Director of Public Relations

Reports to: Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations

Supervisor to: Public Relations Manager, Community Relations Manager

Summary:
The Director of Public Relations is responsible for executing both institutional and performance public relations and communications. Working closely with the Vice President of Marketing and PR and other senior staff to help shape the overall image of Kimmel Center, Inc., this position will also promote institutional offerings including educational and community initiatives, facilities, and artistic and civic missions. This position will play an integral role in institutional publications creation and editing.

Essential Functions:

Institutional Communications

  • Facilitate long term strategic institutional positioning both locally and nationally working collaboratively with CEO, COO, Board members and senior staff.
  • Develop and execute press strategies to gain local, national and international attention for the institution. Expand relationships with national and international media.
  • Act as spokesperson for Kimmel Center, Inc., handling all media requests for institutional information, and determining appropriate internal spokespersons for interviews.
  • Develop press strategies, craft press releases and pitch stories to promote the Kimmel Center’s education and community outreach programs as well as institutional news and events, season programming announcements, board appointments and staff news.
  • Oversee development and maintenance of press contact lists and maintain excellent relationships with the media.
  • Conduct press and VIP tours and liaison with Manager of Volunteer Services to accommodate special tour requests.
  • Liaison with Resident Company public relations directors, Facility Sales, and operations and production staff on press and union labor issues.
  • Liaison with tourism, civic, community, arts and cultural and other regional groups and organizations to pursue shared public relations opportunities.
Performance Publicity
  • Strategize and oversee all media campaigns to generate publicity for Kimmel Center and its theatrical presentations division.
  • Liaison with Academy of Music staff on press and union labor issues.
  • Plan and execute press conferences.
  • Prepare copy and oversee printing of invitations to press nights and parties.
  • Greet press at Kimmel Center events (including nights and weekends) and coordinate photographers and camera crews covering events and performances.
  • Expand Kimmel Center relationships with local, ethnic, alternative and fringe media.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • 6–8 years of communication or public relations experience, demonstrating an increasing level of responsibility.
  • Bachelor’s degree in public relations, public affairs, journalism, media, or arts administration preferred.
  • Ability to think strategically and gauge a rapidly changing marketplace.
  • Familiarity with new media and technologies, including e-marketing, podcasting, blogging and social media.
  • Knowledge of jazz, classical, world and pop music industries and trends, a plus.
  • Ability to direct, supervise and evaluate the contributions of others.

To apply for this position, send your cover letter and resume to Kimmel Center Human Resources:

Kimmel Center, Inc.
Human Resources
260 S. Broad Street, Suite 901
Philadelphia, PA 19102
fax: 215-790-5801
email: humanresources@kimmelcenter.org