Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations

Arizona Opera is seeking a highly creative, communicative, organized, and dedicated Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations to join its leadership team as the company builds on its 50+ year legacy toward a vision centered on community, education, collaboration, artistic excellence and innovation.

Founded in 1971, Arizona Opera is a cornerstone of the arts and culture community in Arizona, serving both Phoenix and Tucson with a mission to connect and inspire its communities through artistically vibrant programs and productions that combine music, storytelling, and the human voice. Over the years, Arizona Opera has become known for its innovative productions, prolific education and community-centric programming, and commitment to both classic and contemporary works.

At the heart of Arizona Opera’s vision is a deep commitment to creating transformative experiences through the power of opera. This commitment is evident in Arizona Opera’s mainstage productions, its community engagement initiatives, and its education programs that reach across the state, bringing the art form to diverse audiences and inspiring future generations of artists and opera lovers alike.

Like many performing arts organizations around the country, Arizona Opera is navigating the challenges of the post-pandemic landscape, including issues affecting attendance and contributed income. To address these challenges, Arizona Opera has recently adopted a new strategic plan, focused on financial and organizational sustainability, education, community engagement and collaboration.

Job Title: Director Marketing, Communications and Public Relations
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Department: Marketing and Communications
Reports To: President and General Director
FLSA Status: Not Eligible for OT (Exempt)
Classification: Full-time
Salary range: $75-85,000, commensurate with experience

The Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations at Arizona Opera serves as a key full-time staff member of the Company’s leadership team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in marketing, advertising, branding, public relations, event coordination and ticket sales for the performing arts or similar events. Experience with another non-profit professional performing arts organization or event promoter is preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Provides strategic leadership and direction for Arizona Opera’s Marketing Department, advancing the organization’s brand and ensuring alignment across all communications, advertising, and outreach efforts.
• Oversees the Patron Services and customer experience operations, ensuring high-quality service, effective policies, and alignment with sales goals.
• Develops and executes comprehensive marketing, communications, and press strategies to promote all Arizona Opera programs, performances, and initiatives, ensuring consistency with the organization’s brand, mission, and vision.
• Leads the creation, production, and placement of all marketing, advertising, and promotional materials across print, digital, broadcast, and social platforms.
• Directs digital marketing and website strategy to maintain a dynamic and engaging online presence that drives ticket sales, audience growth, and brand awareness.
• Oversees pricing strategy, including dynamic pricing and regularly evaluates campaign ROI, sales performance, and audience data to inform and refine tactics.
• Cultivates and manages relationships with media outlets, sponsors, and peer organizations, identifying innovative partnerships and promotional opportunities.
• Develops and monitors the marketing budget and cash flow, adjusting weekly to reflect market conditions, sales trends, and organizational priorities.
• Manages all marketing and sales systems within the Tessitura Network (CRM) and collaborates with other departments to ensure effective cross-departmental data use and communication.
• Identifies and pursues new and engaging audience entry points, strengthening retention, community engagement, and overall audience development.
• Engages and manages external consultants, vendors, and freelancers to support marketing innovation and technology integration.
• Provides regular reporting on sales, revenue, and marketing metrics; collaborates with the General Director to project annual sales revenue and performance benchmarks.
• Serves as a collaborative team leader and company-wide partner, promoting shared goals, interdepartmental alignment, and organizational success.
• Organizes and attends all publicity events and interviews with staff and artists.
• Assists the General Director with special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
• Associate Director of Patron Services
• Marketing and Engagement Manager
• Patron Services staff

QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of five years of successful marketing management, advertising and sales initiative is required.
• Experience with budgeting, creating marketing plans, and developing strategies
• Experience with all aspects of print production and advertising
• Experience with web development and digital marketing
• Managing marketing budget more than $200K
• Sales experience and customer service/relations experience
• Excellent analytic skills
• Five years’ experience in nonprofit marketing, (opera/theatre/performing/fine arts, a plus)
• Familiarity and/or experience with performing arts organizations
• Ability to strategize, plan, prioritize and set timelines and metrics for success
• Excellent writing, organizational, proofreading and communication skills
• Knowledge of database and ticketing system, (Tessitura preferred).

COMPUTER SKILLS
• Proficient with Microsoft Office including Word & Excel
• Proficient with Tessitura
• Proficient in web-based research tools

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• Extended periods at workstation, using a keyboard, viewing a computer screen and communicating by telephone and in person. Some special event set up and breakdown is required. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. Travel by car required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• Work environment is generally quiet, and in an office setting but intensifies during periods when the Company is in season. Also see Physical Demands section above.

TRAVEL/OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
• Primary residency in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area is required. Reliable transportation required and must be able to travel statewide. Flexible schedule that will require working some nights and weekends to attend events, performances, rehearsals. Air travel may be required.

TO APPLY
Send cover letter, resume and names and contact information for three references to HR@azopera.org.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

The Arizona Opera is an Equal Opportunity employer. The Arizona Opera does not discriminate against an Employee or candidate for employment because of his or her race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin or nationality, age, disability, veteran status, marital status or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, engagements, assignments, training, discipline, termination, promotions or other conditions of employment or career development.  We offer Reasonable Accommodations where necessary to candidates for employment and to our qualified employees with disabilities.