Senior Director of Communications – Storytelling
Seattle Symphony
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Seattle • Washington • United States
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Salary
💰 $125,000 - $135,000 per year
Job Level
About the role
- Develop and lead the communications strategy for Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and artistic vision.
- Shape and steward the institutional voice across all owned external communications and storytelling platforms.
- Identify opportunities to elevate the organization’s visibility through media coverage, cultural commentary, and timely storytelling.
- Collaborate with colleagues across Artistic, Development, Education and Community Engagement teams to communicate institutional priorities and initiatives effectively.
- Partner closely with the Senior Director of Marketing to align communications narratives with event marketing campaigns and audience engagement initiatives.
- Lead the organization’s media relations strategy and cultivate strong relationships with local, national, and international press.
- Serve as a primary media contact and spokesperson for Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall.
- Oversee and participate directly in the pitching of stories and drafting of press releases, media advisories, and institutional statements.
- Prepare artists, musicians, executives, and board leadership for media interviews and public appearances.
- Guide communications strategy during moments of heightened public attention, ensuring timely and thoughtful messaging that protects and strengthens the organization’s reputation.
- Provide strategic oversight of organic social media and digital storytelling in collaboration with the Social Media Manager and Digital Media Producer.
- Guide the development of platform-specific voice, video storytelling, and audience engagement strategies that strengthen the organization’s digital presence.
- Ensure social media and multimedia content align with the institution’s broader communications narrative while complementing paid marketing efforts led by the marketing team.
- Identify opportunities to highlight the artistic work of Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall through video, multimedia, and emerging digital storytelling formats.
Requirements
- 7-9 years of experience in communications, media relations, journalism, or storytelling leadership, preferably within the arts or cultural sector.
- Exceptional writing and editorial skills with the ability to translate artistic work into compelling narratives.
- Demonstrated success in media relations and story placement across traditional and digital outlets, locally and nationally.
- Experience leading communications teams and managing creative professionals.
- Strategic thinker who can balance long-term narrative development with day-to-day communications execution.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and build strong relationships with artists, media, and external partners.
- Passion for the performing arts and interest in advancing the role of arts organizations within civic and cultural life.
Benefits
- Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (PPO, low deductible)
- Employer paid Long-Term Disability, AD&D and Life Insurance
- Employer paid ORCA pass for Metro, Sound Transit, the WA State ferries, or other public transport system or onsite parking
- 403b retirement savings plan with employer matching at 1 year
- 10 days Vacation Time, 10 days Sick Time
- 2 personal days
- 11 paid holidays per year
- Your birthday off!
- Employee Assistance Program
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
media relationsstorytellingwritingeditorial skillspress release draftingstory pitchingdigital storytellingsocial media strategyaudience engagement strategiesnarrative development
Soft Skills
strategic thinkingcollaborationrelationship buildingleadershipcommunicationcreativityadaptabilitypublic speakingteam managementproblem-solving