Vice President of Marketing & Sales

Vice President of Marketing & Sales
Position Profile

About the Opportunity

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance is seeking a dynamic and experienced arts marketing leader to join the high-performing executive team of one of Chicago’s finest culture institutions as their new VP of Marketing and Sales. This is a newly reinstated position, developed as part of a larger strategic reorganization at the Harris Theater, wherein the Marketing and Programming teams are being divided between two VPs after being combined for the past several years. This position will lead the newly reconfigured Marketing and Sales team through this period of transition and catalyze new operations and workflows, while still working closely with the Programming team.

Experience in managing change is essential in this role and a history of managing complex marketing teams is strongly desired. The ideal candidate values collaboration, artistic integrity, an organizational culture of belonging and respect, and brings these values into their day-to-day work.

A track record of marketing for both presenting and producing organizations is preferred, as is experience working with Resident Companies, as the Harris is currently home to eighteen resident companies. The VP of Marketing and Sales is responsible for an average annual revenue goal of $1.2 million including ticket sales/fees (total annual operating budget for the organization is $8-9.5 million) and leads a team of five full time staff (three direct reports), plus contractors (design, digital, PR), interns, and part time ticket office staff.

This is a full-time, hybrid onsite position with flexibility for agreed-upon remote work. Some nights and weekends are required due to performances and events, but the Harris values work/life balance and supports flex scheduling and remote work as needed.

About Harris Theater for Music and Dance

The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance is Chicago’s primary residence for music and dance, connecting diverse audiences with outstanding artists from across the city, the nation, and the world. Opened in November 2003 in Millennium Park, the Theater was the first multi-use performance venue built in downtown Chicago since 1929, and fulfilled the city’s need for a shared home for Chicago’s vibrant performing arts organizations.

Today, the Harris features the most diverse arts and culture offerings of any venue in the city, and is a distinctive model for artistic quality, collaboration, and making the performing arts relevant and accessible to the widest possible audience. The Harris Theater strives every day to serve its unique mission to support the local Resident Companies, to present a diversity of world-class programming through our Harris Theater Presents series, and by working to connect artists performing on the Harris stage to communities and audiences across Chicago, greater Cook County and beyond.

Requirements

Job Description

Organizational Management:
• Oversees departmental budget and priorities including ticket sales and handling fee revenue ($1.2m), departmental expenses across Marketing and Ticketing Operations, and advertising expense/media spend for Harris Theater Presents. This includes forecasting and planning for each season and monthly reconciliation.
• Monitors and reports data-driven sales trends and audience development to the leadership team and Board of Trustees.
• Leads the Marketing team and sets clear and measurable individual revenue and audience development goals for each team member.
• In collaboration with the General Manager, documents and leads the organization’s emergency communication plans internally and externally in support of the organization’s Emergency Preparedness and Action Plans.
• Provides leadership to a diverse and talented staff, including the Director of Sales and Ticketing, IATSE Box Office Treasurer, Marketing Manager, Digital Content Coordinator; oversees contract and consulting support including public relations, digital marketing and web development, and graphic designer.
• Upholds the Harris Theater’s mission to be a home for music and dance and embodies the organizational core values of artistic integrity, collaboration, belonging, and respect.
• Collaborates in leadership team meetings and actively generates ideas and opportunities to engage in organizational best practices and mission delivery.

Marketing and Communications Leadership:
• Develops and implements marketing strategies, advertising, campaigns, and projects across all channels, including web, print, digital, and outdoor.
• Leads communications and content development that authentically represent the Theater’s mission and ensures consistent voice across both internal and external communications.
• Identifies and develops press and social media relationships that provide exposure for the Harris Theater locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Leads and demonstrates best practices in new media and content marketing while researching, evaluating, and assessing emerging trends.
• Fosters brand and communication strategies in collaboration with other key stakeholders such as the Board of Trustees, development, and operations departments, visiting artists and companies, incorporating a holistic approach to the entire guest and donor experience.
• Oversees relationships and drives goals with contract and consulting vendors including public relations, web development and digital marketing, Tessitura Network, and graphic designer.
• Provides mentorship and reviews marketing strategy and ticket sales plan with the Resident Companies.
• Represents the Theater at Harris performances and events, industry, and community convenings, conferences, and other settings to amplify the visibility of the Theater’s mission and position the organization as a sector leader.

Ticketing and Database Operations:
• Primary liaison and collective bargaining manager for the Theater’s IATSE Local 750 contract.
• Oversees the Director of Sales and Ticketing in ticketing operations, and promotes alignment with marketing priorities and revenue goals, customer service practices, and part-time personnel management.
• Oversees departmental and consortium database administration of the Theater’s CRM – Tessitura. Is adept at navigating and using Tessitura and stays up to date on current/best practices for patron data management.
• Collaborates with the development department leadership team on the roadmap for the database, related equipment and applications, training needs, and website/purchase path optimization.
• Upholds the Harris Theater’s mission to be a home for music and dance and embodies the organizational core values of artistic integrity, collaboration, belonging, and respect.
• Collaborates in leadership team meetings and actively generates ideas and opportunities to engage in organizational best practices and mission delivery.

Qualifications - Required
• Minimum eight years of successful marketing, branding, and public relations experience including at least five years in a leadership position.
• Proven ability to create high-level marketing strategies that maximize earned income streams while supporting customer service initiatives.
• Acknowledged ability to lead and champion a successful team, encouraging individual goals and innovation in service of the overall departmental and organizational goals.
• Demonstrated record of knowledge and experience working with diverse audiences and cross sector marketing and digital engagement that results in the broadening of the Theater’s audiences.
• Outstanding verbal, writing, editing, and presentation skills with demonstrated proficiency in writing for senior executives and the media.
• Interest in supporting organizational and departmental diversity, equity, inclusion, and access initiatives and a personal desire to explore and share how you believe the Harris Theater can best prioritize DEIA in service of the Theater’s mission.
• Drive and charisma necessary for dynamic constituent and press communications.
• A true collaborator who can be a thought leader and advisor to the CEO, and a leading voice as part of the senior leadership team.

Qualifications - Desired
• Experience in performing arts is preferred.
• Knowledge of website development, app design, CRM management, e-commerce, ticketing software, and user experience are helpful.
• Experience with Tessitura or other ticketing databases is highly desirable.
• BA preferred with an emphasis in marketing, journalism, communications, social media, or related subjects.

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $110,000-$140,000 per year plus a benefits package including medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and company contribution to 401(k). This is a full-time, hybrid onsite position with flexibility for agreed-upon remote work.

Application Instructions

The VP of Marketing Sales search is being conducted on behalf of Harris Theater for Dance and Music by Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, a New York-based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries. The search is being led by Tomi Douglas and Tom O’Connor.

To apply, visit the online application and submit your materials. (https://tinyurl.com/3x7xsxtc) Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the job profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications that may not be present in your resume.

The priority application deadline for this search is April 15, 2023. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration. While we will still accept and consider applications after this date, we encourage you to apply as early as possible for the best chance at being considered for the position. Please note that meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
The Harris Theater is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, veteran, national origin, or disability status or any protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, and local laws.

COVID-19 Guidelines
Any new hire of the Harris Theater will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and will be required to complete the Harris Theater COVID-19 Vaccination Disclosure Form during the initial onboarding with the Director of Human Resources. Medical and Religious Exemption form made available upon request. This policy is being initiated based upon current public health guidance, our need for employees to physically be onsite at the Theater and Theater office premises to support standard and performance operations, and the current increase of COVID-19 cases within our immediate area along with the unpredictability of the current COVID-19 variant in addition to the potential of other variants.