Description

Position Title: Managing Director, Orchestra Communications 

Department: Communications

Reports to: Vice President, Communications

Position Summary

The Managing Director, Orchestra Communications is the senior-most leader responsible for all communications for The Philadelphia Orchestra, reporting to the enterprise Vice President of Communications for The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts. This role serves as the primary architect and champion of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s voice and narrative across all channels, with particular emphasis on digital communications, integrated storytelling, and content innovation that advance its artistic profile, audience engagement, and institutional reputation, locally, nationally, and internationally.

This role leads a high-performing Orchestra-focused Communications team, sets a forward-looking strategy for media relations and digital platforms, and ensures that the Orchestra’s communications are aligned with institutional priorities, marketing, education, and development objectives, and the organization’s strategic goals. This position is highly collaborative and public-facing, acting as the Orchestra’s spokesperson. The position regularly engages with musicians, artistic leadership, the President and CEO, Trustees the organization’s Enterprise Leadership Team, community partners, media, and digital influencers.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and lead a comprehensive, multi-year communications strategy for The Philadelphia Orchestra that elevates its artistic profile, strengthens its brand, and advances institutional priorities across local, national, and international audiences.
• Position the Orchestra as an innovative, forward-thinking leader in the global arts ecosystem by championing new approaches to digital storytelling, platform-specific content, and audience engagement.
• Ensure all Orchestra communications—media relations, social media, web, video, podcasts, and other emerging platforms—are integrated, consistent, and reflective of the institution's mission, vision, and values.
• Serve as senior communications counselor to the Music and Artistic Director, Orchestra leadership, Orchestra musicians, and key artistic partners on messaging, media strategy, and public positioning.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Development, Artistic Planning, Orchestra Operations, Education, Community Engagement, and other internal partners to align communications strategy with ticket sales, touring, philanthropy, and community impact goals.

Digital Communications and Storytelling

• Lead the evolution of digital communications for The Philadelphia Orchestra in partnership with efforts across the Ensemble Arts Philly, with a strategic focus on platform-native storytelling, audience growth, and engagement across platforms.
• Oversee the Orchestra’s social media strategy and execution, ensuring synergy with marketing efforts and a dynamic, data-informed presence across platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, Threads, and BlueSky.
• In close partnership with marketing initiatives, drive a holistic strategy toward the creation of compelling digital stories, video series, behind-the-scenes content, digital activations, and multi-platform campaigns that bring the “Philadelphia Sound” and the organization’s mission to life.
• Identify and cultivate new digital and content distribution partnerships (streaming, broadcasts, podcasts, influencer collaborations, media platforms) that expand reach and deepen engagement with global audiences.
• Manage internal content creators (video, publications, design, photography, and digital asset management) to shape cohesive content strategies aligned with marketing efforts and editorial calendars uniting and supporting season storytelling, artistic initiatives, Orchestra tours, residencies, and special projects.
• Track and analyze digital performance metrics and audience insights to inform strategy, optimize content, and communicate impact to leadership and Board stakeholders.

Media Relations and Public Profile

• Lead all media relations for The Philadelphia Orchestra, including strategy, planning, and execution to secure impactful local, national, and international coverage of performances, education programs, tours, recordings, residencies, and community partnerships.
• Serve as a primary or senior spokesperson for the Orchestra, and prepare and support the Music and Artistic Director, President and CEO, and other leaders for media interviews, panels, and public appearances.
• Proactively cultivate strong relationships with journalists, influencers, editors, critics, and digital media voices across arts, culture, lifestyle, philanthropy, and civic sectors.
• Oversee the development of media materials, including press releases; media advisories; fact sheets; talking points; press kits; biographies; photo, audio, and video assets; and backgrounders that position the Orchestra’s work in compelling, accessible ways.
• Lead crisis and issues communications for Orchestra-related matters in close coordination with the Vice President of Communications and other senior leaders, ensuring timely, authentic, and strategic responses.
• Support the Orchestra’s national and international tours and residencies with robust media and digital strategies that highlight the Orchestra as one of America’s leading cultural ambassadors.

