Director of Communications

Director of Communications

Position Profile

About the Opportunity

These are exciting times in Sarasota as the Foundation is currently leading the vision to build a new world-class Sarasota Performing Arts Center in a public-private partnership with the city of Sarasota and in collaboration with the Bay Park Conservancy and Van Wezel Hall. The Foundation is seeking an experienced Director of Communications to lead all messaging, public relations, communications for this transformational new project.

The next Director of Communications will become an essential team member at this pivotal time in the cultural life of Sarasota, providing leadership in engaging the public – from civic leaders to elected officials, arts patrons to business leaders – in support of this exciting new community treasure. Internationally renowned architect Renzo Piano Building Workshop has been tapped to design this new Florida cultural icon along Sarasota’s unforgettable waterfront. More information on the project and design documents are available at https://tinyurl.com/yz4k8jbn.

About Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation

The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation emerged from the community's long-standing commitment to cultural excellence and performing arts in the Gulf Coast region. Building upon Sarasota's rich artistic heritage, which has included decades of renowned performances at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Foundation was established to help shepherd the next generation of performing arts in the region. Working in close partnership with the Van Wezel Foundation and the City of Sarasota, the organization is advancing the vision and planning for a new performing arts center designed by Renzo Piano Workshop as part of The Bay Park project. The Foundation's mission extends beyond just creating a new venue – it encompasses fostering educational opportunities, expanding access to the arts, creating accessible community arts spaces, and ensuring Sarasota continues to be a premier destination for world-class performances and cultural experiences.

To learn more about Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation visit:

https://tinyurl.com/3yanwhy8

https://tinyurl.com/yeyvjw3r

About Sarasota

Sarasota, Florida offers an unparalleled quality of life, combining the charm of a culturally rich city with the allure of stunning Gulf Coast beaches. Located on the southwestern coast of Florida, Sarasota boasts a convenient and accessible location, just an hour south of Tampa and two hours from Orlando. The city is renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches, including the world-famous Siesta Key Beach, consistently ranked among the best beaches in the United States. With its year-round warm climate, vibrant arts scene, and abundance of outdoor activities, Sarasota provides the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement. The area's natural beauty, coupled with its thriving cultural institutions and excellent dining options, makes Sarasota an ideal place to live, work, and play.

Job Description

The Director of Communications will take the lead, in collaboration with the Foundation team, in creating and executing communication plans that amplify the organization's mission and boost local and national support in the form of philanthropy, community building, brand recognition, and patron and participant growth. This role partners regularly with the CEO, as well as the Development and Community Engagement teams.

Working closely with the Communications Team, this position will lead the strategy and execution of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center communications plan and initiatives. The Communications Team includes the CEO, Chief Development Officer, key members of the Foundation's Board, the City of Sarasota, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and communications and PR consultants.

This leader is a compelling, strategic, and diplomatic communicator and collaborator who enjoys wearing multiple hats and thrives in a changing environment. They think creatively, are consistently proactive, and eager to be a key part of a project that will greatly enhance the cultural landscape of Sarasota and the surrounding communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and lead on the execution of a working plan for public facing communications leading to community support and enthusiasm for the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center.
• Work with members of the Communications Team on creating and updating Sarasota Performing Arts Center’s public facing materials, including, but not limited to presentation decks, talking points, and collateral.
• Be the Foundation’s main spokesperson, and an ambassador in the community, for the new performing arts center.
• Takes the lead, in the creation of comprehensive communication plans and marketing deliverables, partnering with the Marketing Manager and in collaboration with the PAF team, that advance community brand endorsement, philanthropic support, and all initiatives related to the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.
• Directs PR strategy for the Foundation including, but not limited to, fundraising initiatives; special events including the gala; education and community engagement programs; and the new performing arts center.
• Collaborates on communication strategy with the marketing leadership team at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall including cross-promotional communications; donor recognition; and coordination of in-person sponsorship opportunities.
• Works regularly in Tessitura to direct segmentation strategy on marketing initiatives, as well as manage relevant press, marketing, and communications contacts.
• Create and oversee the maintenance of a Foundation-wide communications calendar planning touch points for constituents throughout the year, coordinating the outreach efforts of education, development, and marketing.
• Determines marketing and communications measurables and regularly reports on ROI to CEO and other stakeholders. Partners with the Marketing Manager who tracks ROI.
• Supervises Marketing Manager, and other outside consultants.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• A dynamic and proactive leader
• Demonstrated success in leading communications initiatives
• Experience working with elected officials and local government
• Diplomatic discretion
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and be detail-oriented
• Microsoft Office 365 proficiency
• Proficiency working with CRMs, particularly in querying and reporting using the system’s built-in functions
• Ability to work weekends and evenings as needed

Other key qualities of the successful candidate will include:

Diplomacy – The capacity to listen to and understand different perspectives, handle political issues with sensitivity and respect, and communicate effectively with people across constituencies with sometimes conflicting priorities.

Optimism - A belief in a big vision to serve a region, during a multi-year project that has a variety of stakeholders and points of view.

Flexibility - The ability to respond promptly to shifts in priorities and tasks, as well as agility in accepting new ideas and approaches in response to the realities of a long term project.

Required Education and Experience

• 5+ years working in communications or marketing, with 2+ years leading a department or team
• Love of the arts and arts education!

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk and sit.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Acknowledgment:

The Foundation has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. The Foundation reserves the right to change it at its sole discretion at any time and without any advance notice. This job description and list of functions is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

A Note from Tom O’Connor Consulting Group

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds in the performing arts or non-profit space. So, whether you're returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

Compensation

The Foundation offers competitive compensation for this position, with a salary range expected between $120-130K, and a generous benefits package that includes fully covered medical and dental insurance, 403b, generous PTO and more.

Application Instructions

The search for the Director of Communications is being conducted on behalf of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation by Tom O'Connor Consulting Group, a New York-based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries. Cynthia Fuhrman, Vice President/Executive Search, and Tomi Douglas, Search Consultant, are leading the search process in support of Executive leadership at the Foundation.

Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role, and how your background and experience responds to the desired skills and qualities.

To apply, visit the online application (https://tinyurl.com/y3wzmepa) and submit your materials. Your cover letter should include relevant experience, including any direct experience you've had with similar roles and institutions. For best consideration, please apply by November 22, 2024. No phone calls, please.