Indiana University’s Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance is comprised of passionate practitioners of theatre and contemporary dance. We examine the place of these arts in society, bringing both classic and original creations to stage. We present our work locally, nationally, and in other parts of the world. Our shows bring audiences to their feet, allowing them to experience the expressive power and emotion of performance.
As a part of the University’s College of Arts and Sciences, we produce plays, dances, musical theatre, original productions, works of scholarship, and publications. Our department explores all facets of professional performance, including technical production and scenic design. We are playwrights, choreographers, actors, dancers, technicians, designers and scholars, taught by leading professionals in contemporary dance and the theatrical arts.
The College values diversity, equity, and inclusion as a core strength and essential element in the success of its educational mission. [For the full diversity statement, click here or go to our department’s Diversity in the College of Arts + Sciences website.]
More information about Indiana University’s Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance may be found here.
Job Summary
This role performs duties in support of the public relations function of IU’s Department of Theatre and Dance, as well as the overall advancement of the department’s reputation, marketing goals, audience development, and donor objectives.
Department-Specific Responsibilities
- Plans strategic communications, manages media relations, marketing, and public representation.
- Works closely with Chair and Department Dramaturg performing external outreach with campus and local communities in audience development and support of department activities and partnerships. Communications include press releases, social media presence, donor and alumni communications, marketing for all department events, associate producer correspondence, and opportunities to profile stories that can be presented on a variety of media platforms.
- Works may include occasional duties in support of other functions or administrative needs.
- Serves as key advisor to the Chair in developing, cultivating, and evaluating marketing strategies, audiences, and donors to raise annual revenue more than $300K during the academic year to facilitate productions; and more than $150K for summer programming for IUST (Indiana University Summer Theatre).
- Manages donor-alumni-patron and other critical partnerships and projects, events, and initiatives.
- This position will be accountable for understanding and implementing marketing and communications objectives; corresponding and liaising with key project partners and participants; organization and oversight of budget plan for each project; planning, timeline creation, oversight and implementation of project, facilitating meetings for diverse audiences, (including faculty, vendors, guest artists, and other professionals) and evaluation of program data; and navigating the logistics and managing the entire project or program when needed.
- This position takes a significant role in keeping the website and department information updated and managing the flow of information generated into publications such as the alumni and donor newsletters, student organizations, student liaising, recruitment view books, alumni communication, season brochures, programs, engagement with partners, donors, patrons, alumni and recruitment materials, donor thank you letters.
- Donor-Alumni-Patron projects and events will coincide with an active performing arts season year-round and requires communication with multiple department and external participants.
General Responsibilities
- Writes, edits, publishes, and distributes clear, informative written content for various strategic communications, media, and external outreach and partnership needs, audiences, and publication formats.
- Independently corrects basic and complex grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting, and syntax errors and performs edits that improve overall writing quality of communications and ensure alignment with university mission, strategies, objectives, and brand guidelines.
- Performs reviews of peer written communications to ensure grammar, quality, tone, and level of depth are sufficient; particularly in matters of crisis intervention, external affairs, and media relations, ensures communications advance the image, reputation, goals, objectives, and mission of the university.
- Regularly provides information to and consults with faculty, staff, media, organizations, and/or other stakeholders regarding university affairs, initiatives, programs, and activities and escalates issues to higher-level Public Relations Specialists and/or manager as needed.
- Schedules and attends meetings, press releases, consultations, publicity events, and various outreach events; may also perform administrative duties, such as maintaining photo databases and managing media contact lists.
- Identifies opportunities for implementing public relations strategies and discusses with team and manager.
- May provide guidance to other Public Relations Specialists.
Qualifications
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
EDUCATION
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field
Preferred
- Master’s degree in Performing Arts Marketing, Public Relations, or related field
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required
- 2 years in relevant field
Preferred
- 3 years of public relations, marketing, communications, or arts management experience
- Experience working in some capacity of live performing arts
SKILLS
Required
- Proficient communication skills
- Maintains a high degree of professionalism
- Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
- Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
- Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
- Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
- Highly thorough and dependable
- Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
- Familiarity with design programs, social media, and websites
Preferred
- Ability and desire to develop proficiency in Adobe Suite.
- Experience and/or training with design in Adobe Suite (Photoshop/In-Design) strongly preferred
Working Conditions / Demands
This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
Work Location
Bloomington, Indiana
Advertised Salary
$55,000 – $59,000 annualized, paid monthly
Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
- Multiple plan options for medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
- Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
- Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
- Additional supplemental retirement plan options
- Tuition benefit for IU classes
- 10 paid holidays per year
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure .
Job Classification
Career Level: Career
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Marketing & Communications
Job Family: Public Relations
Click here to learn more about Indiana University’s Job Framework.
Posting Disclaimer
This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information .
Campus Safety and Security
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online . You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.
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