BRAND DIRECTOR

Ars Nova seeks a momentum builder, outside-the-box thinker, and leader to join as Brand Director. The Brand Director serves as a key member of the theater’s management team, helping shape Ars Nova’s next chapter and driving big picture brand positioning, audience development and public communications strategy, alongside efforts to meet the organization’s sales goals for Off-Broadway productions and artist discovery/development programming and events. 

The Brand Director leads Ars Nova’s marketing and communications efforts with intentionality to reach digitally native audiences and connect them with cutting-edge work from early-career artists. They will take from what is still working from the traditional theater marketing playbook and boldly build beyond it, developing new media and content strategies that respond to contemporary audience behaviors and create a dynamic brand-building toolkit for a new era of mass communication. Through bold storytelling, strategic outreach, and community-building, the Director deepens engagement and transforms the Ars Nova curious into first-time attendees, and eventually into lifelong supporters.

The role will report to the Managing Director and will oversee a part-time Marketing Assistant/Content Creator, and any freelance/contracted support engaged to support team goals including publicists, graphic designers, etc. The position will also collaborate closely with the Co-Artistic Directors to ensure cohesion between the art on their stages and how it is publicly positioned to support both the institution and creators.

ABOUT ARS NOVA
Ars Nova exists to discover, develop and launch singular theater, comedy and music artists who are in the early stages of their careers. They are the stomping ground and launching pad for visionary and adventurous artists to create new work. They strive to build the next generation of audiences for live entertainment by prioritizing a zeitgeist-forward aesthetic and marrying it with accessible ticket prices. They are committed to creating a collaborative and innovative environment that champions diverse voices and groundbreaking new work. 

Some of their recent highly recognized work includes: the NY Times’, NYMag, and New Yorker “Best of 2022” Oratorio for Living Things; the Lortel Award-winning “Outstanding Musicals” (pray), Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future and KPOP, which transferred to Broadway in 2022; and the Tony Award-winning smash-hit Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.

Ars Nova recognizes both that it is a predominantly white institution and that their institutional practices have historically led to the exclusion of people of the Global Majority from their team. They are actively working to become a more diverse, anti-racist, inclusive organization. They hope candidates of the Global Majority will accept their invitation to apply.

KEY PURPOSE OF POSITION AND GOALS
The Brand Director acts as the CEO of Ars Nova’s brand identity, communications, and sales strategy, and is directly responsible for marketing, public relations, ticket sales, social media presence and audience engagement and acquisition. 

Specifically, you will:

• Elevate the Ars Nova brand within the conscious mind of the city and the industry, and ensure that it is always reaching the next generation of New Yorkers;
• Create and implement an institutional marketing and communications plan in support of Ars Nova’s strategic goals;
• Lead the creation of a comprehensive audience development plan to grow and diversify audiences and build brand loyalty as a trusted arbiter of what’s next;
• Drive sales strategy for Off-Broadway productions in ways that align with Ars Nova’s creative values, connecting artists with the audiences they are making work for;
• Cultivate a risk-taking work environment that enables innovation and growth in new technology and marketing practices;
• Ensure Ars Nova’s marketing and communications reflect a commitment to equity, inclusion, and representation, both in voice and audience engagement, all while fostering an inclusive environment for artists and audiences alike;
• Serve as a member of Ars Nova’s collaborative leadership team, guiding initiatives, building consensus and harnessing the expertise of constituents across the organization.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND COMPETENCIES
The responsibilities, competencies and expectations outlined below are representative and may shift as needed to best align with organizational priorities.

Developing and executing a consistent articulation of Ars Nova’s desired image and position as an industry-leading, high-quality innovator and aspirational destination for artists throughout the NYC community, the theater world and beyond to all constituents, both internal and external.

Strategizing, creating, managing and executing targeted marketing plans for all programs and initiatives, including:

• Planning, managing and executing market research, media planning, market segmentation, targeting and pricing strategies;
• Set, track, and analyse revenue projections and other KPIs to drive marketing and sales strategies to maximize revenue;
• Directing the development of all visual assets and print collateral;
• Along with outside publicity support, generate ideas to garner both traditional and digital-first media attention for Ars Nova and our artists.

Facilitate the preservation and evolution of Ars Nova’s distinct institutional voice for all communication channels across the organization to promote brand identity and awareness.

