Communications and Community Programs Coordinator - Saugatuck-Douglas History Center

Posted on 4/27/26

Part-time non-exempt position with year-round average of 20 hours per week at $25/hour beginning spring 2026.

Overview

Join our dedicated and creative team of staff and volunteers at the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center, where we work together to foster an appreciation for Lakeshore history, culture, and the arts. This position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a grassroots, community-focused organization with a commitment to excellence in public history, education, and cultural engagement.

The Communications and Community Programs Coordinator plays a vital role in promoting the museum’s mission, programs, and community engagement efforts. This position involves writing and editing a variety of communication materials, creating marketing media, managing content on digital platforms, and supporting the museum's visibility and outreach initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong written and visual communication skills and a passion for museums, arts, humanities, and nonprofit organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Content Creation & Communication
• Write and edit press releases, newsletters, and email campaigns to promote museum programs and events.
• Create compelling written and visual content for the museum's website and social media channels.
• Regularly update and manage content on the museum's WordPress website.
• Graphic Design & Visual Communication
• Design graphics and images to support marketing efforts both in print and online, using tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or other relevant platforms.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to ensure all communications align with the museum's branding and messaging. 
• Social Media & Digital Presence
• Develop and schedule social media posts across SDHC platforms (Facebook, Instagram and YouTube) to engage audiences and promote museum events and programs.
• Monitor social media platforms and interact with followers, responding to inquiries and maintaining engagement with support from staff/volunteers.
• Community Engagement & Event Coordination:
• Coordinate event planning at History Center and off-site with community partners.
• Assist event and programming committees with publicity, ensuring events are well-publicized in both local and online communities.
• Participate in meetings with History Center committees, community partners, and other stakeholders to promote the museum’s presence and mission.
• Collaborative & Strategic Support:
• Participate in strategy meetings to align communication efforts with the museum’s current goals and the Strategic Plan.
• Work closely with museum staff and committee members to understand and communicate the museum's mission, values, and key programs.
• Develop comprehensive understanding of the museum’s mission, values, and current strategic plan, and work to effectively communicate this to the community and key stakeholders.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and demonstrated course experience in writing, visual communications, marketing, journalism, history, fine arts, or related fields.
• Strong written and visual communication skills with experience in crafting press releases, newsletters, and social media content.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, WordPress, and email marketing platforms (Constant Contact).
• Experience with graphic design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite or Canva.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaborate with team members.
• Excellent customer service skills, with a positive and engaging approach to working with the public and diverse group of staff and volunteers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in museums, arts, humanities, or nonprofit organizations, with a passion for community outreach. 
• Experience in digital marketing, social media management, and content creation.
• Knowledge or experience in museum programming, history, and practices.

Additional Requirements

This is a hybrid position with remote and scheduled in-person work on site in Douglas, Michigan. Ability to work flexible hours, including some weekends and evenings, with advanced scheduling for events and programming.

To apply, please send an introductory email, resume, and list of three references to Eric Gollannek, executive director, at director@mysdhistory.org. Please also include a writing sample and a selection of relevant communications/marketing/public relations work.

About the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center

Saugatuck and Douglas are two of Michigan’s most popular Lake Michigan summer tourist destinations and residential centers for people interested in history and the arts. From its origins as a lumbering and shipbuilding community in the 1800s, the area has built a reputation as a “home for all” with a significant LGBTQ+ population. Home to the Ox-Bow School of Art (established 1910) and the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (2001) the area has a rich heritage in the visual and performing arts. The summer features a thriving vacation scene, with popular restaurants, beaches, festivals, and tourist activities. It is a year-round destination in southwest Michigan’s wine country and fruit belt, making it a destination for farm-to-table dining and outdoor recreation.

Since 1986, the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center has provided leadership in history and preservation, helping the community to connect with and understand its past, preserve its quality of life, and respect the area’s history to shape its future. The SDHC and its members work together to preserve local history and inspire learning now and for future generations. The SDHC maintains two sites including the History Museum located in the historic water pump house building (1906) along the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck and the History Center in Downtown Douglas, located in the Douglas Union School (1866). Learn more about the SDHC at www.mysdhistory.org.