Communications & PR Manager

About the role

The Columbus Symphony has served as central Ohio’s flagship music organization since 1951. Our musicians, conductors, chorus, and world‑renowned guest artists enrich the central Ohio community through extraordinary talent, passion, dedication, and the highest standards of musicianship. Guided by the artistic vision of Music Director Rossen Milanov, the Columbus Symphony offers four programming “brands” – Masterworks, Pops, Picnic with the Pops, and Education/Community Engagement. This segmented approach, innovative within the American orchestra industry, is helping the Columbus Symphony to reach new, younger, and more diverse audiences.

The Communications and PR Manager is responsible for the strategy, creation, and execution of comprehensive patron communications, published marketing assets across digital and print channels, as well as public relations assets. This role serves as a key touchpoint for patrons, driving ticket sales through email/SMS/publications/surveys and drives brand awareness, engagement, and customer acquisition while leveraging data‑driven insights to achieve the mission and vision of the orchestra.

Responsibilities

First month:

• Train in existing email/social/website platforms and processes.
• Attend concerts learning set‑up and marketing table procedures, POS system, and patron engagement.
• Meet with supervisors, musicians, staff and others to understand the interactions between departments and the mission and vision of the CSO.

First six months – Email/SMS patron communications:

• Design, build, and execute automated and one‑off email marketing campaigns for various departments.
• Manage email lists, segmenting audiences to deliver targeted and personalized content.
• Track and report on email performance metrics, such as open rates, click‑through rates, and conversion rates.
• Develop and manage SMS/text messaging campaigns for promotions, lead generation, or other marketing initiatives.
• Maintain and segment contact lists for text message campaigns.
• Develop surveys and analyze and report results.

Website:

• Maintain and update website with newly added concerts, ticket links, department updates, blog posts, press releases, and videos.

Digital communications:

• Create copy for concert promotion through digital advertising.

Printed/PR communications:

• Collect, organize content and design concert program books. Work with outside print vendors for on‑time delivery.
• Design print communications and work with outside vendors for on‑time delivery.
• Create quarterly newsletter.
• Write and distribute press releases and maintain good relationships with outside media for additional coverage.
• Prep staff and interviewees before interviews or public appearances.

Lead SMS campaigns:

• Develop and manage SMS/text messaging campaigns for promotions, lead generation, or other marketing initiatives.
• Maintain and segment contact lists for text message campaigns.

Cross‑functional collaboration:

• Collaborate with creative teams to develop content and assets for campaigns.
• Partner with other internal teams to align marketing efforts with broader business goals.
• Assist with special events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations/communications/marketing or a related field, and/or equivalent work experience.
• Generally, three years of experience in public relations and communications management.
• Successful background check.

Skills

• Strong creative writing ability.
• Copy editing and proofreading skills.
• Highly organized.
• Experience with Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Experience with email marketing platforms such as Wordfly.
• Ability to learn new tools and technologies like Audience Access and Tessitura.
• Excellent problem solving and planning skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office – Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word.
• Ability to walk, stand and sit for extended periods.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders, bend and kneel, and lift up to 50 pounds.

Pay

Base pay for this role is $55,000 – $60,000.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability coverage
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• Holiday pay
• Employee assistance program
• Wellness programs
• Other company‑sponsored benefit programs (eligibility and coverage subject to plan terms and applicable policies)

Schedule

This is a full‑time, benefits‑eligible position. The majority of CSO’s public events take place at night and on weekends; this position requires occasional presence on‑site during nights and weekends.