Audience Education and Communications Manager Requisition

Job Highlights

The Audience Education and Communications Manager leverages their knowledge of opera to support the Director of Communications in strengthening Houston Grand Opera’s (HGO) brand and raising its visibility to ensure it is recognized as one of the most highly acclaimed opera companies in the United States. This person plays an important role in telling the story of the organization through the media, publications, public speaking, and public relations, as well as supporting all internal and external communications efforts of the Marketing department. The Audience Education and Communications Manager drives all internal and external education of all facets of the operas and productions programmed by HGO, to deepen the interest and passion of our attendees, donors, and partners. This person will work across the organization as the communications partner on a variety of strategic initiatives.

Join Us!

We are looking for talented, passionate, dedicated people who are eager to make contributions to our community and our mission.

Concerned you do not meet every single requirement listed? Apply! We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job if they don’t think they meet 100% of the requirements. At HGO, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. So, if you’re excited about this position but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply! You may be just the right candidate for this position or another role at HGO.

About the Houston Grand Opera

The mission of HGO is to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera. We do so by creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice. HGO has received a Tony Award, two Grammy Awards, and three Emmy Awards – we are the only opera company in the world to win all three honors.

Our strategic focus is two-fold: creating profoundly enriching experiences for our diverse audiences and clearly defining and positively promoting the HGO brand.

We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all company members. We believe every team member enriches our diversity by exposing a broad range of ways to understand and engage our community and discover, design, and deliver enriching experiences.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a new and exciting position. We are committed to offering a compensation package that will fairly reflect the final candidate’s experience, knowledge, and skills. We offer robust benefits to full-time employees, including:

• Comprehensive and affordable health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a high-deductible healthcare plan with an employer-funded health savings account; a flexible savings account; an employee assistance program; and employer-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off including vacation, wellness, parental leave, and scheduled and flexible holidays
• 403b retirement plan with employer match
• Flexible work schedule
• Professional development fund and opportunities
• Discounted parking in the Theater District garage and nearby lots plus easy access to Metro transportation
• Free tickets to our mainstage and community productions and events

Key Responsibilities

• Serve cross-departmental role of subject matter expert on HGO’s repertoire providing insights on each production and all creative forces involved.
• Develop curriculum, presentations, and in-person deliverables for programs intended to educate and deeply engage audiences, including Opera Unwrapped, Opera Insights, in-venue exhibits, etc.
• Ensure internal and external parties (PR firm, creative agency) are well-versed in HGO programming by developing and executing custom learning sessions and facilitating conversations with directors, the Artistic department, etc.
• Collaborate with staff archivists to organize and maintain files that include resources and research needed to execute educational programs and serve as an information hub for employees throughout the season.
• Develop open communication and collaboration with the Artistic and Production teams to ensure an in-depth understanding of each opera and production. Attend rehearsals, meetings, and operas as required.
• Develop and source synopses and “quick start guides” for operas in each mainstage season.
• Collaborate with the Audiences department to develop compelling, accurate, and opera-minded marketing materials, including brainstorming creative concepts, advising on marketing strategies, developing copy, etc.
• Support the Director of Communications with copywriting, copyediting, and proofreading cross-organization copy, particularly from the lens of artistic accuracy.
• Participate in the ideation and development of original content intended to engage our audiences including original articles, speeches, promotional copy, blogs, etc.
• Support efforts to maintain to date catalogue of biographies and headshots for all cast, creatives, creators, etc., and ensure presentation on the website and in publications is accurate.
• Assist the Director of Communication in developing narratives and positive brand stories for media and public relations outreach. Participate in planning sessions and interact with media and PR agencies as required.
• Play an integral role in utilizing new media like social media platforms, YouTube, and Apple Music Classical to engage audiences with an emphasis on maximizing brand enhancement and reach (playlists, podcasts, pitching collaborations, developing content).

Qualifications

Must have 3-5 years of experience; a bachelor’s degree in dramaturgy, arts management, or arts administration is a plus. Dedicated writing experience is required, writing samples will be requested. Night and weekend hours are required.

Other Skills and Abilities

Must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues, board members, and a variety of community constituents. Must be a highly motivated self-starter with excellent time-management skills, superior organizational and communication skills, and the ability to independently solve problems. High priority to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. The successful candidate should have a collaborative spirit, provide great attention to detail in all aspects of the job, and remain calm and responsive in dealing with others.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift/or move up to 30 pounds.

Equal Opportunity

Houston Grand Opera is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HGO are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. HGO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. HGO encourages applicants of all ages.

Houston Grand Opera