Marketing Communication Manager at ART X

ART X is a pioneering cultural organisation that creates platforms and experiences to celebrate and amplify Africa's culture. Founded in 2012 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, our flagship platforms include: ART X Lagos — the leading international art fair in West Africa; ART X Live! — a unique fusion of live music and art; and the Access ART X Prize — an annual award championing emerging artists across Africa and its Diaspora.

We aim to harness the power of culture to unlock the potential of Nigeria and Africa, and we collaborate closely with exceptional creatives and cultural entrepreneurs who share our passion for cultivating energised, dynamic identities for Africa and its people.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Marketing Communication Manager

Location: Lagos

About the Role

• We are seeking a seasoned Marketing Communications Manager with a minimum of 8 years of experience to join our dynamic team. 
• The Marketing Communications Manager at ART X will be responsible for crafting compelling narratives about ART X Lagos and its affiliate platforms, and propelling the diverse community of creatives we support. 
• This role will involve engaging vast audiences, both locally and internationally, and will build a lasting legacy that contributes to the growth and success of African talent, at regional and global levels. 
• Additionally, you will be accountable for aligning the communications strategies with broader marketing objectives, ensuring consistent brand messaging and driving measurable marketing outcomes across all channels.
• Operating across diverse media channels, the Marketing Communications Manager will lead high-impact 360-degree marketing and communications campaigns aimed at solidifying ART X Lagos and its affiliate platforms as global leaders dedicated to showcasing the best of African creativity. 
• You will work closely with the Marketing team to integrate data-driven marketing insights into creative campaigns that resonate with our audiences.
• As a natural creative, the ideal candidate will possess expertise in innovative storytelling while being highly efficient in managing the development and execution of the marketing and communications strategy, and building brand equity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute end-to-end marketing and communications strategies that further ART X’s mission, objectives and ambition from strategic inception to creative execution. 
• Conceptualize and implement innovative, international 360-campaigns that push boundaries and capture the imagination of global audiences across digital and social media, PR, advertising, media relations, content, visual design, and more, ensuring exceptional delivery whilst expanding brand equity for ART X Lagos, and its affiliate platforms, as catalysts showcasing the best of the world to Lagos, and the best of Nigeria and Africa to the world.
• Serve as the vigilant guardian of the ART X brand, meticulously ensuring that every expression of its identity, whether internal or external, remains steadfastly aligned with the overarching vision and values. 
• Curate, manage and optimise narrative and brand-owned assets across various channels, including but not limited to websites, social media, videos/short films, email newsletter campaigns, catalogues, publications, editorial articles, visuals, and graphic assets.
• Partner with sponsors, galleries, artists and other stakeholders, to strategise marketing approaches that capitalise on the full spectrum of opportunities surrounding ART X Lagos events and initiatives.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration to ensure that communication strategies are leveraged to strengthen product development and enhance the overall audience experience; actively participate in sponsorship, fundraising, and commercial initiatives to help achieve ART X’s  strategic and financial goals .
• Cultivate and nurture relationships with local and international media, proactively expanding media partnerships and coverage, through effective adept negotiation and seamless execution. 
• Develop and execute tailored communications strategies and initiatives for the company’s Founder and principal spokesperson, enhancing ART X’s visibility and reputation in the cultural landscape through curated messaging, coordinated appearances, interviews, and strategic stakeholder engagement. 
• Establish and maintain SOPs for the communications team and management of the brand communication assets to streamline processes, maximise efficiency, and maintain alignment. 
• Directly manage and mentor direct reports within the communications team, setting clear performance objectives, providing regular feedback, conducting performance evaluations, and facilitating professional development to ensure a high-performing, agile team.
• Manage budgets, timelines, resources and personnel effectively to ensure the timely, successful delivery of all communication projects; provide leadership and guidance to the marketing team-comprising internal colleagues and multiple external vendors-  while fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence. 
• Monitor and analyse market trends, audience insights, and campaign metrics to optimise communication strategies, and drive continuous improvement through periodic evaluations and reports.
• Other tasks as assigned by the Marketing & Partnerships Lead and CEO.

About You

• The ideal candidate is creative, entrepreneurial, efficient and organised, possessing exceptional communication skills while bringing innovation and enthusiasm to the role. 
• The ability to multitask, work calmly under pressure, and be a strong team player is essential. 

Other key requirements include:

• 8+ years of experience in Marketing, Brand Communications or PR, preferably within the art, culture and creative sectors; experience with international brands and audiences in Nigeria/Africa is preferred.
• A strong cultural alignment with ART X’s values of excellence, ownership, kindness, integrity - consistently going the extra mile as a catalyst for change.
• A proven track record of developing and executing successful communication strategies and campaigns across various media channels (including digital, video and print), that generate excitement, drive engagement and build brand equity.
• Versatile, with broad-ranging audience appeal, capable of engaging diverse audiences from ultra high-net-worth individuals to Gen-Z.
• A thorough understanding of the visual arts and culture industry, with a keen awareness of relevant trends.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; an excellent communicator at all levels, able to write and present information in a compelling and dynamic manner.
• Exceptional organisation skills with proven project management and administration capabilities, adept at multitasking and meeting tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills - a team builder and collaborator with a confident, friendly approach, engaging a diverse range of individuals and organisations.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, inspiring colleagues to achieve high performance while fostering a culture of creativity and accountability.
• Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills, coupled with a blend of creative and strategic thinking.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, remaining adaptable to changing priorities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office / Google Docs.

Role Specification:

• This role is full-time and hybrid, with the possibility of remote work.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Resume and Cover Letter, as well as a written statement sharing their motivation and career aspirations, to: careers@artxlagos.com using “Marketing Communications Manager” as the subject of the email. 

Note: Only qualified candidates will be contacted.