Communications Manager

Position Summary:

The Communications Manager oversees our organic communication initiatives and public relations activities that lead to audience growth and engagement. This position secures maximum coverage for the organization through press coverage, social media, and developing relationships with internal and external partners. The Communications Manager plays a crucial role in collaborating with all departments (Education, Development, Artistic, Digital, etc.) to best develop stories which highlight the organization's activities while also helping to maintain a consistent voice throughout all internal and external messaging. This position must also create partnerships with third parties and media sources for promotions to bolster the excitement for the season's concerts and other events as directed. This individual will support the marketing team on growing a wide-ranging audience and the organization’s profile through inclusive marketing campaigns.

This position reports directly to the Director of Marketing & Communications.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Communications

• Conceptualizes and writes compelling and engaging multi-channel copy (web, print, email, social).
• Manages the Omaha Symphony digital profile including creating and managing the social media calendar, overseeing the overall social media presence, and website content.
• Creates and curates engaging, clickable, shareable web/social media content through superior writing, utilizing video, photography, and other assets, contractors, and guest artists. Supervises and directs related activities as needed.
• Conceptualizes, designs and distributes organizational emails for multiple departments.
• Monitors, listens, and promptly responds to social media users.
• Documents concerts and events via photos/video and edits material to share with patrons online.
• Develops a calendar of relevant internal and external topics and events to help shape social media and email strategies.
• Explores new ways to engage patrons, donors, volunteers, and potential buyers.
• Refreshes and upgrades email templates using graphics, personalization, and advanced features/optimization tools.
• Measures results and analyzes response to engagement initiatives utilizing email system and social media channels, ensuring that engagement activities are performing to expectations or being optimized to do so.

Public Relations

• Meets with staff and musicians to determine story ideas for upcoming events.
• Works with media outlets and third parties to develop promotions.
• Creates and distributes press releases to communicate key messages about concerts, fundraising, and community/education events to relevant mediums.
• Obtains and organizes concert publicity materials.
• Seeks out and sets up interviews for conductors, guest artists, and musicians.
• Creates and implements the organizational communications strategy within budget.
• Researches media, influencer and co-brand opportunities and outlets; builds relationships with contacts and maintains the company’s contact list.
• Monitors media and online mentions; organizes press and social clippings.
• Maintains and distributes OSA press kit.
• Develops and shares public relations and social media reports.

General Support

• Proofreads collateral and other material across departments.
• Participates in the evening and/or weekend concert duty rotation.
• Coordinates and tracks all ticket giveaways.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills and confidence in a creative environment
• Proven experience in marketing, building brands on social media and press.
• Advanced knowledge of multiple social media channels.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of media resources and contacts.
• Ability to make administrative decisions on unique exceptions or situations.
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly and independently.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• A strong visual flair and thorough attention to detail.
• The ability to work creatively and collaboratively within small teams.

Preferred Candidate Profile:

• Knowledge of music, symphony orchestras, classical music, and the arts In general.
• A strong, creative, and quick writer who excels at delivering impactful and consistent messaging.
• Works to build relationships with media, patrons and other vendors.
• Self-starter and independent thinker.
• Intermediate comfort level with basic graphic and video creation platforms (Canva, Splice, etc.)
• Skilled in photography
• Dependable and driven to be successful.
• Can manage multiple complex projects at one time.

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Journalism/Communications, Public/Media Relations or related field.
• Two years’ experience in marketing related activities.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Physical Demands:

· Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

· Required to sit for extended periods of time.

· Requires the ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.

· The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate

Equipment/Machinery Used:

· General Office Equipment (Computer, Telephone, Fax, Copier, Printer).

· Camera, portable audio, personal mobile device

Schedule/Work Environment

· This is a Full-Time, FLSA Exempt position

· Typically, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. office hours with occasional remote work opportunities and flex time

· Some evenings/weekend work needed to align with Symphony events

· Approximately 85% of work within office / 15% on location at local symphony events

Pay: $52,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Marketing or Communication: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person