OVERVIEW

Celebrating its centennial year, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is internationally recognized as one of the world’s preeminent orchestras. Acclaimed for a history of artistic excellence, the BSO has attracted a devoted national and international following while maintaining deep bonds throughout Maryland through innovative education and community outreach initiatives. The BSO made music history in 2007, when Marin Alsop was named the Orchestra’s 12th Music Director, becoming the first woman to head a major American orchestra. With her highly regarded artistic vision, her dynamic musicianship and her commitment to accessibility in classical music, Maestra Alsop’s directorship has ushered in a new era for the BSO and its audiences.

The BSO is a multiple Grammy Award winner and has, on several occasions, topped Billboard’s classical music chart. Located in Baltimore City’s historic Arts District, the BSO’s primary home is the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, a 2,443 seat facility that opened in 1982. Since 2005, the BSO has also performed a regular series of concerts at its second home, the Music Center at Strathmore, a 1,976 seat facility in Montgomery County, a suburb of Washington, D.C. During its history the BSO has played multiple engagements at Carnegie Hall and has toured in Europe and Asia. In the 2015-16 season, the BSO has more than 140 scheduled concerts, 40 of them at Strathmore.

The BSO was recently awarded a multi-year grant from the Wallace Foundation as one of 26 organizations nationwide funded by the foundation’s Building Audiences for Sustainability initiative. The BSO Wallace project focuses on growing its 25-39 year old audience base, and the innovative Pulse series is a key program dedicated to this age demographic.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Director of Marketing and Public Relations is a member of senior management and reports directly to the President and CEO. This position works closely with the Director of Ticket Services.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director is the primary liaison between the BSO and its partners for marketing and public relations. In that capacity the Director provides guidance on upcoming concerts and events, provides information about desired target segments, reviews the developed marketing plan and presents it to senior management for final approval. In addition the Director is responsible for the development of goals for ticket revenue for all product lines, including the BSO’s core classical and Pops subscription series, family concerts, orchestra specials, holiday programming, the Pulse series, summer concerts, occasional non-orchestra presentations, and other ticketed activities at all primary venues.

The Director will -

• Review and advise on marketing and public relations strategies to sustain, grow and diversify existing and new audiences;
• Have the ability to evaluate research and analytics;
• communicate initiatives to deepen and sustain patron loyalty;
• demonstrate awareness of new and emerging audience-building trends;

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meet or exceed earned annual revenue goals by maximizing subscription and single-ticket sales.
• Coordinate the effort of the BSO’s marketing partners on all sales and marketing campaigns.
• Review and analyze reports from partners regarding the success of campaigns. Communicate results to senior management and develop and coordinate feedback.
• Routinely track, analyze and evaluate subscription, single ticket and group sales trends in both markets and communicate appropriate adjustments to marketing efforts to achieve the BSO’s attendance and revenue goals.
• Develop and recommend pricing strategies and forecast revenues consistent with achieving maximum capacity utilization and budget goals.
• Work closely with the BSO’s partners to ensure that earned revenue is maximized thru the BSO website.
• Oversee the telemarketing campaigns to achieve annual revenue goals, providing a consistent, year-round pipeline of new offers and packages that meet the preferences and buying patterns of various consumer segments. Determine the efficacy of the current telemarketing vendor.
• When appropriate, present results to the Board of Directors.
• Provide guidance and expertise for ongoing ticketing and sales policies and working closely with the Development department to enhance strategically coordinated donor and patron service.
• Coordinate and maintain through the BSO’s partners a strong single ticket direct mail campaign that maximizes attendance and revenue from the BSO’s core internal subscriber and single ticket lists.
• Work closely with the IT department to ensure that technology is used to its greatest capacity, supporting and driving sales and marketing goals. Implement an effective patron and prospect management system within Tessitura and work with IT to provide support and training for staff.
• Oversee all revenue and expense budgeting and planning functions for the Marketing department. Ensure the most efficient use of resources, continually assessing the effectiveness of sales and marketing expenditures.
• Provide guidance and support in the development and packaging of corporate sponsorship.
• Coordinate the public relations efforts of the BSO through its partners.
• Participate in an active capacity at BSO functions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or a related field. M.B.A. desired
• 5-7+ years marketing experience in comparable industries with up to 3 years in a rising leadership position. Experience in a non-profit sales environment a possible advantage.
• Exceptional track record of developing, implementing and executing marketing and sales strategies that have consistently met or exceeded planned objectives
• Keen grasp of how technology can drive earned revenue, with experience in choosing, setting up, and using marketing and sales software applications.
• Personal leadership through example coupled with ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and staff to create a results-driven, team-oriented environment.
• Strong planning and analytic skills in sales, marketing, and competitive business strategy.
• Experience in the use of research and analysis to drive strategy.
• Interest in, and preferably, knowledge of symphonic music and the classical music industry.
• Demonstrated superior written and verbal communication skills.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary negotiable, commensurate with qualifications and experience
• A benefits package that includes:
  • Health insurance
  • Dental, Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, paid entirely by the BSO
  • Generous paid time off, including annual, personal, and sick leave
  • 403(b) Plan
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Health Savings Account
  • Employee Assistance PrograM

More information about the BSO can be found at our website by following this link: www.bsomusic.org.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by Friday, May 13, 2016.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences of relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.