Editorial, Brand, and Institutional Messaging

• Own and steward the Orchestra’s messaging architecture and editorial voice, ensuring clarity, consistency, and resonance across Orchestra-focused channels and campaigns.
• Oversee Orchestra-related editorial content for digital and print platforms, including advertorial strategy, feature stories, blog posts, e-mails, institutional announcements, and select publications.
• Partner with communications colleagues to align Orchestra messaging with broader institutional narratives while preserving the specificity and distinctiveness of the Orchestra brand.
• Ensure all visual and narrative content related to the Orchestra, including photography and video, reflects the organization’s values, artistic excellence, and community commitments.

Partnerships, Community, and Representation

• Act as a key liaison with venue partners and collaborators such as the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Bravo! Vail Music Festival, Carnegie Hall, and others, coordinating communications and joint promotional efforts for Orchestra activities.
• Maintain and deepen partnerships with broadcast and distribution partners including but not limited to WRTI and SiriusXM, ensuring effective planning, asset delivery, and storytelling alignment.
• Collaborate with Community Impact and Civic Engagement teams to amplify stories that reflect the Orchestra’s role as a convener and civic leader across Philadelphia’s diverse communities.
• Represent the communications function at internal and external meetings, including select Board and committee meetings as appropriate.

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Orchestra communications team, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance culture grounded in the organization’s values and strategic framework.
• Provide clear direction, coaching, and growth opportunities for staff responsible for media relations, social media, content creation, and communications coordination.
• Manage budgets and resources for Orchestra communications initiatives, ensuring effective prioritization and strong return on investment.
• Oversee relationships with external consultants, agencies, and freelancers engaged in Orchestra-related communications, content, and digital projects.

Requirements

• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or related fields, with significant leadership responsibility within a complex organization; experience in orchestral management or cultural sector strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, music, arts administration, or a related field required; an advanced degree is a plus or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Deep knowledge of classical music and the orchestral field, or a demonstrated ability  to quickly acquire such knowledge, and a passion for the mission of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated communications strategies that combine media relations, digital communications, and content storytelling to drive awareness, engagement, and brand reputation.
• Deep fluency in contemporary and emerging digital communications trends, including social platforms, video and audio storytelling, influencer and creator ecosystems, audience development strategies, and analytics-informed decision-making.
• Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to executives and artistic leaders, with excellent judgment, discretion, and political acumen.
• Exceptional writing, editing, digital acumen, and storytelling skills, with a portfolio demonstrating work across multiple formats and platforms (press materials, speeches, long- and short-form content, digital campaigns, scripts, etc.).
• Strong experience in media relations, including building relationships with top-tier reporters and editors, and securing high-impact coverage.
• Demonstrated experience managing sensitive issues and messaging across a variety of stakeholders.
• Significant management experience, including leading teams, supervising staff, and collaborating effectively across departments and with external partners.

Working Conditions

• Routine office environment with frequent evening and weekend responsibilities in connection with concerts, events, and media opportunities.
• Domestic and international travel required in connection with tours, residencies, and major institutional initiatives; valid passport required.

About The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly (POEA) brings together one of the world’s preeminent orchestras with the iconic venues that have anchored Philadelphia’s cultural life for nearly 170 years. As owner and operator of the Academy of Music, Miller Theater, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and the programming partner for the historic Forrest Theatre, POEA serves as a cornerstone of the city’s artistic and civic identity, welcoming one million people annually to a vibrant constellation of stages across Center City.

Representing both the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra and a dynamic roster of resident partners and visiting artists, POEA presents more than one-thousand events annually that represent a wide range of programming, including Broadway, classical, comedy, theater, jazz, dance, and family presentations, reflecting and serving the breadth of the region’s communities. Through innovative programming, robust educational initiatives, deep commitment to diverse communities, and expanding digital platforms, POEA acts as a convener and civic partner—bringing people together, fostering dialogue, and creating an expansive, inclusive future for the arts in Philadelphia and beyond.

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts is an equal opportunity employer.  All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, veteran or disability status.

Employees are expected to be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position, with or without job modification/reasonable accommodation. If an employee believes a job modification/reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources so that a review can be conducted. POEA strives to comply with the accommodation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and other related federal, state, and local laws.