Director of Advancement & Patron Communications

Position Overview:

The Director of Advancement & Patron Communications is responsible for planning and supervising all activities related to ticket sales and other revenue development as well as delivering the Symphony’s brand, promotions, public relations, patron relationships, sponsorship and any additional support for all of the Richmond Symphony’s artistic, education and community programs and initiatives, consistent with Board of Director policies and long-range objectives. This position oversees all patron relationship management, including, but not limited to:

• Overall marketing and fundraising strategies (including ticket sales, advertising, annual fund, endowment campaign, planned giving, government and foundation grants, sponsorships, and fundraising-related special events)
• Patron communications strategies
• Public relations (external communication strategies to principal constituencies)
• Advertising (print, electronic, and media)
• Social Media and Digital advertising and promotion
• Media relations (proactive and reactive communication)

The Director of APC is one of the five members of the Richmond Symphony leadership team, and as such will be expected to provide leadership across the organization and represent the agency outside in the community.

The Director of APC directly supervises a departmental team combining the marketing, PR and development functions to execute the work within the organization.

The Director of APC is expected to create, monitor and protect the Richmond Symphony brand as it is necessary.

The Director of APC provides support via the APC department for the Richmond Symphony Foundation.

Key Responsibilities:

Supervises managers and/or functions in the following areas: annual fund, major gifts, corporate giving, foundation support, capital/endowment campaign, publications, advertising, public relations, and box office.  Supervises related interns and volunteers.

Marketing/PR:

• Creates and implements long- and short-term, pro-active marketing and public relations plans and strategies in coordination with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Works with Executive Director and Board of Directors in setting an annual marketing budget, sales goals, ticket prices, and concert packaging. Produces reports related to ticket sales income, projects, and analyses ticket sales, and maintains historic and comparative data related to ticket sales.
• Conducts and directs market research projects.
• Creates and supervises the production of marketing collateral.
• Contributes advice and information on artistic programming as related to market trends and demand.
• Negotiates contracts as needed with outside vendors for the provision of direct mail, marketing research, design, and printing services; ensures competitive pricing and the quality of their work.
• Develops relationships and partnerships with external cultural, educational and business organizations as related to audience development and corporate image.

Advancement:

• Prepares an annual Development plan for the Symphony, including monetary goals and a system for management.
• Participates in the development and implementation of long-range plans for the Symphony and develops long-range fundraising goals.
• Provides direct management of planned giving programs and endowment campaign activities.
• Maintains a close and positive relationship with all constituencies of the Symphony, including the Board of Directors, Foundation Board of Trustees, administrative staff, Donor Advisory Board, Richmond Symphony Orchestra League, Community Council, sub-committees, business, professional, and civic leaders.
• Serves as the Symphony liaison with the Revenue Development Committee, Public Relevance Committee, Audience Building Committee, and Special Events Committee, and sits on several other Committees of the Board.
• Represents the Symphony at local, state, and national professional meetings, as well as at cultural and social activities.
• Maintains a visible presence at concerts and other Symphony related events.
• Coordinates activities of the APC Department with all other Richmond Symphony departments as necessary.
• Acts as Front of House Manager as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

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Production Manager

Position Overview:

• The Production Manager sets and maintains proper stage conditions for rehearsals and concerts and is responsible for transporting, storing, and maintaining orchestra-owned equipment and musical instruments, working with the Special Events & Assistant Production Manager and other Operations team members. The Production Manager schedules and supervises the stage crew for all Richmond Symphony (RSO) services, including Chorus, Youth Orchestras, and other officially-sanctioned activities.
• This is a full-time exempt, benefits-eligible position reporting to the Director of Artistic Planning and Orchestral Operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Sets and strikes the stage in a timely manner and ensures that the proper number of chairs and stands for the orchestra, conductor, and soloists are on stage.
• Supervises the focusing of lights and coordinates audio reinforcement, when needed, including any backline requirements. Ensures that good, clean light exists with adequate sightlines for all stands.
• Ensures that contractual obligations for stage environment are met, including temperature requirements, that stage, and backstage areas and dressing rooms are clean, and that access areas are lighted and ready for arriving musicians.
• Coordinates recording/reinforcement of concerts in consultation with Recording Engineer/Sound Engineer and DAP&OO.
• Moves equipment and instruments as needed.
• Follows conductor’s directions for achieving the best acoustical conditions.
• Controls access to the stage area and coordinates all concert logistics, including tuning, orchestra calls, supervision of stagehands, and stage moves.
• Acts as primary Symphony liaison for production issues with house stagehands.
• Maintains inventory of stage equipment and instruments.
• Coordinates rental or purchase of additional equipment or instruments as specified by the Personnel Manager and as authorized by the DAP&OO.
• Schedules routine maintenance and tuning of orchestra-owned instruments.
• Exercises primary responsibility for the Symphony trucks, van/s, Big Tent and other related inventory, maintaining records of their usage and upkeep.
• Coordinates all rentals of Symphony-owned equipment and/or instruments with authorization of DAP&OO. Maintains written records of rentals for insurance purposes.
• Acts as ‘advance liaison’ for touring and run-out concerts and ensures that facilities are adequate for the particular performance.
• As authorized by the DAP&OO, hires and supervises part-time or hourly assistants, to help with load-ins and load-outs, and/or to act as substitute/s for the Production Manager when needed.
• Maintains stagehand payroll records and submits payroll information to Personnel Manager.
• Big Tent duties, calling on specialized support staff as needed:
• Be the RSO manager principally responsible for all aspects of the care and usage of the Richmond Symphony’s Big Tent and ancillary equipment, including but not limited to:
• Warner Shelter System SA-56 Arabesque Tent
• Staging Dimensions staging system – 52’x52’ stage plus step units and handicap ramp
• Big Tent Sound package
• 26’ box trucks containing tent and staging equipment
• Storage facility for Big Tent trucks and equipment
• Responsible for all site inspections to ensure proper and safe placement, installation and strike of the Big Tent.
• Contracts and supervises qualified stage crew and truck drivers during installation and strike of the Big Tent.
• Supervises the focusing of lights and coordinates audio reinforcement, when needed. Ensures that good, clean light exists with adequate sightlines for all stands.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the DAP&OO.

Qualifications:

• Successful performance in this position requires an individual with excellent organizational skills, including attention to detail and efficient time management; the ability to collaborate courteously, creatively and effectively with internal and external partners, fostering positive relationships with conducting staff, musicians, guest artists, and outside production personnel.
• The ability to work effectively with composure under pressure; and the ability to improvise and respond to sometimes unusual circumstances or requests, with an attitude of service and flexibility, are a MUST.
• A Class B Commercial Driver’s License and the ability to lift 50 – 100 lbs are required. Computer literacy including word processing, spreadsheet, and database software systems are also required.
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with limited resources is crucial to the performance of the position’s requirements. Providing immediate, constructive responses to musicians’ needs and requests is crucial to success. Additionally, this employee should be proactive in delivering excellent service to musicians and guest artists by anticipating requests as much as possible.

Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, long term disability, life insurance, self-funded dental insurance, employer contribution to 403(b) account, and paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave.

To Apply:

• Resume, cover letter, and 2 professional references
• Application review begins July 31, 2019, and will continue until the position is filled. Electronic submission only.
• Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and demonstrated eligibility for work, including compliance with 22.1-296.1 of the Code of

 

Please submit materials to pmathis@richmondsymphony.com