Director of Communications and Patron Engagement

About us

Cabrillo Festival’s mission is to “transform the orchestral experience for artists and audiences by building a vibrant community dedicated to the creation and performance of profound, relevant, and innovative music.” Founded in a coffeeshop in Aptos, CA in 1963, the Festival presents two full weeks of concerts and events at the Civic Auditorium in Downtown Santa Cruz. With a small but mighty year-round staff of four, dozens of seasonal staff, and dedicated board of directors, the Festival is embraced by the local community, who offer host housing to our core orchestra musicians coming from across the nation to perform the work of living composers each summer, under the guidance of music director and conductor Cristian Măcelaru. The Festival is actively working to advance our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by examining our practices and policies, and addressing bias across individual and institutional levels.

Job Summary: Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music is seeking a full-time, year-round Director of Communications and Patron Engagement (DCPE) to join the Cabrillo Festival team at an exciting and pivotal time—this summer we returned to live, in-person concerts after two seasons of online-only events! A newly developed position, the DCPE assumes key responsibilities related to communications strategy, website, marketing and editorial publications project management, Subscriber stewardship and ticket sales, special events and mid-level donor relations. If you are enthusiastic about building and retaining a community of committed arts audiences and supporters, then this is the right job for you! We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and will consider any combination of work and life experience that aligns with the position’s responsibilities.

Hours/work schedule: The DCPE will maintain a 40-hour week, offering a flexible remote work schedule (minimum three days per week in our downtown Santa Cruz offices are required). When the Festival takes up residence at the Civic in late July through mid-August, hours may shift to accommodate events. Some off-season night and weekend participation is also required, including attendance at monthly Festival board meetings and occasional off-season special events.

Compensation: The DCPE annual salary is $65K-$75K, depending on experience. A competitive benefits package includes medical, dental, retirement, and transportation benefits (paid lot parking and a free Metro bus pass through the City of Santa Cruz), and professional development opportunities.

Primary Responsibilities:

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLICATIONS:

• Oversee brand development and ensure implementation across all channels.
• Create and implement annual marketing campaigns and oversee budget.
• Negotiate agreements with media sponsors and pursue new partnerships.
• Oversee collateral production, managing graphic designers and vendors.
• Project manage season Program Guide, including editorial and advertising.
• Manage web developers and web design.
• Conceptualize new audio/visual content and oversee shoots, editing, and production.
• Write, design, and edit targeted eblast communications.
• Supervise social media staff (Operations Associate) re: post content, channel monitoring, promo trades, follower communications, metrics analysis and strategy revision.
• Supervise and support contracted publicist on pitch strategy; write and edit in-house press releases.
• Manage booking, design, and production of all site-specific marketing pieces and sponsor recognition (i.e. lobby signage and street banner installation).
• Ensure assets and records are maintained and accessible to all staff.

TICKET SALES/CUSTOMER SERVICE:

• Collaborate with Civic Box Office to create season ticket sales plan and logistics.
• Oversee tickets sales plan implementation, monitor sales, and supervise Box Office staff.
• Steward Subscriber and VIP patron relations and recognition.
• Interface with house management and Civic Staff to ensure patron safety and comfort.
• Create and implement alternative ticket sales processes and promotions as needed.

DONOR ENGAGEMENT/DEVELOPMENT:

• Oversee donor communications, including annual Fund Drive campaigns.
• Steward mid-level individual donors ($500-$1999) and support ED and volunteer fundraisers in upper-level donor ($2000 ) prospecting, cultivation, and retention.
• Research new and steward existing corporate donor relationships.
• Empower Board-led special initiatives (auctions, raffles, campaigns, etc.)

SPECIAL EVENTS:

• Oversee special event concepts, planning, and logistics.
• Supervise seasonal hospitality staff and volunteers as needed.
• Serve as liaison with external project and community partners.

STRATEGY/ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY:

• Play a key role in strategic and scenario planning sessions.
• Track key data in Dashboard document, analyzing trends in ticket sales, donations, audience engagement, geographic reach, etc.
• Project manage periodic infrastructure upgrades and process design including file management workflows and protocols, website redesign, etc.
• Stay abreast of relevant trends and techniques including current tech tools, procedural best practices, and legal compliance.
• Join entire organization in maintaining a commitment to DEIB in all activities.
• Serve as thought partner and strategic advisor to Executive Director.

Job Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, or 5 years of equivalent related work experience.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Required

• 3 years non-profit communications/marketing, ticket sales, and/or fundraising experience.
• Solid understanding of web and graphic design principles, publication layout and printing processes, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Wordpress.
• Special events experience.
• Proven success in negotiating agreements with service providers.
• Proven success with maintaining positive customer relationships.
• Advanced project management skills, including managing budgets.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal form.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, email, internet, and file management in a Mac environment.
• Comfortable working collaboratively in the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc)
• Comfortable adapting to new technology.
• A friendly, team-oriented nature with a hard-working, “can-do” spirit.
• Sound judgment and diplomacy, maintaining a respectful demeanor when navigating contentious situations.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Driver’s license and own reliable automobile.

Preferred, but not required

• Love and knowledge of performing arts.
• Established relationships with local media and service providers.
• Sales and customer services experience.
• Familiarity with relational databases/CRMs.
• Familiarity with project management software (Monday.com, Asana, etc.)
• Ability to lift at least 40 lbs.

Work Environment:

The Director of Communications and Patron Engagement performs work in a variety of venues, including administrative offices, meeting spaces, and theaters. Valid California driver’s license and the ability and willingness to run errands required; energy, availability, and willingness to work evenings, odd hours, and weekends on the occasion of special events, and full time before and during the Festival period of mid-July to mid-August.

Application Process:

Resume and cover letter are required for consideration. In your cover letter, we will be looking to hear about your experience and how it relates to this job description. We are also interested to learn what aspects of your personality make you a great team member, and what makes you excited to work for Cabrillo Festival! Please apply on our website: https://cabrillomusic.org/about-us/job-opportunity/. Review of candidate materials begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
Covid-19 public health and safety guidelines will be followed, including requiring proof of full vaccination for audiences, staff, and artists. Masking will be required indoors at all times. Read full Covid Policy: https://cabrillomusic.org/covid-policy/

Application Question(s):

• We require a cover letter. Please include in same document as your resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Santa Cruz, CA 95060