Build and manage a strategic, robust social media plan that goes beyond event promotion to develop ongoing campaigns and original content, reflecting Ars Nova’s community, aesthetic, and values. 

Oversee Ars Nova’s web presence including website management, email communications to ensure a cohesive and dynamic user-friendly experience.

Develop and oversee integrated digital content strategies that connect Ars Nova’s social media presence with our digital platform, Supra. Collaborate closely with Artistic and Producing teams to find innovative ways these channels can amplify one another, maximizing visibility, community engagement, and audience reach. 

Approve all marketing materials including posters, season brochures, giveaways, digital assets, and fundraising campaign assets, ensuring design and messaging are aligned with Ars Nova’s brand and strategic goals.

Drive the content calendar to maintain consistent, effective messaging across social media, email, and other forms of communication.

Anticipate and proactively address communications and marketing challenges, both internal and external. Take full ownership to adjust plans, lead problem-solving conversations with colleagues, and ensure timely, high-quality delivery of goals despite setbacks.

AN EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY:
This is an exempt, full-time position with a starting annual salary range in Level 2 of our Fair Pay Guidelines, between $82,500 and $85,500 commensurate with experience. Ars Nova aims to compensate fairly and competitively within the not-for-profit entertainment industry, and on a transparent level salary system within the organization. Our most recent Fair Pay Guidelines are available HERE. Benefits include health, dental and group term life insurance; an open paid time off policy; an opt-in 401(k) retirement savings plan after one year with an employer match up to 3.5%; FSA; vision insurance; long-term disability insurance; additional coverage options including pet insurance; TransitChek plans; and more.

Ars Nova is based in NYC, and this position will require regular onsite, in-person activity (including some evenings, weekends and holidays), so the applicant should intend to reside in the greater NYC area. This position is primarily based out of Ars Nova’s building at 511 West 54th Street. Hybrid work is possible to some extent, depending on the type of role and programming schedule and can be discussed during the interview process.

Requirements

ABOUT YOU:
- You have a passion for theater, for artists of all stripes, and love connecting communities to each other and to live entertainment;
- You are relentlessly curious about brand-building, audience development, and the attention economy in 2025 and beyond–and are driven to innovate and try new things, question the status quo and engage in solution-oriented systems-thinking;
- You are a collaborative thinker with a sharp eye for visual storytelling and brand aesthetics, who can lead a creative brainstorm, spot the boldest idea, and guide the right collaborators toward a cohesive vision that builds on Ars Nova’s distinct identity.
- You know how to turn bold ideas into actionable plans, keeping creative integrity intact while hitting deadlines and goals with a small, nimble team.
- You optimize human and financial resources in keeping with core values, and monitor and forecast program income and expenses with well-reasoned accuracy;
- You share a commitment to anti-racism and creating and maintaining an inclusive environment, are excited about joining efforts to make Ars Nova a more just and equitable place to work and make work, and have the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds;
- You thrive in all-out, go-big-or-go-home environments, know how to deliver with limited resources, and can move quickly to adjust to changing needs and priorities.

BONUS IF:
- You have 4+ years training and/or experience in brand marketing for an arts, creative, or forward-thinking organization (not-for-profit experience a plus);
- Your aesthetic/taste aligns with the brand;
- You demonstrate knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (or similar design software) and
social media platforms;
- You have experience with Asana, or a similar project management software;
- You bring a robust background in writing, editing and creative direction;
- You have a sophisticated understanding of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression principles
and practices;
- You have experience managing and leading teams (an interest in mentorship and staff
professional development a plus).

They know there are candidates who may not have all of the qualifications listed above but possess intuitive knowledge or other transferable skills. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell them about yourself.

Application Instructions

Please submit a resume and a personal statement. Ditch the “cover letter” and speak from the heart about what excites you about this job opportunity. While they ask that resumes be submitted in written form, they invite applicants to submit their personal statement via a written piece, audio or video recording – whatever form best supports your self-expression.

APPLY HERE:
https://form.asana.com/?k=3f VSwHZJyU5tm13Fy1rXww&d=75190075101323

HIRING PROCESS:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through August 12, 2025. Selected candidates will have a first round video interview with Ars Nova’s Managing Director and/or Chief of Staff. Second Round Interviews will be in-person, and will also include one or both of the Co-Artistic Directors. Finalists will meet with a staff panel, and will be asked to complete a project and present their work. References will then be checked and an offer is expected to be made in early September, with a start date soon thereafter.