Vice President of Marketing and Communications

About the Opportunity

The Vice President of Marketing and Communications will be a strong manager and mentor, ready to strengthen the collaboration among the marketing team and across departments. Informed by an aptitude for research and analysis, they should be deeply knowledgeable in traditional marketing tools and strategies and yet adaptive and eager to experiment with new channels and practices. They should be able to develop a comprehensive public relations strategy that supports concert activity and increases broader public awareness of the TSO. As a leader and manager, they should be capable of moving from a strategic mindset to an operational approach to collaborate with colleagues and external partners. Finally, they should be eager to think holistically about revenue for the organization, maintaining a close partnership with their colleagues in development and helping to lead the TSO into a vibrant future.

About Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1928 in the stunning landscape of the Sonoran Desert, the TSO is the oldest continuing professional performing arts organization in Arizona, and the oldest orchestra in the Southwest. The mission of the organization is to build and enrich the community through the experience of live music of the highest quality. It serves more than 120,000 lives each year, including 35,000 students, through concerts, educational programming and outreach. Under the dynamic artistic leadership of Music Director José Luis Gomez since 2016, the artistic quality and impact of the orchestra have grown significantly. The TSO’s vision is to reflect its many communities and bring them together through music, creating deeper connections with the region’s heritage. and making music for all Tucson and southern Arizona. For more information visit tucsonsymphony.org.

About Tucson

Tucson is known for its culture and incredible dining. The city’s central core is a vibrant area with a lively downtown, and if you wander in any direction from the city you will find endless stunning outdoor space. There are more than 350 days of sunshine in Tucson, and people here love to soak it up. On warm summer days, hiking trails that end in monsoon-rain-filled watering holes rise in popularity, and adventurers flock to the Sky Island of Mount Lemmon, where temperatures are cooler and pine trees offer an escape from the Sonoran Desert. Closer to the city, Tumamoc offers miles of views. Surrounding it all is The Loop, a paved multipurpose trail that’s more than 130 miles in length for bikers, horseback riders and power walkers.

Saguaro National Park straddles the east and west sides of the city, with more than 91,000 acres to explore. Centuries-old culture and modern art exist side by side; step back through the history of Tucson to see how the city today unifies Hispanic, Native American and Anglo cultures. Mission San Xavier del Bac has seen the region transition from New Spain to Mexico to Arizona, and sites throughout the city keep that history visible and present.

But nowhere combines Tucson’s cultures better than the menus of local restaurants. Flavors here are centuries in the making; a driving force behind Tucson’s designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy was the embracing of native ingredients. And the city is packed with art galleries, museums, live music venues, theatre companies, and endless other cultural institutions. Learn more about Tucson here. On top of these reasons that make Tucson a great place to live, Tucson remains a relatively affordable place to live, with housing costs being a major factor in its lower-than average cost of living compared to other cities.

Job Description

The TSO is seeking a VP of Marketing and Communications who is passionate about developing and retaining new audiences and building patron loyalty. A key member of the leadership team, the VP will plan and execute a marketing strategy that achieves attendance and ticket revenue goals consistent with the TSO’s long-range objectives and raises awareness and the profile of the TSO. The successful candidate will be creative, data-driven, forward-thinking, and adept at managing change.

Duties and Responsibilities

Sales and Marketing
● Generate sales that will build to $2.5m-$3m revenue in annual tickets sales from concert offerings (Classical, Pops, Films and Specials).
● Develop an annual marketing plan that establishes aggressive yet achievable goals for subscription and single ticket revenue and efficient cost-of-sale expense goals; make mid-year re-projections based on actual results.
● Propose to the CEO and Music Director ideas for new or altered product lines that would generate additional revenue and new attendees with an emphasis on younger and more diverse audiences.
● Work with the CEO, staff, and the Music Director to align marketing campaigns and branding with artistic and community vision.
● Plan and implement all aspects of season subscription renewal and acquisition campaigns, including direct mail and telemarketing. Oversee the acquisition of prospect lists, production of all campaign materials, and any work of outside contractors.
● Commission market research to inform future strategies.
● Use audience research and data analytics to inform strategy and optimize campaigns.
● Monitor sales and engagement metrics, adjusting tactics in real time.
● Plan and implement a year-round single tickets sales campaign, including the design and placement of print and digital advertising, special promotions, and corporate sales.
● Develop pricing strategies and policies that fulfill revenue/attendance goals. Research and recommend changes to subscription series makeup and ticketing policies.
● Oversee ticket office operations, ensuring a culture of friendly, courteous service and customer satisfaction in ticket transactions.
● Monitor the progress of all campaigns and provide regular sales and attendance reports and analyses, for management and the Board of Trustees; value and support the importance of accurate data in determining strategy and monitoring performance.

