Director of Communications, Content, and Digital Strategies - San Diego Symphony Orchestra

General Summary:

The Director of Communications, Content, and Digital Strategies will work with departments and individuals throughout the institution to develop strategy, content, and materials for the San Diego Symphony and its two world-class venues, the indoor Jacobs Music Center and the outdoor, waterfront venue The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, that drive brand awareness, visibility, and engagement. The Director will be an invaluable partner in guiding campaigns, projects, and initiatives, and developing the distinct brand and voice of the San Diego Symphony.

The Director of Communications, Content and Digital Strategies also oversees a team of two, consisting of the Symphony’s Digital Media Specialist and Communications Manager.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

Media Relations

• Plan and implement long-term and day-to-day media strategies.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with local, regional, national, and international journalists and critics.
• Assist in the planning and development of launch campaigns for indoor and outdoor seasons, concerts, events, and projects.
• Develop and implement stories for San Diego Symphony musicians and leadership, including our Music Director, President and CEO, and others.

Content and Brand Development

• Create content strategies and develop materials that promote brand awareness and engagement.
• Work with Artistic, Institutional Advancement, musicians, and other stakeholders to create and oversee an institutional content calendar.
• Develop copy and materials to promote concerts, events, and announcements.
• Assist in the development of sales strategy for series and events.
• Create, guide, and distribute media assets (videos, audio, streams).

Digital Media Strategies and Structure

Social media

• Develop and execute strategy for using social media to effectively communicate about San Diego Symphony’s initiatives.
• Increase size of San Diego Symphony’s social media communities.

Digital content channels, setup, and distribution

• Work with Artistic, Institutional Advancement, musicians, and others to establish and execute best practices for the handling, processing, and distribution of audio and video content.

Engagement

• Design and oversee plan to increase engagement on San Diego Symphony’s digital channels.

Sales

• Inform and execute digital sales strategies, budgets, and campaigns resulting in increased paid audiences for in-person and streamed events.

Communications Strategy

• Interact with the President Management Team and other stakeholders to develop the voice and communications style of the organization, playing  an important role in how the Symphony is perceived externally.
• Develop internal and external communications that drive the Symphony’s global reputation, in alignment with organizational goals, mission, and values.
• Assist in developing and managing corporate communications strategy and annual communication plans.
• Develop and execute strategies to increase the Symphony’s visibility and enhance its external reputation among key audiences.
• Identify and evaluate speaking opportunities and engagements.
• Assist in the development and execution of communications collateral, including media releases, advisories, talking points, presentations, etc.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the communications field (for-profit or non-profit).
• Advanced level of experience/knowledge of Digital Marketing platforms.
• Experience with Facebook/Instagram Ads, and Google Ads, Google Analytics, funnel optimization, email marketing and automation required.
• A background in classical music, as well as working in an orchestral environment.
• Demonstrated experience crafting and executing successful traditional media, social media, and internal communications strategies.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to articulate information in a clear and concise manner, writing at different levels with the ability to simplify complex ideas for a broad audience.
• Effective collaboration across multiple business functions and comfort working with a broad range of people, from media and reporters to senior management and executives.
• Ability to maintain composure and situational awareness in a fast-paced, highly dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to translate a complex digital strategy into a clear set of executional tactics.
• Responsiveness and balance while managing multiple deliverables and deadlines.
• Proven collaborator with a strong ability to work effectively across functions and levels.
• Ability to interface successfully with senior executives and peers.
• Proactive, self-starter; able to work independently and in team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to think quickly and responsively, manage well under pressure.
• Ability to recommend creative solutions to deliver key messages that will educate and influence target audiences.

General Requirements:

• Available to work nights and weekends as required for concert and rehearsal coverage.
• Able to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Able to pick up and move a minimum of 20 lbs.

Working Conditions:

• Normal office working conditions: sitting at a desk and computer terminal for long periods of time, typing and computer work, light to moderate lifting.
• Normal backstage working conditions: standing for long periods of time, light to moderate lifting, noisy atmosphere.

Benefits

Pay Range:

$95,000.00-$110,000.00 annually

 Benefits:

Health, dental, and vision insurance; life, AD&D, and long-and short-term disability insurance; FSA; paid sick days, vacation days and holidays; 401(k) plan.

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The San Diego Symphony provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

We are committed to being a workplace in which every employee has equitable opportunities and support, and experiences a sense of belonging. Individuals with diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences are encouraged to apply.