The Director of Marketing is responsible for identifying and activating comprehensive strategies based on the institutional goals established by the organization’s multi-year strategic plan.
He/she is responsible for meeting or exceeding earned revenue goals, institutional press and external relations in coordination with an out-of-house Public Relations/Press and Media agency, supervising customer and box office services, identifying and meeting the marketing needs of the education programs generated by the Kansas City Ballet School as well as its Community Education activities.
Working closely and proactively with other senior staff/department heads, the Director of Marketing participates as part of the senior management team reporting directly to the Executive Director. The Director of Marketing is responsible for Kansas City Ballet’s overall brand continuity, audience development through marketing, public relations and promotional activities and programs.
Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1. Plan and implement all ticket sales campaigns including season ticket sales, sales of Kansas City Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker (Note: in 2015, a completely new Nutcracker production will be introduced to the community), single ticket sales campaigns and all other productions. Design and direct ticket pricing strategies that will develop long term audience growth, packaging strategies and non-cash sponsorship strategies in coordination with the Development Department.
2. Design, implement and facilitate annual and long term marketing plans for Kansas City Ballet. Support and facilitate development and implementation of Kansas City Ballet School, Development Department and Community Outreach marketing plans as needed.
3. Plan and administer the Ballet’s annual marketing operations budget; support development of Long Range Strategic marketing budgets.
4. Track, report and act on sales trends and data including dynamic pricing policies.
5. Organize and implement audience cultivation relations including
a. Audience development activities
b. Special events
c. Audience satisfaction surveys
6. Supervise KCB’s RFP protocol process including soliciting RFP’s from desirable prospective vendors and media partners; oversee buying process. Develop and direct printed material campaigns for all KCB purposes, including but not limited to brochures, season announcements, postcards and other direct mail, newspaper advertisements, billboards, and electronic and social media.
7. Oversee communications activities through communications/public relations coordinator and PR consultant including external and internal communications and systems, public relations efforts and external vendors and consultants.
8. Administer marketing database which includes audience and prospect information, mailing list applications, etc. Kansas City Ballet employs the Tessitura software as a joint venture with the Lyric Opera, Kansas City Symphony and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
9. Oversee KCB’s electronic marketing efforts including supervision of web site design, maintenance and email marketing and keep abreast with all contemporary social media opportunities.
10. Supervise Associate Marketing Director, Marketing Manager, Box Office Manager, Publicist, Telemarketing Manager, Electronic Media Coordinator. Make staffing and hiring decisions within marketing department.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: College degree required. Concentration in Marketing, Business Advertising or Communications preferred with at least five years as a marketing director or associate marketing director preferred. Strong leadership and consensus building skills; marketing management and strategic planning experience; a proven track record in developing and administering a successful marketing program.
Required Skills: The successful candidate will be a highly organized self-starter; someone able to work well with personnel at all levels in the organization as well as with donors, volunteers and other arts professionals. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Windows 7 based computer applications is essential; familiarity with Tessitura audience and development software is a high value asset.
Special Skills: Background in not-for-profit performing arts or arts marketing is a definite plus; a sophisticated understanding of the challenges and realities of programming a multi-faceted season of dance ranging from the traditional full length narrative story ballets to mixed repertoire to the introduction of new work to audiences and a rational, cost effective clearly stated point of view on how to approach that challenge will give a candidate a significant competitive advantage.
Beginning in 2016-17, a one week season of performances will be added to the annual offerings in order to provide more opportunity for mixed repertory to be presented. The new second company of Kansas City Ballet, KCB II, will soon establish a busy schedule of performances around the community which, when required, will be enhanced by the addition of dancers from our Student Trainee group.
Kansas City Ballet has a deep commitment to programming in the community for schools and in community centers. Our Reach Out and Dance (ROAD) program, originally fashioned after the concepts designed by Jacques D’Amboise’s National Dance Institute, are currently being held for 4th graders in 13 schools throughout the region.
Financial Profile: Kansas City Ballet is in excellent financial health. With a $7 million operating budget, the company has no long term debt, has a cash reserve equaling 18% of its budget, has an endowment in excess of $8 million, and has completely paid for its new home at the Bolender Center.
COMPENSATION & APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Compensation will be competitive for this position. Other benefits include:
• Paid vacation
• Health and Disability insurance (employer pays 85% of premium)
• Dental program (Employee paid)
• 403(b) retirement program with employer match
• Flexible Spending Account
• Free dance classes for immediate family (some exclusions)
• Tickets to all Ballet performances as available
Interested qualified candidates are invited to submit resume, salary history, names and contact information for a minimum of three references and a brief, well composed cover letter describing interest, relevant qualifications and experience to Mary Allen, Assistant to the Executive Director, Kansas City Ballet, Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity, 500 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108 Attention: Marketing Director Search. Or, by e-mail (preferred method):
Mary Allen
mallen@kcballet.org
Kansas City Ballet is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to diversity and inclusion throughout our organization.