Communications Director

Organization: New Music USA (website: www.newmusicusa.org)

Job Title: Communications Director

Classification: Full Time

Reports to: President & CEO

Supervises: Digital Associate, Contractors (for website design and PR)

Salary: $80-90k dependent upon experience; 100% employer-paid health insurance

Location: We are prioritizing candidates based in New York where we have a hybrid remote/office working policy. We will consider exceptional candidates based in other US locations.

Summary: New Music USA is seeking an exceptional Communications Director who will join our senior team as we continue to build out our programs and services across the US. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative and collaborative leader to strengthen cross-organizational planning, build on our current assets including content strategy for NewMusicBox; and grow our profile as a national resource for new music in all its forms.

Who we are: New Music USA supports the sounds of tomorrow by nurturing the creation, performance, and enjoyment of new music in the US and beyond. We empower and connect pioneering music makers working in any genre or style with each other, with organizations, and with audiences. We do this by providing funding through grantmaking; fostering new connections through our programs; deepening knowledge through our online magazine NewMusicBox, and by amplifying the extraordinary work of our diverse music community. We are a flexible and responsive national resource which evolves in response to our community’s needs. We envision a thriving and equitable ecosystem for new music throughout the United States.

Key Responsibilities

The Communications Director will develop and implement a comprehensive and imaginative communications strategy for New Music USA, promoting key messages and activities to advance the organization’s mission and strategic goals.

This new post will introduce and lead an integrated approach to planning and delivering New Music USA’s communications, working across the organization, with our development, grantmaking, and editorial staff to strengthen external and internal communications. This includes clear strategies for the marketing of funding opportunities and events, development of our website, brand consistency and social media communications. Digital strategy will be key, including the development of our online magazine, and collaboration with our community to regularly share information that supports, informs and celebrates the creators and organizations we are here to help.

This postholder will also contribute to New Music USA’s success by working closely with our Development Director on our annual campaign, publications, events, and as a board liaison.

Specific roles and responsibilities include:

Strategy Design

• Designs, develops, and leads the planning and implementation of communication and digital marketing strategy to promote, enhance, and define the organization’s mission, values, core messages, program activities, and development goals

• Leads New Music USA’s brand strategy to achieve a cohesive presence across print, social media platforms, website, email, and more

• Develops and oversees an integrated and inspiring digital strategy, including the promotion of existing and new platforms such as podcasts and media partnerships

Strategy Execution

• Leads planning and delivery of all communications activities, defining effective and impactful ways of working with colleagues across different New Music USA programs

• Responsible for consistency in design, branding, and tone of digital and printed materials across all New Music USA communications

• Leads New Music USA’s online presence and social media engagement, including oversight of website and digital communications with the artistic community, grantees, partners, stakeholders, and other target groups

• Manages website, including oversight of content updates, and acts as the point person for website contractors & staff

• Increases distribution of online resources, including NewMusicBox content

• Supervises regular email communication, including monthly newsletters and campaigns

• Manages Communications budget

• Supervises Digital Associate

Public Relations and Development

• Crafts public information materials, such as press releases, our annual impact report, fact sheets, op-eds, and decks

• Provides copy editing support, as needed

• Coordinates press releases and announcements internally and externally, including regular work with program partners and participants

• Supports New Music USA’s fundraising and events strategies, annual campaigns, publications, strategies for stakeholder mailings and online fundraising drives

• Leads relationship with and manages contracts with PR consultants (when finances permit)

• As time allows, develops relationships with local, national, and international media, shaping New Music USA messaging, managing media requests, and actively seeking coverage, independently or with a contracted PR company

Organization Development

• Leads internal communications, increasing the organization’s focus on collaborative, forward planning

• Plays active role in senior leadership team

• Works with the Digital Associate to monitor and analyze data and communicate progress on a regular basis

• Liaises regularly with Board, Program, and Advisory Councils to ensure wide sharing of information on current New Music USA activities and recipients, engaging all stakeholders as ambassadors

• Ensures that communications with internal and external stakeholders reflect New Music USA’s core values and commitment to equity and inclusion

Required Skills, Experience

• Minimum 7 years’ experience and outstanding track record in managing communications for a music/arts/non-profit organization

• Demonstrates strong organizational and leadership skills with the ability to lead and motivate teams, prioritize tasks, meet multiple deadlines, take the initiative, and work independently

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills

• Passion for brand strategy and management, including ability to inspire and guide others in embracing an organization’s brand and profile building

• Collaborative team player; effectively leads staff teams

• Digital-first storyteller who can craft messages for all platforms and switch seamlessly between channels

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with experience of supporting development and programmatic goals

• Strong knowledge of relevant software packages including WordPress, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Canva, Mailchimp, Co-schedule/Hootsuite and Google Analytics.

Additional Helpful Experience

• Strong knowledge of web design

• Experience working in editorial, especially in the music space

• Understanding of nonprofits and philanthropy

• Experience in navigating and contributing to organizational change

• Experience in events management

Personal Attributes and Competencies

• Ability to lead an organization-wide plan while delivering and delegating day-to-day tasks

• Passionate about music and the mission of New Music USA

• Positive, enthusiastic, and persuasive team player

• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated

• Enjoys digital communications and out-of-the-box thinking

• Contributes creative thinking to special projects and new initiatives

• Motivated to network socially & build relationships, including to support New Music USA’s communications and development strategy

• Thrives under pressure while carrying out tasks with accuracy and efficiency

• Professional, courteous manner, high energy, and an eager, positive attitude

• Strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and belief in our values of imagination, connectivity, empowerment, inclusivity, and trust.

Compensation: New Music USA is offering a competitive salary for a non-profit organization of our size ($80-$90k) and a generous benefits package, including 100 percent employer-paid health insurance, dental insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave.

Hiring Process: Interested applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter explaining your interest and suitability for this role. Please combine your cover letter and resume into a single PDF file and upload it to our application portal here: https://newmusicusa.org/who-we…

Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 5, 2023

We will review applications as we receive them. We will not consider applications without a cover letter.

New Music USA is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the music community it serves. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age. We strongly encourage applications from BIPOC candidates. We envision a thriving and equitable ecosystem for new music across the United States. We believe that music can be a change agent for a more just and balanced world. We value inclusivity, empowerment and trust and we are embedding these values in our organizational culture. Read our Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism action plan here: https://newmusicusa.org/new-mu…