Head of Marketing and Communications

About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum-all under one living roof-our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

About the Opportunity

The California Academy of Sciences seeks a visionary Head of Marketing and Communications to lead its dynamic team into the next chapter. For 172 years, the Academy has been a beacon of wonder and discovery-home to the Steinhart Aquarium, world-class planetarium, and a collection of 46 million specimens that stretch back billions of years. Beyond its walls, the Academy is also a pioneering scientific institution, advancing bold research and regenerative action to protect fragile ecosystems across the globe.

As the Head of Marketing and Communications, you will shape how millions engage with science, nature, the future of our planet, and the evolving role of museums in civic life. We're looking for a leader who can amplify the Academy's voice, expand its reach, and inspire people everywhere to see themselves as part of Earth's story.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff currently work on site at least 2-3 times per week, with flexibility as business needs evolve. We know great talent comes from many paths, and we welcome candidates whose backgrounds don't align perfectly with every qualification. If you have the passion, creativity, and drive to lead at scale, we encourage you to apply.in

• POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, the Head of Marketing and Communications (SVP equivalent) is the Academy's chief storyteller and strategic architect of audience engagement. This leader sits among the Academy's Directors (VP equivalents), with a direct line to the Executive leaders and regular presentations to the Board of Trustees on 6-12 month strategy updates.
• The role oversees four direct reports leading brand marketing, digital engagement, communications and content, and marketing operations-together guiding a team of nearly 20. Equally critical, this leader will work side by side with the exhibits, planetarium, and products teams to ensure the Academy delivers on its brand promise.
• This position will suit a strategic leader who thrives in ambiguity, leads through influence rather than authority, and can distill the complexity of science and nature into illuminating human experiences.
• The ideal candidate is part visionary, part architect : a bold thinker who pushes beyond conventional museum marketing while aligning diverse stakeholders around a shared vision. You will grow audiences-local, regional, and global-through modern strategies that both market the Academy and reimagine how cultural institutions capture the public imagination.
• We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy. Explore Our Commitment to Racial Equity to learn about our intentional engagement of traditionally excluded groups in an effort to spark interest in or foster pathways to scientific careers.

Organizational Culture Join a team dedicated to the Academy's mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives - Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 - that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Vision & Leadership

Organizational Influence & Stakeholder Management

Team Development & Operational Excellence

Innovation & Market Leadership

Qualifications : A successful candidate will have the following :

Experience and Education

Leadership and Strategic Thinking

Communication and Influence

Innovation and Adaptability

Physical Environment : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. (Cut and paste from the Job Description adding other requirements relevant to the position's responsibilities.)

Compensation and Benefits : The salary range for this position is $195,000 - $215,000. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications and aligned with the internal peer group. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule : Full-time, 40 hours per week

How to Apply :

Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).