Communications & Marketing Manager

Penland School of Craft is an international center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 16 teaching studios and 60 historic and contemporary buildings. We are an equal‑opportunity employer with a staff of 50+. Penland operates with a $54 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $8.4 million.

We are located about an hour northeast of Asheville, NC.

At Penland School of Craft, we believe that fostering a climate of equity, inclusion, diversity, and antiracism are essential to our work. We are committed to creating a campus community free of discrimination, and we welcome everyone who supports this commitment.

Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and other people who identify as people of color or BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply, as are people holding other marginalized identities related to gender, sexual orientation, ability, and class background.

Deputy & Creative Director, and the Chief Advancement Officer

Communications

Full‑time, exempt

Digital Media Editor

Exempt

December 18, 2025

Penland School of Craft is a place where creativity is lived, not just learned—where artists, students, instructors, and staff come together in a spirited community rooted in craft, curiosity, and connection. Our campus is a lively ecosystem of ideas, traditions, and hands‑on discovery, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Every day here is shaped by collaboration, experimentation, and the belief that craft can change people and communities.

The Communications & Marketing Manager serves as Penland’s storyteller‑in‑chief—capturing the rhythm of our studios, the brilliance of our instructors, the excitement of our workshops, and the warmth of our community. This role translates the magic of Penland into messages and visuals that resonate with audiences near and far.

As we approach our 100th anniversary, this position offers a rare opportunity to help shape how Penland honors its past and imagines its future. This will be a key role as we celebrate a century of craft education and expand how we communicate our mission, values, and impact for the next hundred years.

We’re seeking a highly skilled, well‑organized communicator who feels energized by Penland’s story and who sees our campus and programs not just as content, but as inspiration; someone who can bring the texture of our craft traditions into writing, visuals, and strategy—and share them meaningfully with students, staff, donors, partners, the media, and our growing network of supporters.

Success in this position means Penland’s voice is clear and strong, our opportunities are widely known, and our reputation continues to grow regionally, nationally, and internationally within the craft world.

This position is co‑managed by the deputy & creative director and the chief advancement officer and works closely with the deputy & director of operations and the executive director. It manages the digital media editor and contractors. This exempt, full‑time, year‑round, benefits‑eligible position sits on the executive team and plays a pivotal role in shaping Penland’s public identity.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field, plus five years of professional experience in public relations or marketing.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong editing and storytelling abilities—especially the ability to draw out emotion, context, and meaning.
• Strong planning, administrative, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to deal sensitively and confidentially with works in progress and institutional knowledge.
• Experience with managing a small team or navigating contractors.
• Fluency in computer, design, editorial, social media, and marketing platforms; experience with website content management systems and graphic design software is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a creative community while remaining self‑directed when needed.
• Abili…