and other teams, as appropriate, to develop communication plans and maintain media resources. 

The Manager serves as the lead point-person organizing press previews, coordinating editorial photoshoots, and maintaining a robust and researched list of press contacts. They will also be called upon to represent the institution, as assigned, in a variety of circumstances. In keeping with the brand identity, this role also organizes and formats press kit materials and manages the institution’s press webpage. 

This role is also a key manager of media relations and research. The Manager monitors and analyzes relevant press coverage of the Frick and the broader cultural sphere, preparing regular reports with this information, in addition to cultivating and maintaining relationships with media, researching new contacts, and creating targeted press lists. Critically, they also operate as a funnel for incoming requests for interviews, information, and digital assets. 

Skills and Requirements 

The education and/or experience requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. 

• Knowledge of communications and PR best practices 
• An interest in fine and decorative arts (interest in historic sites and classical music is a plus) 
• Strong and strategic written and verbal communications skills, especially as relates to crafting press releases, compelling pitch letters, clear reports, FAQs, and public statements, as well as representing the institution articulately and knowledgeably on walk-throughs and at events
• A track record of working with and cultivating a roster of journalists, bloggers, podcasters, and others, and a proven history of effective, strategic story placements across print, online, and broadcast media outlets 
• Experience managing and supervising editorial/news photo and film requests
• Collaborative ability and enthusiasm for working cross-functionally within the Communications and adjacent Marketing and Visitor Experience Departments, and the ability to collaborate well with colleagues from teams including but not limited to External Affairs, Curatorial, Library, A/V, and Operations
• Excellent organizational skills and superb attention to detail, with experience upholding consistently high standards of quality and appearance of work and materials
• Self-driven and proactive sense of agency over managing initiatives assigned, taking ownership over multiple projects and requests on an ongoing basis
• Computer fluency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and website CMS
• Familiarity with other software a plus, namely Tripleseat Event Management, and Cision 
• Bachelor’s Degree (English, art history, communications, or related fields preferred) 
• Minimum of 4–6 years of professional experience in communications in the cultural sector (visual arts organizations preferred). 

Physical Requirements

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Physical requirements are comparable to most office roles: the ability to interact in-person with colleagues and use common office tools and machines (computer, phone); and the ability to traverse throughout the offices and building(s) both inside and outside of the museum and visit different levels of the building. Ability to carry/transport materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

Benefits in Employment with the Frick Collection 

Paid Holidays: Full-time employees are eligible for 14 paid holidays, all federal holidays including Juneteenth, and Election Day and four floating holidays: two may be used in the first half of the calendar year, two may be used in the second half of the calendar year. 

Sick and Vacation time: Eligible full-time employees accrue up to 12 sick and 12 vacation days their first year of employment. In subsequent years, eligible full-time employees accrue up to 12 sick days and 25 vacation days/year. 

Paid Family leave: In addition to adhering to all federal family leave laws, we provide all eligible employees with paid bereavement and family leave.

Health, Dental and Vision insurance: all full-time employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in employer sponsored benefits plans. Employees contribute to the cost of health insurance based on income level and type of coverage selected. 

Short and Long Term Disability and Life Insurance: the Frick covers the entire cost of these benefits for all full-time employees. The life insurance benefit is up to three times the employee’s annual salary. 

Retirement: The Frick supports all employees in planning for retirement by offering participation in a Tax Deferred Savings Plan – 403(b) and a defined benefit pension plan. We also offer retiree health benefits for retirees and their eligible dependents. 

Wellness Programs at the Frick include an Employee Assistance Plan, a discount on Citi Bike memberships and a discount on bike helmets. 

Additional benefits include discounted Metro Cards/Transit Checks, flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care and commuting costs.

Employment Status and Compensation

The salary for this full-time exempt role is commensurate with skills and experience with a starting annual salary of $ $75,000-$80,000.

Since all Media and Press staff are relied upon to support museum activities during open and closed hours, including evenings and weekends, work may be scheduled before/after regular business hours and on weekends. The Manager will be relied upon to work to support these activities.

Application Process
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Apply here or send resume and cover letter to:  

Associate Director, Communications

The Frick Collection 

1 East 70th Street

New York, NY 10021

This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment. Benefits subject to change and may differ based on employee status.