Director of Marketing & Communications

 

Delaware Theatre Company (DTC) seeks a strategic thinker, marketer and leader to serve as Director of Marketing and Communications. The Director will create, develop, and execute both short-term and longterm strategic marketing plans to develop and grow an annual audience of more than 25,000, and ticket revenue in excess of $800,000. Reporting to the Managing Director, the Director of Marketing and Communications serves as a key member of the theatre’s senior management team. This is a great opportunity for a talented and ambitious leader advancing in the field of arts marketing.

 

The mission of Delaware Theatre Company is to create theatre of the highest professional quality in Delaware and thereby enrich the vitality of the area through artistic programming, education, and community service. At its heart, theatre is community. By telling our stories, by shining a light on our shared experiences, theatre strengthens the bonds between us. Connects us. That's what community is about - and that's what we're about. Delaware Theatre Company has been connecting people for more than 40 years. In 1979, Delaware Theatre Company found its first home in an abandoned firehouse in downtown Wilmington. After minor renovations funded by the city, individual donors and sweat equity, the company was ready to put on a show. From that very first day, the goal was to show that theatre—an ancient, powerful artform—could touch every human emotion. In our intimate 389-seat facility on Wilmington’s Riverfront, DTC serves more than 25,000 adults and 5,000 students annually.

 

Inspired by the artistic richness onstage, DTC has a host of award-winning education and outreach programming that runs year-round including acting classes for children and adults, and a popular ensemblebased summer theatre camp, Summer on Stage. Our education department has been nationally recognized for its work with Youth at Risk, including Totally Awesome Players (a yearly program for children and adults with cognitive disabilities) and Arts Across the Curriculum at Grace Cottage for girls. DTC also serves the community with two playwriting programs, Senior Playwriting and Delaware Young Playwrights Festival.

 

Delaware Theatre Company operates under a LORT agreement with Actors Equity Association, Stage Directors & Choreographers Society, and United Scenic Artists.

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Purpose of Position

The Director of Marketing and Communications is directly responsible for Delaware Theatre Company’s marketing, branding, public relations, community relations, sales, and earned revenue generation. Specifically, the director:

 

• develops and administers the theatre’s subscription and single show sales campaigns activities, identifying, cultivating, attracting, stewarding, and retaining audiences from year to year

• maximizes sales and revenue through yield management and pricing, database marketing, direct mail, digital marketing, media planning, and new media.

• collaborate with our digital marketing partners, Capacity Interactive, in developing digital strategies and tracking and reacting to data analytics.

• directly manages the activity of one full-time staff members, the Marketing Associate/Graphic Designer, as well as any potential Marketing Apprentice(s)

• coordinates with outside vendors, organizational partners, and peers within the local theatre community to achieve Delaware Theatre Company’s audience development objectives 

• serves as a member of Delaware Theatre Company’s management team, working with the Executive/Artistic Director, Managing Director, and senior staff as well as the Board of Trustees and other volunteers.

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Organizational Structure 

The Director of Marketing and Communications reports to the Managing Director and supervises the Marketing Department.

 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conceive and execute robust subscription and single ticket campaigns to meet or exceed approved goals

  • Develop and oversee all sales and marketing strategies, including direct marketing, media planning and placement

  • Assist the Managing Director in projecting and budgeting subscription and single ticket revenues based on historical sales trends; set and manage pricing; maximize revenue by implementing dynamic pricing strategies in coordination with overall organizational goals

  • Execute innovative audience development strategies with a focus on increasing patron loyalty, maximizing revenue and increasing audience diversity. Pricing: model future sales to make single ticket and subscription price recommendations,

• Develop reporting and analytics to generate key sales, financial, and statistical analyses to effectively track sales and financial performance o Develop and carry out a comprehensive communications strategy and plan to achieve organizational goals for branding, public relations, sales, and community awareness

  • Create, manage, and cultivate Delaware Theatre Company’s brand in local and national markets

  • Oversee and guide graphic design and publications content to reflect Delaware Theatre Company’s brand identity

  • Maintain and improve website and online ticketing functionalities

• Supervise the Marketing team member(s), ensuring that their work serves the mission of the theatre in an efficient, effective, and productive fashion.

• Serve as a member of the management team, guiding and monitoring plans and goals of the organization

• Work closely with Development and Education departments to maximize organizational revenue by administering, coordinating, and executing sales and marketing strategies for Development and Education programs.

• Administer and coordinate a range of departmental activities

  • Budget: maintain department’s budget by tracking expenses in ledger and accounting software

  • Develop social media strategy (along with out partners at Capacity Interactive)

  • Create and monitor all departmental budgets

  • Conduct and organize research

 

Preferred candidate will demonstrate:

• Record of achievement and growth in arts or event marketing.

• Demonstrated management and leadership skills.

• Evidence of maturity, drive, and enthusiasm.

• Capacity for strategic thinking in a deadline-driven, multi-task environment. o Superlative communication skills, especially in writing.

• Strong analytical abilities, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering interest in detail.

• Proficiency in or display curiosity in digital media best practices (social, SEO, display, etc.).

• Experience with MS Word products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, others).

• Love of theatre.

• Knowledge of Wilmington community preferred

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AN EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Delaware Theatre Company offers a competitive salary and full benefits including 80% paid health with options for dental and vision insurance, a 403B retirement plan option, and paid vacation and sick leave. Delaware Theatre Company also offers a diverse, congenial, supportive environment conducive to professional growth. Position available June 1, 2020. Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and a resume without delay. Delaware Theatre Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Persons from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Application Process This search is being conducted by the Managing Director of Delaware Theatre Company. Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, resume and salary range requirements, electronically and in confidence, to:

 

Matt Silva

 

A review of prospective candidates will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates of interest will be contacted. We regret that we’re unable to follow up with every candidate. No phone calls, please.