Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Description

Overview:

As the largest cultural institution in the state and region, Omaha Performing Arts (O-pa) seeks a Vice President of Marketing and Communications to serve as a key leader for a dynamic, growing organization recognized locally and nationally with a profile of excellence that serves the greater Omaha region and state. With a mission to present the highest level of performing arts and entertainment experiences, robust and extensive education and community engagement programs, and four world-class venues, O-pa is a fast-paced, complex organization with a wide variety of programs, market segments, and volume of activities. 

Position Summary:

The Vice President of Marketing and Communications is a visionary leader responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, organization-wide marketing and communications strategy for Omaha Performing Arts (O-pa). With dedication to the organization’s mission, core values and commitment to inclusion and serving the broad community of Omaha and the state of Nebraska, this role creates critical alignment across all departments through strategic marketing for ticket sales, education and engagement, fundraising, rentals and events, and institutional communications. The VP of Marketing drives the elevation of O-pa’s brand, the achievement of ambitious revenue and sales goals, growth in audiences and participation in community engagement. The Vice President is accountable for positioning the organization as a leading cultural institution locally and nationally and ensuring the organization remains at the forefront of cultural and media trends. This role leverages the latest innovations in technology, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to inform decision-making and deliver impactful campaigns across digital and traditional platforms. As a member of and together with O-pa’s senior leadership team, the VP of Marketing sets the tone for organizational culture and excellence with unwavering professionalism and leadership. 

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Develop and lead a comprehensive, data-informed marketing and communications strategy aligned with O-pa’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to establish and achieve earned revenue and attendance goals across performances (Broadway, O-pa Presents, commercial presentations, etc.), education programs, and event rentals.
• Lead the development of marketing budgets and revenue forecasts in partnership with the Chief Strategy Officer and senior team, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
• Lead the strategic and ethical integration of technology, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to achieve earned revenue goals, broaden and diversify audiences, ensure efficient resource use, and uphold O-pa’s commitment to data privacy, creative integrity, and mission alignment. 
• Champion a culture of experimentation in communications, encouraging risk-taking, pilot campaigns, and agile responses to audience feedback.

Marketing, Sales, and Audience Development

• Direct all marketing campaigns to support performances, education and engagement programs, event rentals, and other revenue-generating initiatives.
• Design and execute integrated campaigns across digital, social, broadcast, print, and other platforms to maximize reach, ROI, and audience growth.
• Lead ticket pricing strategy, including dynamic pricing and house scaling, in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Plan and manage subscription and single-ticket campaigns utilizing direct mail, e-marketing, telemarketing, paid advertising, group sales, and community partnerships.
• Grow and diversify O-pa’s patron database while enhancing audience retention and engagement.
• Conduct ongoing market research and data analysis to inform decision-making and adapt strategies based on audience insights and trends.
• Partner with Education & Engagement to promote programming and deepen community impact.
• Support Development with donor communications, campaign branding, and stewardship initiatives.
• Collaborate with Rentals & Events to market venues and grow earned income.

Communications and Public Relations

• Lead communications strategy and messaging across all O-pa activities, ensuring alignment, consistency, and the integration of sustainability and social impact narratives that reflect the organization’s values and leadership in community well-being.
• Oversee institutional communications including media relations, crisis communication, and internal messaging.
• Serve as an organizational spokesperson and maintain strong relationships with local and national media.
• Guide public relations and promotional efforts to elevate O-pa’s visibility and support revenue goals.
• Uphold editorial, copywriting, and design standards for all internal and external communications.

Digital and Online Strategy

• Oversee digital strategies for all O-pa platforms, including websites (O-pa, Ticket Omaha, Steelhouse Omaha, Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement) and social media channels.
• Collaborate across departments to develop user-friendly, engaging digital experiences and video content.
• Ensure digital marketing efforts are integrated with overall brand and sales strategies, particularly with Commercial Events.
• Innovate and implement digital content strategies(e.g. live streaming, behind-the-scenes storytelling,…) to expand reach beyond Omaha and create year-round engagement.

Team Leadership and Operational Management

• Lead and mentor a high-performing Marketing and Communications team, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and collaboration.
• Successfully manage departmental budget, regularly assess ROI and revenue performance, and adjust strategies to maximize effectiveness.
• Ensure marketing systems, processes, and plans support the full organization and can adapt to growth and changing priorities.
• Stay current with marketing innovations and best practices, integrating new tools and technologies as appropriate.
• Maintain consistent application of the O-pa brand across all communications and platforms.

Requirements

Minimum Experience and Qualifications:

• Seasoned professional with at least seven (7) years of senior-level marketing and communications experience and/or related experience.
• Proven record of measurable success in a complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience fostering inclusive environments and engaging with communities.
• Superb planning, budgeting, analytical, organizational and communication skills.
• Proven track record of achieving earned income growth.
• Strong familiarity and experience with drawing insights from and leveraging the use of quantitative and qualitative data and analytics and experience in conducting, analyzing and utilizing market research.
• Demonstrated success in attracting and growing diverse audiences across a range of programs, experiences, or industries; familiarity with the performing arts, including Broadway, music, dance and theater, and education and community engagement, is a plus. 
• Skilled in working with internal and external resources such as designers, graphic artists, writers, website technicians, social media developers and influencers, and other creative talent to achieve innovation and excellence in all marketing, advertising and promotional materials.
• Experience with institutional branding and marketing in all mediums 
• Background in developing opportunities and relationships for promotional partnerships and collaborations with sponsors, media and community organizations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams and deliver compelling public presentations.
• Experience working with traditional and online press a plus.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills, demonstrating integrity, emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to build trust across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Enjoyment working in a fast-paced, complex and ever-changing environment.
• Must be a team player who is flexible and adaptable and an excellent  communicator both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated strength in leading teams, developing talent and  building a culture of accountability and inclusion. Also able to inspire staff to achieve  and exceed their goals.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).

Minimum Education Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree is required; degrees in unrelated fields will be considered with significant professional experience in marketing, communications, or a related area.
• Significant professional experience in marketing, communications, or a related field may be considered in lieu of a formal degree.
• Advanced degree or professional certification in marketing, communications, business strategy, data analytics, or a related field is preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Director of Marketing
• Director of Communications
• Creative Director
• Associate Director of Group Sales

Physical Demands:

• No physical exertion required.
• Required to sit for long periods of time.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Equipment/Machinery Used: 

• General office equipment (computer, telephone, fax, copier and printer)