George Street Playhouse invites applications and referrals for the position of Director of Marketing and Public Relations. This is a promising opportunity for a talented and ambitious leader. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

About the Organization

Under the leadership of Artistic Director David Saint and Managing Director Kelly Ryman, George Street Playhouse (GSP) is a nationally recognized theatre, presenting an acclaimed mainstage season while providing an artistic home for established and emerging artists. Founded in 1974, GSP has been represented by numerous productions both on and off -Broadway – recent productions include The Toxic Avenger (which won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Musical), Anne Meara's Down the Garden Paths, the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Drama League-nominated production of The Spitfire Grill, and the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning play Proof by David Auburn, which was developed at GSP during the 1999 Next Stage Series of new plays.

The mission of GSP is to enrich people’s lives by producing world-class theatre. To accomplish its mission, they seek:

• to produce the highest quality of intellectually and emotionally challenging new works, re-imagined classics, and educational programs that speak with relevance to society.
• to serve as a vital cultural institution in New Jersey and a creative force nationally.
• to positively shape and be shaped by the diverse character of their community; and
• to create a nurturing home for the highest level of professionalism in the arts.

The values of GSP embody and celebrate the identities, backgrounds, and diverse experiences of our communities. They espouse to be an organization fully committed to:

• Being open to and receptive of new ideas
• Being an advocate of diverse populations within its communities
• Being collaborative within their organization by giving everyone a voice
• Being authentic in their curiosity and seeking opportunities to develop through learning and celebrating others

The Position

The Director of Marketing and Public Relations (hereafter the Director) is a leadership position responsible for marketing, public relations, sales, and identity/brand management for GSP, its mainstage productions, educational programming, and special events.? Reporting to the Managing Director, the Director is a member of the company’s senior management team. The Director is expected to work closely with the Artistic Director and General Manager, and in partnership with the Director of Education and Director of Development.

This position currently supervises the Director of Digital Strategy and Communication and the Manager of Patron Services, with additional staff to come. The Director negotiates with and manages work-for-hire entities.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Create, implement, and measure comprehensive and strategic marketing, communications, public relations, and customer engagement plans to achieve budgeted revenue expectations and to enhance GSP’s image and position as a leading arts organization locally and beyond.
• Manage collateral production to support organizational marketing communications, public relations, and customer service activities, including publications, media relations, digital presence, as well as on-site/lobby signage.
• Adhere to budget for both sales income and marketing department expense objectives, including regular evaluation, forecasting, and reporting to the Managing Director and presenting at meetings of the Board of Trustees.
• Oversee GSP media relations activities, actively pursuing and coordinating media interest in the organization and cultivating key relationships with local and national outlets and journalists.
• Maintain GSP’s identity and brand, ensuring articulation of the organization’s desired image and position to all constituencies internally and externally.
• Participate actively in GSP’s season planning and strategic planning processes, including the creation and presentation of the annual budget.
• Recruit, train, manage, and mentor direct reports, maintaining a climate that attracts, retains, and motivates top-quality personnel.
• Represent GSP within New Brunswick and its culturally and economically diverse communities, cultivating partnerships with the city and stakeholders at Rutgers University.
• Lead and participate in additional projects and activities as assigned.

In addition to regular office hours, this position involves frequent night and evening commitments around productions and institutional events.

About New Brunswick

Located in Middlesex County, New Jersey, New Brunswick is the county seat of home of Rutgers University. The city is a regional commercial hub for Central New Jersey. New Brunswick is on the Northeast Corridor rail line, 27 miles southwest of Manhattan. The city is located on the southern banks of the Raritan River.

New Brunswick is known as both the Hub City and the Healthcare City. The corporate headquarters and production facilities of several global pharmaceutical companies are situated in the city, including Johnson & Johnson and Bristol Myers Squibb.

New Brunswick has evolved into a major center for the sciences, arts, and cultural activities, bringing gentrification to the city. The city is noted for its ethnic diversity.

Application Process

This position is available now. GSP is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the field are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status.

Sweibel Arts is conducting this search on behalf of GSP. Qualified individuals are invited to submit a resume and an expression of interest (letter, video, audio) that speaks to accomplishments, skills, and characteristics that distinguish the candidacy. Please, no phone calls.

Robert Sweibel

Sweibel Arts

350 Cabrini Blvd, 6J

New York, NY 10040

jobs@robertsweibel.com

A review of prospective candidates will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates of interest will be contacted. We regret that we’re unable to follow up with every candidate. No phone calls, please.

To learn more about the theatre, please visit GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org.

Attributes and Qualifications

The ideal Director of Marketing and Public Relations is an outgoing and confident leader and collaborator. They’re a natural strategic planner who activates the latest best practices and innovations in performing arts marketing. They rely heavily on data to drive decision-making. They have the capacity to contribute a marketing-driven perspective to programming conversations. They demonstrate a strong aesthetic sensibility, creative vision, and a genuine interest in trying new methods and approaches. The Director is a creative, inclusive, and appropriately risk-tolerant leader who inspires a dedicated staff that produces high-quality work in a complex, fast-paced environment. The Director cultivates a culture of hard work, mutual respect and ongoing learning. They are an enthusiastic advocate for the Central New Jersey arts community.

Additionally, the successful candidate will exhibit:

• Demonstrable commitment to cultivating and managing a diverse staff and creating a positive, collaborative, and productive culture.
• Intellectual curiosity, drive, and enthusiasm.
• A record of progressive accomplishment in marketing for a multi-million-dollar organization, preferably but not essentially in the live events industry.
• Dedication to long-term strategic planning and a demonstrated ability to implement effective marketing plans.
• Experience with subscription and single ticket campaigns in a mid-size performing arts environment and/or equivalent campaigns.
• Superlative communication skills, both in writing and interpersonally.
• Proficiency in all facets of current digital advancement trends.
• Superior analytical skills, including knowledge of statistical analysis, revenue projection, and pricing strategy.
• Experience with MS Word products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, others),
• Experience with CRM systems; Tessitura experience a plus.
• Maturity, steadiness, and a sense of humor.
• The capacity to add value and perspective to organizational culture.

Love of theatre and/or the performing arts is a must! So is a strong sense of humor.