L’American Academy in Rome è il più antico centro estero per la ricerca e lo studio delle arti e delle discipline umanistiche. Ogni anno, l’Academy assegna il Premio di Roma a un gruppo selezionato di artisti e studiosi che sono invitati a vivere e lavorare in una comunità internazionale dinamica nel cuore di Roma. Per supportare il lavoro di questi Fellows, l’Accademia ospita anche programmi a Roma, New York e negli Stati Uniti.

AAR è un datore di lavoro per le pari opportunità.

Position Summary

The American Academy in Rome (AAR), a leading center for independent study and advanced research in the arts and humanities, seeks an accomplished Director of Communications to lead its global communications strategy and elevate the Academy's profile across Italy, Europe, and the United States.

Based in Rome and reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Director of Communications serves as AAR's principal communications executive, responsible for stewarding the institution's voice, shaping its public presence, strengthening engagement with diverse audiences, and fostering effective communication across the Academy. The Director will collaborate closely with colleagues in Rome and New York—and with U.S.- based communications partners—to ensure cohesive messaging and strong amplification of AAR's stories across Italy, Europe, and the United States, particularly among donor and alumni communities.

This role requires a strategic thinker and exceptional communicator who combines editorial excellence with a sophisticated understanding of Italy's cultural landscape, fluency in English, and the ability to operate in a bicultural environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Communications & Institutional Positioning

• Develop and execute an integrated, multi-year communications strategy that advances AAR's mission, enhances institutional visibility, and supports long-term goals across scholarship, the arts, and public engagement.
• Shape core messaging that effectively represents AAR to external audiences, including cultural partners, funders, alumni, policy stakeholders, and the general public.
• Provide strategic counsel to the President & CEO and serve as a key thought partner across major institutional initiatives.

2. Content Development & Brand Stewardship

• Oversee the creation of high-quality written and visual content that articulates AAR's impact, elevates the work of fellows and residents, and communicates the vibrancy of life on the Rome campus.
• Ensure consistency of brand voice, design standards, and institutional messaging across all platforms and materials.
• Lead editorial planning and maintain a clear, compelling institutional narrative throughout the year.

3. Media Relations & Public Visibility

• Build and sustain strong relationships with Italian and international journalists, editors, cultural media, and thought leaders.
• Oversee and direct the work of AAR's U.S.-based public relations agency, ensuring that core messages shaped in Rome are effectively amplified throughout the United States across cultural, philanthropic, and academic media.
• Proactively generate earned media opportunities—including features, interviews, op-eds, and coverage of programs and events—that increase AAR's visibility in Italy and abroad.
• Ensure that U.S. amplification efforts support outreach to current and prospective donors, trustees, and alumni, aligning media strategy with institutional advancement goals.
• Prepare press releases, media kits, statements, executive remarks, and crisis-response communications as needed.
• Support executive visibility by developing communications opportunities and briefing leadership for public appearances, interviews, and institutional engagements.

4. Public Programming & Event Communications

• Develop and implement communications plans for concerts, lectures, exhibitions, open studios, and all other public-facing programs in Rome.
• Strengthen audience development strategies within Rome's cultural ecosystem, ensuring that programming reaches diverse and appropriate publics.
• Coordinate communications around institutional events and visits involving trustees, donors, partners, and diplomatic or cultural institutions.

5. Digital Communications & Engagement

• Direct strategy for AAR's website, social media channels, and institutional newsletters, ensuring a coherent online presence and consistent flow of engaging content.
• Coordinate with U.S. communications partners to ensure messaging consistency across digital channels particularly when content is repurposed or amplified for U.S. audiences.
• Collaborate with digital staff and external partners to optimize digital storytelling, audience growth, and platform performance.
• Use analytics to measure effectiveness, refine content strategy, and inform decision-making.

6. Internal Communications

• Establish strong internal communication frameworks—regular updates, messaging guidance, editorial calendars, and information-sharing systems—that support clarity and alignment across Rome and New York.
• Prepare internal briefings, institutional updates, and key messages for major initiatives, ensuring staff have timely and accurate information.
• Promote a culture of transparent, proactive communication throughout the institution.

7. Issues Management & Crisis Communications

• Serve as the primary lead for communications during sensitive or time-critical situations, coordinating messaging with leadership in Rome and New York, as well as with U.S.-based PR partners when American media or donor audiences are implicated.
• Anticipate reputational risks and develop protocols that align with best practices in both Italian and U.S. media environments.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively senior experience in communications, media relations, or public affairs, ideally within cultural, academic, or nonprofit institutions.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing integrated communications strategies across multiple geographies.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills in both English and Italian; ability to craft clear, compelling messages for varied audiences.
• Proven ability to cultivate relationships with journalists and generate high-quality media coverage.
• Experience overseeing digital communications, including web and social platforms, content planning, and analytics.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and leadership presence, with a collaborative and diplomatic approach suited to complex institutional environments.
• Deep interest in the arts, humanities, and cross-disciplinary inquiry; familiarity with AAR's mission and history is a significant plus.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.