Vice President of Marketing and Audience Development, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

Vice President of Marketing and Audience Development

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

ORGANIZATION:
One of the premier music organizations in the southeastern United States and the oldest continually operating symphony orchestra in the Carolinas, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO) connects with more than 100,000 music lovers each year through its lively season of concerts, broadcasts, community events, and robust educational programs. The CSO has a demonstrated commitment to its mission of uplifting, entertaining, and educating the diverse communities of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and beyond through exceptional music experiences. The CSO’s vision is to reach out through the transformative power of live music to be a civic leader, reflecting and uniting its region.

The CSO employs a professional full-time orchestra of 65 musicians and four conductors, supports three youth orchestras, and offers an extensive array of educational and audience engagement programs. The CSO performs in a variety of venues in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and surrounding counties in the Charlotte region, principally at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s Belk Theater, the Levine Center for the Arts’ Knight Theater, and Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall. The CSO’s extensive community engagement activities bring music to a variety of churches, breweries, community centers, schools, and senior care centers. Now, with the introduction of its new mobile stage, CSO Roadshow, the Symphony is reaching new audiences across the region.

The 2024-2025 season features an exciting and eclectic range of concerts across the Classical, Pops, Movie, and Family series. Highlights include Kwamé Ryan’s inaugural concerts as Music Director; the return of two former Music Directors: Christopher Warren-Green and Christof Perick; performances of audience favorites like Debussy’s La Mer, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, and Brahms’s A German Requiem; and a diverse lineup of composers and guest artists — including works by Coleridge-Taylor, Anna Clyne, and Jennifer Higdon; and performances by Afro-Cuban band Mambo Kings, violinist Amaryn Olmeda, and clarinetist Anthony McGill.

For more information, please visit charlottesymphony.org.

REPORTS/RELATIONSHIPS:
The Vice President of Marketing and Audience Development reports to the President and Chief Executive Officer and manages a team of six direct reports.

BASIC FUNCTIONS:
The Vice President of Marketing and Audience Development is responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, development, and execution of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s marketing, advertising, and audience engagement initiatives. They are responsible for leading the marketing operation and meeting or exceeding earned revenue with a strong emphasis and understanding of subscription acquisition and retention.

Specific duties will include, but not necessarily be limited to:

Develop, direct, and guide all marketing campaign strategies/plans and spending for both subscription and single-ticket marketing across all marketing channels – both traditional and digital – with solid understanding of direct mail, digital marketing (web content, email, social media, video ads, display advertising, and SEM), content marketing, advertising, out-of-home advertising, radio, etc.
Manage and develop the marketing, communications, and ticket sales team – six direct reports.
Handle ongoing single-ticket dynamic pricing and inventory management efforts to optimize revenue; assist in concert pricing.
Analyze sales patterns and pacing, campaign results, and ticket history to determine and/or change the course of campaign strategies and spends; project manage high-level campaigns as necessary.
Manage ticket sales office and telemarketing teams to increase subscriber base and audiences.
Ensure brand standards and brand communication strategies are consistently maintained and applied through all touch points and communication platforms.
Develop content marketing and audience development/cultivation programs to support ticket sales and build strong relationships with our audiences.
Work effectively with creatives, data analytics, and other outside vendors and consultants.
Develop effort for patron retention and frequency-building efforts, including subscriber and single-ticket retention and loyalty programs.
Oversee communications personnel in the collaboration and coordination with other internal departments on marketing-related matters to promote proper flow of information as it relates to marketing responsibilities.
Oversee external communications and public relations activities/strategies.
Concert duty and attendance and miscellaneous duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

At least five years of senior-level experience in marketing, communications, business, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience, including management experience leading a team and collaborating with peers.
Passion for the organization’s mission, growth, impact, and lasting value.
Superior writing and presentation skills.
Strong business acumen.
Thorough understanding of, and deep experience in, modern marketing; familiarity and expertise with marketing automation, machine learning, and other forms of artificial intelligence is desired.
Experience building a digital ecosystem.
Strong hands-on analytical skills, and data-driven decision-making skills.
Adaptive, creative, strategic, and forward-thinking about mission and patron experience.
Ability to collaborate effectively with peers across all departments within CSO.
Undergraduate degree in business administration, with an emphasis on marketing or a related field, preferred.

COMPENSATION:
Compensation will be commensurate with experience including a competitive base salary, bonus opportunity, and competitive benefits package.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
To make a nomination, provide a referral, or for additional information please use the contact information below. To apply, please submit a resume and/or vita, and cover letter, to:

Robin Bagby, Senior Associate
[email protected]
704.377.0362

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.