Public Relations Manager

TN Performing Arts Center

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Job Summary

The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) values staff diversity and actively encourages people from a variety of backgrounds with different experiences, perspectives, skills, and stories to apply in order to advance our nonprofit mission and enrich our organizational culture. All staff will work with others throughout the organization to implement and exemplify policies as part of TPAC’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, access, and equity. TPAC is a nonprofit performing arts organization and cultural anchor providing enriching arts experiences for all ages, empowering lifelong arts education programs, artistic expression reflective of our community, arts connections that support the local economy, and sustainable support for professional resident companies and local artists.

OBJECTIVE

The Public Relations Manager increases public awareness and ticket sales for TPAC programming, including but not limited to a wide variety of dance, dramatic theatre, and family presentations. Managing a mix of earned media coverage, media relations, general publicity, special events, partnerships, and community engagement, this position supports an integrated marketing approach for increasing ticket sales, developing engaging stories, brand journalism, and fostering a positive perception of the organization and its mission.

Job Responsibilities

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a database of valuable media contacts and community partners to cultivate publicity and earn media coverage for TPAC and its programming, dedicating time to developing new relationships.
• Coordinate within the department and with external press representatives to build and implement strategic public relations and earned media plans for TPAC programming, including but not limited to dance, dramatic theatre, and family programming. This position may also support the Director of Communications on activities related to touring Broadway as assigned.
• Serve as a conduit for media appearance requests for TPAC staff and touring artists to support in-town earned media and audience engagement events.
• Increase public awareness and understanding of TPAC’s commitment to Inclusive Arts, arts education programs, community engagement events, and initiatives for Diversity, Inclusion, Access, and Equity (DIAE) through earned media coverage, institutional content, and publications as available.
• Assist with the creation of additional written and digital content for TPAC.ORG, social media channels, production programs (“playbills”), institutional publications, and on-campus digital platforms.
• Assist with institutional communications and community engagement efforts that support strategic initiatives around TPAC’s new performance home.
• Apply strong written communication skills toward creating and pitching unique promotional stories and content for traditional and online media.
• Work with the Director of Communications and other departments to use the TPAC campus for publicity and earned media coverage opportunities effectively and efficiently, supporting TPAC’s relevance as a cultural pioneer.
• Coordinate media tickets for TPAC presentations, attending performances as needed to ensure relationship building.
• Maintain tracking, benchmarking, and archiving of earned media coverage and create quarterly reports to communicate the value of earned media efforts.
• The responsibilities listed above are not all-inclusive. Other related duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Required: 

Bachelor’s degree with 2-3 years of related experience and/or training.

Strong written and verbal communication skills with an understanding of what determines news value and how media outlets plan coverage.

Experience in media relations, developing media contacts, and building media plans.

Ability to multitask, including the handling of plans for more than one event or topic at a time.

Passion for the performing arts and a belief in the importance of arts education and arts access.

Preferred: 

Familiarity with AP Style.

Understanding of the contemporary media landscape, including the integrated relationships between traditional media, social media, influencers, and emerging platforms.

Comfort in responding to media, including serving as on-camera spokesperson as needed.

Encouraged: Bilingual capability.

SOFTWARE AND SERVICES USED

Microsoft Office Suite, Cision, TV Eyes, Tessitura, VenueOps, Asana, Canva, and Zoom.

FREQUENT FUNCTIONS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Frequent Functions: 

• Working virtually and in an office environment.
• Comfort with navigating backstage areas, including dressing rooms and various theater settings, Nights and weekends required for opening nights, on-sales, and other special events.
• Off-site media relations including escorting touring talent to television, radio, and new media appearances.

Occasional Functions: 

• Local off-site travel to engage media partners and community members.
•  Out-of-state travel may be required.
• Lifting 30 pounds or less.

TPAC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All aspects of the employment process will be merit-based and

applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status,

age, disability, national or ethnic origin, military service status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics.

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Please visit our website and apply through our career portal:

Careers at TPAC

Details

• Date Posted: September 27, 2023
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Communications / Marketing / PR
• Service Area: Arts / Culture