Communications and Publications
● Oversee the organization’s written and visual style, ensuring that all printed and digital materials (brochures, advertising, press releases, website, social media, and concert program books) are consistent in tone and quality.
● Develop and Introduce a mix of Spanish-language communications.
● Manage the TSO’s Public Relations strategy in order to attract much greater local, regional and national visibility.
● Oversee the maintenance and effectiveness of the website, with goals to upload regular compelling content, drive increased ticket and contributed revenue, and communicate the TSO’s community-based mission.
● Lead an organization-wide process to upgrade the current website, with goals to upload regular compelling content, drive increased ticket and contributed revenue, and communicate the TSO’s community-based mission.
● Invest in growing the influence of social media as a tool for awareness and revenue growth.
● Oversee the production, content and quality of concert program books.

Leadership
● Represent the TSO in the community and at concerts and other events, often taking place outside of normal business hours on evenings and weekends.
● Establish a uniform high level of customer experience at every touch point, including through the venue’s liaison.
● Develop and leverage relationships with local business, civic, educational and cultural leaders to enhance the TSO’s profile and public understanding for the unique role of the orchestra in the community.
● Support and promote the TSO’s initiatives to expand its impact through schools, community engagement and other community-based activities.
● Foster a culture of innovation and experimentation in marketing and communications approaches, aligning with TSO’s mission vision and values.
● Stay abreast of emerging marketing trends and technologies in the arts and cultural sector to encourage growth in skills and competencies across the entire team.

Required Skills and Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree with minimum 7 years marketing experience.
● Broad knowledge of current marketing trends, especially digital and content marketing.
● Relentless data-driven approach to all department campaigns and goals.
● CRM experience with ticketing and fundraising platforms is an advantage.
● Knowledge of patron loyalty programs and how they could inform the TSO’s practices.
● Extensive knowledge of how to build successful engagement with social media platforms.
● Creative, autonomous, and strong attention to detail.
● Excellent writing and speaking skills.
● Strong organizational and strategic planning skills.
● Excellent data and financial management skills, including creating and tracking budgets.
● Excellent managerial skills including motivation, leadership, and goal achievement.
● Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders to advance strategic objectives. Positive customer service attitude.
● Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications
● Experience with an orchestra or other arts organization.
● Background in classical music or other performing arts disciplines is a significant advantage.
● Working knowledge of Spanish.

Compensation
The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $110,000. TSO provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision options, employee wellness support and flexible spending account options, and a generous vacation and time off policy.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Tucson Symphony Orchestra is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities, programs, and general treatment during employment.

INCLUSION
Our patrons and audiences come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for the performing arts, you will find a home at TSO.

Application Instructions
The Vice President of Marketing and Communications search is being conducted on behalf of TSO by TOC Arts Partners, a national consultancy aligning strategies, structures, and leadership toward a thriving cultural sector. The search is being led by Cynthia Fuhrman, VP Executive Search, in consultation with and support from the TOC Arts Partners search team.

To apply, visit the online application (https://tocartspartners.com/jobs-listing/tucson-symphony-orchestra-vp-marketing-communications) and submit your materials. Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the job profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications that may not be present in your resume.

For general questions or nominations of prospective candidates, please contact searchteam@tocartspartners.com. We kindly request no phone calls.
Specific questions about the position may be directed to:
Cynthia Fuhrman
VP, Executive Search
cynthia@tocartspartners.com

Applications will be accepted until this role is filled. We encourage you to apply by October 20, 2025, for priority consideration. Interviews may begin at any time, and we encourage you to apply as early as possible for best consideration. Please note that applying before the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview, and all applicants will receive a response regarding the consideration and status of their candidacy. No phone calls, please.

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that cis men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.