Does This Sound Like You?
Are you intrigued and moved by the power of music and the arts? Does being in close proximity to the artistic process drive your curiosity for constant learning and being part of enriching experiences? If you’re ready to bring these qualities to the forefront of your next professional role, then this opportunity is for you! If you’re a savvy and meticulous communications leader with a passion for collaborative process in the performing arts, come join like-minded individuals as the Senior Director of Communications with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO).
Who is the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra?
Known for its artistic excellence for more than 120 years, today the PSO is the region’s national and international cultural ambassador. A two-time 2018 GRAMMY® Award-winning orchestral ensemble credited with a rich history of concerts, performances, and recordings with the world’s finest conductors and musicians. The PSO consistently is demonstrating a genuine commitment to Pittsburgh’s citizens, regional communities, and vibrant cultural scenes.
Job Purpose:
The Senior Director of Communications is responsible for developing and implementing an array of communications and public relations strategies for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, directly managing communications activities that promote, enhance, and elevate the organization’s brand and products on a regional, domestic and international level. This position is responsible for the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of the organization, its leadership and its programming. As an ambassador for the organization, the Senior Director of Communications will advance the organization’s position universally. This position creates and tells the story of the PSO through a multitude of traditional and emerging channels.
Creating the Story
Senior Leadership
Collaborate with PSO departments to develop and implement a holistic, strategic institutional communications plan to advance the PSO’s brand identity aligned with its strategic plan; broaden awareness of its priorities, mission, and vision; and increase the visibility of its programs locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Partner with the Marketing team to implement institutional messages through all marketing channels, digital, and traditional.
Working in close coordination with the marketing team to design and implement integrated strategies to increase awareness of the PSO’s concerts, programs, and initiatives, and enhance brand awareness.
Act as principal interdepartmental liaison to facilitate institutional communication flow and ensure message alignment and brand consistency.
Serve as a senior spokesperson and lead point person on media interactions and crisis communications strategy mitigation.
Embody discerning and prudent judgment as a leader, mentor, and colleague.
Telling the Story
Media and Community Engagement
Develop media and community partnerships that enhance and grow public awareness of the PSO’s mission and activities.
Oversee the development and implementation of Social Media strategies, grounded in organic content creation.
Collaborate with cross-departmental teams to ensure that institutional messaging is deployed throughout.
Social Media strategies oversight, grounded in organic content creation and cross collaboration with marketing for content marketing efforts.
Supervise the coordination of all guest artist, musician, and Music Director interviews for live radio broadcasts, pre-concert videos, promotional videos, and miscellaneous projects.
Proactively engage, cultivate, and manage press relationships to ensure coverage surrounding the PSO’s core products, community projects, special events, and public announcements.
Facilitate and oversee media interest in the PSO’s concerts, events, and programs, and ensure regular contact with target media and appropriate response style in a timely fashion.
Oversee all interviews and public appearances for Music Director, Musicians, Senior Leadership, Board Chair, and guest artists; coach and provide talking points/key materials.
Materials Development
Oversee the strategy, writing and distribution of all organizational press releases and public statements for core PSO products, community news, foundation and individual giving, financial updates, collective bargaining updates, and institutional news.
Serve as senior editor and publisher of PSO Program Books, including developing and implementing strategies for Program Books to align with audience engagement goals.
Oversee the development of and collaborate on video and visual-based storytelling to amplify the PSO brand and programming.
Collaborate internally to develop season themes and messages that amplify key programming and link back to the larger institutional communications plan.
Lead and manage the PSO Season Announcement event(s) and internal communications rollout of season announcements and programming updates.
Touring, Team Mentoring, Budget, Archives
Work closely with international consultants to ensure optimal media coverage surrounding the Music Director and the PSO’s tours.
Manage and mentor the Communications Associate and Social Media Specialist to ensure they are successful contributors and collaborators within the Marketing & Communications Department and overall organization.
Develop, manage and provide forecast updates to the communications budget.
Oversee the PSO Archives, including budget management and supervising staff- and/or project- archivists.
Necessary Skills, Experience and Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required; Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field preferred, and/or ten years’ communications or public relations experience. Master’s degree is a plus.
Demonstrated experience and leadership in developing, directing and managing comprehensive, integrated, strategic communications plans and programs, including public relations that advance an organization’s mission and goals.
Background, personal experience, or passionate interest working in the Performing Arts, and/or knowledge of the Performing Arts, Entertainment Industries, or General Arts & Culture Fields.
Excellent editorial, written, and verbal capabilities, including clear, concise and creative writing skills and ability to line edit with a critical eye for detail.
Proficient in MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Social Media Platforms and Features.
Highly independent and self-motivated and able to prioritize multiple projects with a high level of energy.
Compensation and Location:
This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary range between $80,000 – $100,000 depending upon experience. We also offer a comprehensive benefit package which includes paid holidays, paid time off, health benefits, as well as retirement savings options. Heinz Hall in downtown Pittsburgh is the work location for this position. Success in this position requires local presence and relationship building. The PSO supports a flexible, hybrid work environment, which currently includes three days per week in-person work, including occasional work on weekends and evenings during PSO and Heinz Hall concerts or events.
Pittsburgh Symphony, Inc. (PSI) provides equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other class or category protected by local, state, or federal law.
The specific statements shown in each section of the description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully.
The PSI recognizes that an individual with a disability may require a job modification/ accommodation to enable them to successfully perform a job function. Consideration will be given to such requests. Such requests should be directed to Human Resources.