Senior Director of PR, Communications, and Content
Chicago, IL
Full Time
Experienced
REPORTS TO: Vice President, Marketing and Communications
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt
Through artistic excellence coupled with innovative, relevant programming; initiatives to connect with and grow new audiences; engagement with communities to ignite creativity across Chicago; and a modernized Opera House that is the setting for truly great experiences, Lyric is leading the advancement of opera. This collaborative vision will deliver ever more exciting, thought-provoking and inclusive audience and community experiences – while increasing the gravitational pull of our art form, our company, and our city.
The Senior Director of PR, Communications, and Content provides strategic vision and leadership across three closely related disciplines: PR/media, communications, and content for traditional and digital channels.
On the PR/media front, this Senior Director will develop a comprehensive program designed to enhance Lyric’s image and visibility locally, nationally, and internationally as one of the world’s great opera companies while fostering an image of approachability, relatability, and relevance with the people of the City of Chicago. In addition to reputation management, this Senior Director will generate big ideas that grab attention and help Lyric stand out as an exciting, must-experience destination.
The Senior Director of PR, Communications, and Content will collaborate with the Senior Director of Marketing and Audience Development and the Director of Sales and Advertising on a digital content strategy that serves both our core marketing function (email, web, social, other) and our public communications platforms (program book, others), and will collaborate with Manager of Social Media and Content on our online engagement strategy. Continuing to build and foster an online community through social platforms is a key priority, as is making strategic connections between social media, digital content, and PR.
This Senior Director will create, maintain, strengthen and promote Lyric Opera of Chicago’s positioning strategy, will manage relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders, media partners and organizations. This position supports seven direct reports: Director of Media Relations, Lead Writer & Editor, Public Relations Manager, Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator, Manager of Social Media & Content, Digital Content Producer, Digital Marketing Associate.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
PR and Media
Content
Communication
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
WORK CONDITIONS:
COMPENSATION:
Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Salary is $130,000-$140,000
Lyric Opera offers benefits including health, dental, vision, 403B (no company match), 401(k) with company match, PTO (including sick, vacation, and personal days, and holidays), life/AD&D coverage, opportunities for professional development, and complimentary tickets.
Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt
Through artistic excellence coupled with innovative, relevant programming; initiatives to connect with and grow new audiences; engagement with communities to ignite creativity across Chicago; and a modernized Opera House that is the setting for truly great experiences, Lyric is leading the advancement of opera. This collaborative vision will deliver ever more exciting, thought-provoking and inclusive audience and community experiences – while increasing the gravitational pull of our art form, our company, and our city.
The Senior Director of PR, Communications, and Content provides strategic vision and leadership across three closely related disciplines: PR/media, communications, and content for traditional and digital channels.
On the PR/media front, this Senior Director will develop a comprehensive program designed to enhance Lyric’s image and visibility locally, nationally, and internationally as one of the world’s great opera companies while fostering an image of approachability, relatability, and relevance with the people of the City of Chicago. In addition to reputation management, this Senior Director will generate big ideas that grab attention and help Lyric stand out as an exciting, must-experience destination.
The Senior Director of PR, Communications, and Content will collaborate with the Senior Director of Marketing and Audience Development and the Director of Sales and Advertising on a digital content strategy that serves both our core marketing function (email, web, social, other) and our public communications platforms (program book, others), and will collaborate with Manager of Social Media and Content on our online engagement strategy. Continuing to build and foster an online community through social platforms is a key priority, as is making strategic connections between social media, digital content, and PR.
This Senior Director will create, maintain, strengthen and promote Lyric Opera of Chicago’s positioning strategy, will manage relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders, media partners and organizations. This position supports seven direct reports: Director of Media Relations, Lead Writer & Editor, Public Relations Manager, Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator, Manager of Social Media & Content, Digital Content Producer, Digital Marketing Associate.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
PR and Media
- Serve as the communications lead to develop the communications strategies and core materials required to support a broad range of external communications and public relations activities aimed at growing the Lyric brand. This includes overseeing planning and implementation while ensuring best practice and a coordinated, integrated approach.
- Oversee all media relations in support of Lyric Opera of Chicago including creation of media releases, graphics and video.
- Create and maintain strong media relationships to facilitate editorial piece pitches.
- Manage relationships with external public relation agencies including the hiring and management of consultants.
- Oversee measurement of programs to evaluate effectiveness, including media monitoring and analysis.
- Manage all budgets related to the communications, content, media and public relations portfolio.
- Provide communications advice and guidance to senior management team on strategic planning, issues and crisis management, media relations, press announcements etc.
- Provide briefing notes for internal stakeholders to ensure that they are accurately briefed and prepared for all media interviews and public events.
- Work closely with the marketing team to support development of integrated campaigns as needed.
Content
- Facilitate a cohesive and impactful content strategy across digital and traditional channels, and supports key message strategies and brand storylines. Channels include the blog, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads, and other owned and operated digital platforms, the program book, and other ancillary projects.
- Prioritize audience needs and wants in these channels, and use a combination of data and social media best practices to drive this audience development and engagement.
- Assume overall responsibility for all content creation and ensure compliance of collective union agreements.
- Manage a staff of high-caliber, creative professionals and the quality and efficiency of work, ensuring the structure and duties are meeting operational objectives in the most effective way.
Communication
- Actively participate in the development of strategic crisis communications plans.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure effective internal communication, promoting organizational goals and culture.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Qualified candidates have a relevant university degree and at least seven or more (7+) years of experience in management, communications and public relations.
- Excellent English Language oral and written communication skills, additional language skills are an asset.
- Passion for the performing arts is a must; passion for opera is nice to have but not required.
- Superior written and verbal presentation skills, media relations savvy.
- Must have a passion for developing early- and mid-career talent, providing guidance and promoting collegiality among team and larger staff.
- Excellent analytical, judgment, and decision-making skills along with a proven working knowledge of strategic communications planning, media and public relations and digital media.
- Experience in crisis communications/issues management an asset with the ability to analyze issues and develop strategies to mitigate potential negative public perception.
- Effective budgeting skills and a demonstrated ability to work with limited resources while still being creative and effective.
- An effective collaborator and team builder.
- Demonstrated people management skills are a must.
- Thrives in an extremely fast-paced, ever-changing business environment.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Must be highly self-motivated, personally & professionally resilient and capable of working independently and collaboratively.
WORK CONDITIONS:
- Ability to occasionally oversee evening or weekend functions, deployments or performances.
- Sitting for extended periods of time.
- Ability to operate a computer and to handle other office equipment with or without accommodations.
COMPENSATION:
Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Salary is $130,000-$140,000
Lyric Opera offers benefits including health, dental, vision, 403B (no company match), 401(k) with company match, PTO (including sick, vacation, and personal days, and holidays), life/AD&D coverage, opportunities for professional development, and complimentary tickets.
Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
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