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National Opera Center

Public Relations Director (Classical)

National Opera Center, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022


The Director of Public Relations (Classical) is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the awareness, public image, and reputation of the Kennedy Center and its two resident artistic affiliates—the

National Symphony Orchestra

(NSO), helmed by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda and Executive Director Jean Davidson, and

Washington National Opera

(WNO), led by Artistic Director Francesca Zambello and General Director Timothy O’Leary—alongside distinctive music series including the Fortas Chamber Music Series (Artistic Director Jennifer Koh) and Renée Fleming VOICES. The Director’s primary focus is to support the artistic vision of the above by helping to craft key messages and storylines, actively pursuing and delivering coverage and visibility through local, national, and international media placements, new media, self-generated content and storytelling, and by influencing a range of platforms including the Center’s social media and website. By deepening existing relationships with arts journalists and developing new connections to entice new writers, editors, and producers to cover the NSO and WNO, he/she/they will expand feature coverage nationally and globally. In an increasingly changing media landscape, the public relations team seeks to leverage new opportunities through multiple, non-traditional media channels and creatively spur interest among new, diverse audiences in symphonic, operatic, and chamber music repertoire and experiences. This role will also work in close coordination with the Center’s marketing department to execute strategies that support seasonal marketing and on-sale initiatives to build audiences and achieve earned revenue goals.

Apply now, read the job details by scrolling down Double check you have the necessary skills before sending an application.The Director is a frontline representative of the Public Relations team and will help to manage the day-to-day strategy and media operations of a fast-paced PR office, directing artistic and program announcements, leveraging publicity opportunities, driving media cultivation, and determining positioning of institutional news and issues related to the full range of its classical music activities and related music education and community engagement projects. Reporting to the VP of Public Relations, this position will also work closely and proactively with her and other senior/executive leadership, providing strategic input and guidance as it relates to all variety of communications, including crisis communications. This position regularly collaborates with external artistic partners, vendors, and publicists/managers to coordinate publicity efforts.The Director will supervise a team of two direct reports: a senior press representative and a PR coordinator. Additionally, as part of the execution of strategic communications campaigns throughout the season for the NSO and WNO, this role will craft and lead internal communications to ensure broad awareness and alignment throughout the NSO, WNO, and the Center and among its key stakeholders.Digital ProgramsThis position also has broader oversight for year-round production of digital program content and/or, where applicable, custom printed programs, for all classical programs at the Kennedy Center as well as for off-site residencies and appearances, including texts and translations of vocal works. The Director will supervise the work and production schedule of the senior press representative and coordinator on the Classical PR team, together striving to consistently produce and deliver a high-quality, accurate custom publication (digital or print) for Kennedy Center audiences. The Director will be responsible for editing program content on a weekly basis and work closely with NSO, WNO, Fortas, and VOICES programmers and artistic leadership as necessary to meet the specific needs of their wide range of programs and audiences. The Director will play a critical role in the Center’s continued efforts to evolve and innovate the new digital program model.**A leader in the industry, the Kennedy Center first and formally introduced digital programs for a majority of its programs and events in September 2021 as a way to reduce the institution’s carbon footprint and preserve the environment. The shift to digital program content allows the Center to save 250 tons of paper annually and provide greater accessibility to all audiences.

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