The Communications Director is responsible for the cultivation and development of audiences and education program participants for Seattle Shakespeare Company. The Communications Director plans and implements all marketing efforts for subscriptions and single tickets for indoor, outdoor and touring productions; works with the Education Director to promote Seattle Shakespeare’s education programs; oversees media relations and placement of advertising; manages all social media efforts; and develops seasonal and long-term plans to promote and enhance the image, brand, and visibility of Seattle Shakespeare Company and its programs in the Pacific Northwest. The Communications Director must be a creative, passionate, and skillful advocate for Seattle Shakespeare Company.
To Apply: email cover letter, resume and 3 references
Seattle Shakespeare Company is the Puget Sound region’s year-round, professional, classical theatre. The company’s growing success stems from a deep belief in the power and vibrancy of the time-tested words and ideas of Shakespeare and other classical playwrights along with a commitment to artistic excellence on stage. The results have been provocative performances that both challenge and delight audiences while fostering an appreciation for great stage works.
Our combined programs — which include indoor performances, free outdoor productions, regional tours, educator and youth programs — reach across barriers of income, geography, and education to bring classical theatre to Washington State.
5 years experience in marketing and/or public relations, preferably in non-profit arts. Strong writing, organization and communications skills are required. Computer-literacy is a must (Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and Adobe CS4 in a PC environment are in place). Creativity, imagination, flexibility and dedication are necessary attributes. The candidate must be a team player with a sense of humor and a passion for challenge.
Essential Functions:
• Draft and implement the short- and long-term marketing and promotion plans of Seattle Shakespeare Company, building the sales and branding functions of the organization.
• Develop and manage the budget to implement all marketing and promotion.
• Evaluate marketing data and trends.);
• Mobile app maintenance and content development;
• Support volunteer recruitment, coordinating with volunteer manager;
• Be alert to new opportunities in the fast and shifting environment of social media marketing.
• Provide regular reports of progress and plans to the Managing Director and Board of Directors.
• Maintain close communications with other members of the Marketing Team (Graphics, Box Office Manager, and Lead Front of House Manager).
• Participate with Managing Director and the Marketing Team in setting audience-related policy and strategy for ticket pricing, special offers, incentives, etc.
• Work with Education Department members to strengthen marketing of education programs to schools and individuals.
• Coordinate graphic design decisions and production of season brochure, direct mail, and posters with Graphics Manager.
• Maintain and monitor Seattle Shakespeare’s social media presence through FaceBook, Twitter, and other venues.
• Keep up subscriptions with various software/digital marketing services and tools, including but not limited to Mail Chimp, Dreamhost, Adobe.
• Establish and maintain ongoing press/media relations:
o Produce basic press releases announcing season, each production, and other Seattle Shakespeare Company programs
o Produce press kits and photos for each show
o Strategize and pitch press angles, feature stories, and interviews
• Work with all areas of the company to generate publicity concerning non-show stories
• Plan and manage the annual subscription campaign through all its phases, including direct mail and potentially a telemarketing program.
• Develop cross-promotion opportunities with other organizations and businesses.
• Plan and manage a show-by-show single-ticket promotion program.
• Place advertising with local media.
• Schedule mail list trades with other organizations.
• Carry out periodic audience surveys.
• Provide copy and supervise production for publications, including playbills, e-news, postcards, etc.
• Maintain up-to-date media and PR information in Seattle Shakespeare Company database.
• Serve as marketing liaison with Seattle Center and other organizations to increase promotional opportunities and better joint relations.
• Work with Lead Front of House Manager on display areas of the lobby to provide signage, support individual productions, and promote upcoming shows and programs.
