Job Description

Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Guest Experience - Seattle Aquarium

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Base pay range

$170,000.00/yr - $180,000.00/yr

Benefits:

Position Overview

The Seattle Aquarium is a nonprofit conservation organization working to regenerate the health of Earths one ocean. Our mission is Inspiring Conservation of our Marine Environment. The Seattle Aquarium is a mission-driven nonprofit committed to marine conservation, education, and community connectionlocally and globally. Anchored in the heart of Seattles reimagined waterfront and reaching audiences around the world, we offer an immersive guest experience that bridges ocean advocacy with public engagement.

We are seeking an innovative and collaborative Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Guest Experience to lead our brand strategy, deepen community connections, and steward a compelling, awe-inspiring guest experience that reflects our commitment to environmental sustainability, inclusion, and public impact.

The Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Guest Experience reports to the President and CEO and is a member of the Aquariums executive team. This position also co-staffs two different Board of Directors committees, the Public Partnerships Committee and the Board Advancement Committee, to engage the board in marketing and fundraising efforts in support of our mission.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the voice, visibility, and in-person experience of one of the Pacific Northwests most treasured institutions, and to directly impact ocean conservation through storytelling, innovation and leadership.

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is: $170,000- $180,000 based on experience.

Benefits:

Key functions

The Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Guest Experience has a strong guest-centric focus, developing and deploying a variety of strategies to integrate all Aquarium audiences and drive earned and contributed revenue. This includes visitation and exposure to the Aquarium itself, as well as its website, blog and social media presences. The role is responsible for developing, executing and evaluating strategic marketing, advertising, public relations, communications and guest experience programs and campaigns to promote visitation and awareness, and to communicate the Aquariums key messages to target audiences, while managing resources to produce results consistent with Aquarium plans, goals and mission.

This role collaborates across the organization to ensure consistent messaging, branding and guest experiences for all areas of the institution.

How you will spend your time

Communication, Marketing & Engagement

• Lead the creation and execution of strategic, multi-channel marketing campaigns to increase visibility, engagement, and revenue across regional, national, and international audiences.
• Collaborate with Finance, Membership and the Conservation, Engagement, & Learning teams to set visitation, admission pricing, and per-cap targets, hit earned-revenue goals and execute audience driving strategies.
• Guide the evolution of the organizations brand identity in alignment with our conservation mission and sustainable values.
• Expand digital reach through innovative content, SEO/SEM strategies, and targeted messaging to grow both online and onsite audiences.
• Develop and implement marketing partnerships that help strengthen the brand while generating revenue.

Communications & Public Relations

• Serve as lead communications strategist and brand steward, ensuring clear, compelling messaging and storytelling across platformsfrom media and web to social and print.
• Build and nurture relationships with local, national, and international media to elevate organizational initiatives and conservation impact.
• Lead internal communications that connect staff and stakeholders to mission, impact, and strategic priorities.
• Oversee crisis communications for external and internal audiences.

Guest Experience & Waterfront Connection

• Develop and implement strategy for an awe-inspiring and impactful guest experience for all audiences. Oversee front-of-house operations across multiple facilities, including the newly expanded Ocean Pavilion campus along Seattles revitalized waterfront.
• Champion guest service excellence with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability in every touchpoint.
• Implement systems and training to continually improve guest satisfaction, flow, and engagement, while upholding sustainable operating standards.

Events & Commercial Operations

• Oversee strategy and performance for a diverse events portfoliodaytime audience-building activations, community programs, fundraising galas, conferences, and private rentalsaligning each with outcome targets.
• Oversee revenue-generating commercial partnerships, including retail, caf/catering, private rental events and other concessions.

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Impact

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of professionals in marketing, communications, guest services, events, and commercial operations, including the direct supervision of 4 senior leaders.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Development, Conservation, Education, and Operations to support integrated campaigns and guest-centric program design.
• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, participating in the shaping of long-term strategy and organizational innovation.

Sustainability & Social Responsibility

• Align marketing and guest experience initiatives with the organizations commitment to climate action, sustainability, and community equity.
• Embed sustainability and equity practices in all aspects of marketing, events, and operationsfrom vendor selection to digital infrastructure to onsite experiences.
• Reflect and represent the aquariums SALISH values in all aspects of the messaging and the experience.

What you will bring

• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership in marketing, communications, brand strategy, and/or guest experiencepreferably in nonprofit, conservation, or public-facing cultural organizations.
• Experience building and stewarding a compelling brand aligned with organizational mission and values.
• Proven track record in managing integrated marketing programs across digital, social, and traditional media, with measurable outcomes.
• Strong creative direction skills; demonstrated ability to oversee writers, designers, and contractors across campaigns, publications, and media.
• Prior responsibility for retail-style marketing, brand presentation, and sales or revenue-driving initiatives.
• Executive or senior leadership experience, including cross-functional collaboration and strategic planning.
• Demonstrated success in leading diverse teams toward shared outcomes; skilled in fostering inclusive, mission-driven workplace culture.
• Deep understanding of and commitment to environmental sustainability, marine conservation, or climate-focused missions.
• Excellent communicator with strong storytelling, data-informed decision-making, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in fundraising campaign marketing and nonprofit donor engagement is strongly preferred.

Whats in it for you

Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquariums comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, an employer-funded health reimbursement account, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b retirement fund with employer match, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off.

Please review full-length job description with external application link.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Marketing and Public Relations

Industries

• Non-profit Organizations
• Marketing Services
• Public Relations and Communications Services

Job Tags

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