DESCRIPTION
The Hippodrome Theatre in Gainesville, FL has an excellent opportunity for a Director of Communications. If you are skilled in project management, producing publications, and creating/generating digital communications and would enjoy working with others in an exciting performing arts organization, this is the job for you!
We are looking for a candidate who demonstrates outstanding skills that meet or exceed the requirements in this job posting, with excellent technical abilities and attention to detail; and who is an enthusiastic and articulate team player.
This is a full-time, salaried position and includes a comprehensive benefits package and will be ideal for someone with project management skills and a passion for the performing arts who would like to build skills in managing print and digital communications, working with media/vendors, and marketing/sales.
About the Hippodrome
The Hippodrome was founded in 1972 by six artists (Bruce Cornwell, Gregory Hausch, Mary Hausch, Kerry (McKinney) Oliver-Smith, Marilyn Wall and Orin Wechsberg) with the goal of presenting the best in challenging, contemporary theatre.
The Hippodrome has become a major cultural resource to the community and the State of Florida, staging mainstage productions for more than 60,000 people annually.
The Hippodrome’s history and vitality are built on its artistic achievement. The theatre has produced more than one hundred world, American and Southeastern premieres in its history. Acclaimed playwrights such as Tennessee Williams, Eric Bentley, Paula Vogel, Lee Breuer, Adrian Mitchell and Mario Vargas Llosa have developed new works on the Hippodrome stage.
In addition to its mainstage season, the Hippodrome screens first-run foreign, limited-release and avant-garde films. The Hippodrome Cinema Series has 1,000 members, 20,000 patrons and more than 700 screenings per year. The Hippodrome also houses an art gallery which is available, by invitation, to Florida artists at no charge.
Position Summary
The Director of Communications performs project management to facilitate the production of print and digital publications for the Hippodrome Theatre and Hippodrome Cinema in addition to communications for the entire organization. This position also manages the building and communication campaigns for the Hipp’s educational and development and fundraising programs.
Essential functions include:
Organize, plan, and coordinate activities, including follow-through with stakeholders engaged in preparing material for print or electronic publications, including but not limited to producing show programs and emails. Working with stakeholders includes writers (in-house and freelancers), editors, in-house designers, external show program designer, printers, and delivery.
Collaborate with all department leads to build marketing, sales, stewardship, and communications emails.
Coordinate with the Education Department to be the point person for the marketing and communications surrounding education events, classes, and programs including but not limited to Summer Spectacular. Included planning, scheduling, and implementation of marketing and communications surrounding these events, especially emails and direct mail.
Coordinate trafficking of media assets to outside vendors including promotional assets, television/radio ads, digital advertisements, print advertisements, etc.
Collaborate with other Marketing Department staff on projects, special events, and related activities.
Develop strategies and tactics to boost the Hippodrome’s reputation and build audiences with diversity and inclusivity in mind
Develop and deploy strategies, marketing campaigns, and tactics from ideation to execution to get the word out about the various revenue streams of the Hippodrome and build audiences to support the long-term future of the Hippodrome.
Analyze market trends and customer preferences to develop sales plans and forecasts including setting sales targets, determining pricing strategies, and identifying opportunities for growth.
Develop and manage marketing and sales budgets, by allocating resources effectively, monitoring expenses, and evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of marketing campaigns and sales initiatives.
Experiment and evaluate a variety of organic and paid acquisition channels like content creation, content curation, pay-per-click campaigns, event management, publicity, social media, lead generation campaigns, performance analysis
Produce valuable and engaging content for our website and blog that attracts and converts our target groups
Build strategic relationships and partner with key industry players, agencies, and vendors
Prepare and monitor the marketing budget and allocate funds wisely
Measure and report on the performance of marketing efforts/campaigns in regards to the success of Hippodrome’s revenue streams, gain insight and assess against goals
Analyze consumer behavior and adjust email and advertising campaigns accordingly
Set pricing strategies and outreach to grow subscriptions and group sales
Ensure appropriate staffing of box office and integrate front-line customer feedback into future marketing plans
Lead and manage the marketing team and box office professionals. This includes hiring and training staff, assigning tasks, setting goals and objectives.
Required Qualifications/Competencies
3-5 years of related marketing or transferrable work experience
Demonstrated successful project management experience, at least two to three years of experience desired.
The ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders whose work is necessary to complete the production of print and digital communications on deadlines.
Detail-oriented, highly organized, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple schedules and changing deadlines and priorities among multiple parties with competing priorities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
Excellent writing and proofreading skills. Familiarity with AP Style Guide and Chicago Manual of Style a plus.
Expertise in Microsoft Office suite (particularly Word, Excel, Outlook.)
Experience with InDesign, Constant Contact (or other online email software) strongly desired.
Must be able to set priorities, coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, and successfully meet firm deadlines.
Ability to establish working relationships and interact effectively with a wide range of people internally and externally
Exemplary diplomacy, problem-solving and teamwork skills
Ability to take initiative, manage time, stay organized and work independently as well as collaboratively.
Positive, articulate, outgoing, and friendly team-player personality; a sense of humor a plus!
Able to work in an upbeat and often fast-paced environment.
Must be able to work with a wide variety of people including admin staff, production staff, and traveling artists.
Demonstrated abilities in “people skills,” including building trust and rapport in relationships with diverse individuals, and demonstrating listening skills, poise, tact, and good judgment.
Passion for the performing arts, flexibility, and ability to remain calm under pressure.
This position requires attendance at occasional evening events, including attending designated Hippodrome shows and activities.
Bachelor's or Master’s degree in marketing or a related field
Non-Profit organization experience preferred
Demonstrable experience in marketing together with the potential and attitude required to learn
Proven experience in identifying target audiences and in creatively devising and leading across-channels marketing campaigns that engage, educate and motivate
Experience in website design and maintenance
Experience working with Theatre Manager ticketing software
Compensation & Benefits:
The full-time annual salary range will be $46-50K
The Hippodrome offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes 75% Employer covered Medical insurance,with optional Dental & Vision packages, Sick, Personal & Vacation time, Complimentary Tickets, and Company Paid Holidays. 401K retirement plan after eligibility requirements are met.
Reports To: This position reports to the Managing Director
DURATION
May 6, 2024 -
SALARY
$45,999.99 – $49,999.99
per year
