The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (USA) invites applications and nominations for the position of Marketing Director, available in the summer, 2025.
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is a dynamic and innovative cultural institution dedicated to enriching the community through exceptional musical performances and educational outreach programs. The VSO strives to inspire, educate, and entertain audiences of all ages and backgrounds with a commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement. The 2024/2025 season is the VSO’s 45th and has been a celebration of the organization’s commitment to fine orchestral playing and meaningful engagement with audiences throughout the greater Southwest Washington
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s 2025/2026 season includes seven masterworks subscription programs including Holiday Pops and a Young Artist Showcase. The upcoming season features top-tier soloists including Marc-André Hamelin, Anne-Marie McDermott, Liz Callaway, and rising star Inés Issel Burzyńska playing symphonic favorites and newer works by award-winning contemporary American composers. Performances take place at the 1,150-seat Skyview Concert Hall.
The VSO partners with the City of Vancouver to present and produce the Vancouver Arts and Music Festival each summer. The 2025 Festival is an exciting four-day celebration of culture and community featuring performances by the VSO with headline artists Renée Fleming, Mark and Maggie O’Connor, and Sharon Isbin at the historic Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver. Renowned visual artists and other international performers join the VSO in this multi-disciplinary festival that reaches more than 40,000 people annually. All festival events are free and open to all.
The VSO is committed to a wide variety of education and engagement programs throughout the year. Made possible through the Ruthie Keller Community Music Initiative in conjunction with the Keller Foundation, the VSO Youth Virtuosi, USA brings together 54 all-star student musicians selected from 11 different schools from across Southwest Washington. Students will be coached by VSO principal musicians and will perform at the 2025 Vancouver USA Arts and Music Festival with acclaimed conductor Gerard Schwarz and alongside GRAMMY award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey. Additionally, the VSO produces its own Young Artist Competition and will feature the winner in its 2025/2026 season. VSO players are active in Vancouver schools as part of a number of different public education programs.
The VSO is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. Music Director Salvador Brotons leads a professional orchestra of more than 70 musicians. Dr. Igor Shakhman has served as CEO since 2011 and leads an administrative team of five as well as a team of consultants. The 2025/2026 operating budget is approximately $2.3M.
The Position
Reporting to the CEO, the Marketing and Communications Director is responsible and accountable for planning, implementing, and evaluating all aspects of marketing, sales, promotion, advertising, and positioning to achieve and exceed the Orchestra’s earned revenue goals. The Director develops and implements a comprehensive and strategic marketing plan to position the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra both locally and nationally.
The Marketing and Communications Director ensures a comprehensive focus on data and analytics in driving sales and building patron loyalty. The Director conducts market research, monitors trends, and provides reports to inform organizational decision-making.
The Marketing and Communications Director plans and executes subscription and single-sales campaigns and implements decisions regarding dynamic pricing. The Director develops and implements strategies that build the VSO’s institutional brand. The Director develops public relations, promotional, and publicity campaigns with print and electronic media. The Director serves as spokesperson for the organization as appropriate and maintains positive and productive relationships with media locally and nationally. The Director oversees all internal and external communication and ensures the highest editorial and design standards for all print and electronic communications, including VSO’s website. The Director implements a dynamic and savvy digital and social media plan to achieve and exceed sales and branding goals.
The Marketing and Communications Director collaborates with the fundraising team to generate solicitation materials and information for donor recognition in publications, newsletters, playbills, annual reports, and digital media. The Director regularly attends performances and events and is an active participant in the greater Vancouver community.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned professional who combines a passion for orchestras and symphonic music with the proven ability to build audiences, achieve revenue goals, and strengthen brand recognition internationally. The candidate will be a creative and strategic thinker who is able to develop and lead implementation of institutional and event-specific marketing plans.
The successful candidate will have the demonstrated ability to conduct, analyze, and utilize market research to design marketing strategies that achieve revenue goals. The candidate will be knowledgeable about marketing best practices for the performing arts, including patron services and retention, use of technology, social media, e-commerce, telemarketing operations, pricing and packaging, web marketing, licensing, sales, and institutional branding. A strong working knowledge of music, artists, and repertoire, although not required, will be considered an asset.
The successful candidate will have strong project management experience, including balancing multiple priorities and deadlines. The candidate will demonstrate the ability to align priorities with institutional goals. The candidate will be experienced in managing an organization’s brand, image, and message in multiple and diverse cultural environments.
The successful candidate will be an effective manager with excellent communication and organizational ability. The candidate will be creative, curious, persistent, and imaginative. The candidate will be a problem solver with a collaborative style that focuses on accomplishment and success. The successful candidate will be a person of integrity and high ethical standards with a strong personal commitment to
transparency. The candidate will be able to accept a work schedule that includes attendance at evening and weekend performance and events.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience. A benefits package, including additional compensation to acquire healthcare, is included.
Applications
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra welcomes recommendations, nominations, and applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter that describes specific interest in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and outlines experience and qualifications for the position as described in the candidate profile. Please send this letter with a resumé. On a separate sheet, please also include the names and contact information for several professional references. All applications will be treated as confidential, and references will not be contacted without the applicant’s knowledge and agreement. Electronic submissions are requested.
The position will remain open until filled; for strongest consideration, candidates are asked to submit application before June 15th, 2025.
Applicants who will attend the League of American Orchestra’s annual conference in Salt Lake City should note this in their letter.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra – Marketing Director c/o Catherine French Group
2500 Q Street NW, Suite 623
Washington, DC 20007 applications@catherinefrenchgroup.com
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