The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra seeks a results-oriented, highly motivated professional with public relations and social media experience and a commitment to the highest levels of excellence.

About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Celebrating its centennial in 2016, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is recognized as one of America’s most important and innovative orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural organizations. Led by the dynamic and visionary Maestra Marin Alsop, the Orchestra is internationally acclaimed and locally admired for its outstanding concerts, recordings, broadcasts, touring, and for its groundbreaking education and community outreach initiatives. The BSO annually performs for more than 350,000 people throughout the State of Maryland. Since 1982, its Baltimore home has been the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, and in 2005, the BSO became the nation’s first orchestra with year-round venues in two metropolitan areas with the opening of The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland. The BSO boasts trailblazing education and community programs designed for audiences of all ages, from a Music Box Series for toddlers and concerts for schoolchildren and families, to comprehensive programs for aspiring young musicians and amateur adult musicians. The award-winning OrchKids™ program, launched by Marin Alsop and the BSO in 2008, provides education resources and fosters social change through the power of music for children in the city’s neediest communities.

Opportunity

Under Marin Alsop’s visionary leadership, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is truly a forward-thinking organization in every area. In addition to offering stellar performances, the organization’s trailblazing education and audience building initiatives are widely respected in the industry, by audiences, and by funders (such as the Melon and Wallace Foundations, who offer generous support). The BSO’s centennial in 2016 provides tremendous opportunities for creating awareness, including: the introduction of PULSE, a series targeted to making the orchestra a destination for a younger demographic; 12 Centennial commissions; collaborations with artistic partners presenting large-scale productions of familiar works in updated artistic formats; a Centennial concert at Carnegie Hall; the introduction of the orchestra’s new Principal Guest Conductor, Markus Stenz; the roll-out of the new Parsons concert-wear project; and the League of American Orchestras annual conference.

Job Summary

The Public Relations & Social Media Manager manages the daily public relations and social media operations of the BSO. The Manager is a key figure in the effectiveness and overall ability of the communications department to achieve its goal of generating widespread and positive publicity for the BSO as well as building social media followers and interactions. While based mainly at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, the Manager also supports concert and institutional advancement communication efforts at The Music Center at Strathmore and may be required to work at the Strathmore office on occasion.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports multiple, simultaneous PR campaigns covering all components of BSO events, including weekly concerts, runouts, education programs, OrchKids, BSO Academy, Rusty Musicians Summer, Oregon Ridge, tours, etc.

• Supports the PR department in the development and maintenance of relationships with print, electronic and broadcast media to maximize positive coverage of the BSO.

• Helps maintain PR database (Vocus) and builds targeted distribution lists for dissemination of press releases and other communications initiatives.

• Drafts and implements PR communications vehicles including news releases, monthly calendars, press kits, media advisories, fact sheets, fun facts and trivia, etc.

• Helps maintain press room on website, including maintaining musician biographies and photos.

• Supports the PR department in creating pitch ideas and plans that will result in maximum exposure for the organization.

• Notifies media of photo opps and other news events; solicits and facilitates broadcast coverage; acts as liaison for news crews and photographers and ensures compliance with union restrictions.

• Collaborates with marketing, PR, development, education and artistic departments where public relations and social media impacts organizational objectives and goals to ensure coverage of institutional initiatives; works closely with marketing to ensure positive media exposure and social media interaction that contributes to revenue goals.

• Develops and executes social media strategies and campaigns for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and other social media platforms to help increase followers and engagement, to help raise the profile of the BSO online, and to support earned and contributed revenue initiatives.

• Monitors top influencers, competitors, media, and industry trends for potential shareable content.

• Monitors customer interactions on social media, initiates conversations, and provides appropriate responses where applicable.

• Monitors and reports social media analytics on a monthly basis to track efficacy and adjust course where necessary.

• Works closely with the Writer in Residence to maximize exposure on social media for stories posted to the BSO’s Story Feed.

• Assists with planning and execution of PR and communications events, providing on-site support as needed.

• Assists in the management of media inquiries and other requests, serving as PR liaison to media and community, and department liaison within the BSO.

• Participates in all PR department meetings.

• Supports consistency of corporate message in all PR materials. Offers proofing assistance to other departments, particularly with regards to consistency of institutional messaging.

• Assists with administrative duties in the PR department.

• Rotates concert night duties with other department staff.

• Ensures standardization of operating procedures within position and department.

• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Two to three years of public relations and social media experience in a professional setting; experience in the arts is preferred, but not required.

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing/communications, English, journalism or a related field; or equivalent work experience.

• Exceptional verbal and writing skills; proven editing and proofreading ability.

• Knowledge of communication technologies including social networking, blogs, YouTube, etc.

• Solution-oriented multi-tasker who can prioritize multiple competing issues and initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

• Schedule flexibility and willingness to work some nights and weekends for concert duty as needed.

• Knowledge of classical music, current artists, and the entertainment industry.

• Strong attention to detail, high level of tact, diplomacy and confidentiality.

• Proficiency with Microsoft programs, and knowledge of Photoshop preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive salary negotiable, commensurate with qualifications and experience. A benefits package that includes:

• Health insurance, at low cost to the employee

• Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability Insurance, paid entirely by the BSO

• Generous paid time off, including annual, personal, and sick leave

• Two 403(b) plan options

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Employee Assistance Program

More information about the BSO can be found at: www.BSOmusic.org.