Director of Marketing

POSITION: Director of Marketing

DEPARTMENT: Marketing

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time/ Salaried / Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Chief Marketing Officer

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1947 by Nina Vance, the Alley Theatre is a pioneer of regional theatre, and one of the leading nonprofit theatre companies in the United States. The Alley has been awarded the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award® and the Texas Medal of Arts Award. The Alley has transferred productions to Broadway, Off-Broadway, major European Festivals, and to 40 American cities. Unique among regional theatres, the Alley is committed to maintaining a Resident Acting Company and providing them with work year-round. Nationally recognized directors, actors, playwrights, and designers from across the country have regularly joined the Resident Acting Company.  

Rob Melrose, Artistic Director at the Alley, took over as artistic leader of the organization in 2019. His vision for the future of the Alley is both thrilling and ambitious. His strategic goals include upholding the Alley’s artistic excellence, keeping longtime Alley Theatre devotees eager to return each season, and creating productions and cultivating new audiences.

Rob Melrose, Managing Director Dean Gladden and the Alley’s leadership team are committed to fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic selves.

JOB STATEMENT

The Director of Marketing is a key leader on the Alley Theatre's marketing and communications team, responsible for driving strategic marketing initiatives that optimize revenue, grow audience engagement, and strengthen the Alley’s brand as a nationally recognized nonprofit theatre. This role leads the development and execution of integrated campaigns for subscription and single ticket sales, manages key media relationships, and oversees the creation of compelling and consistent patron communications.

This position is highly collaborative and plays a central role in aligning marketing strategies with organizational goals. The Director of Marketing manages a high-performing team, ensuring clear direction, ongoing professional development, and a positive, results-oriented culture.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the strategy, development, and execution of comprehensive marketing campaigns for subscriptions and individual productions, including campaign timelines, paid media, promotions, and collateral.
• Oversee media planning and buying across traditional and digital platforms including print, TV, radio, outdoor, and emerging channels.
• Partner with the Senior Brand Strategy Manager to guide the creation and execution of all creative assets—ensuring campaigns are aligned with brand guidelines and deliver compelling messaging.
• Serve as the primary contact for advertising/media inquiries from external vendors and sales representatives.
• Manage all direct mail and email campaigns, including segmentation, targeting strategies, compliance with mailing standards, and post-campaign analysis.
• In collaboration with the Press & Communications Manager, oversee patron messaging across print and digital channels to ensure consistency, clarity, and brand voice.
• Develop innovative grassroots marketing efforts that drive word-of-mouth, community engagement, and brand awareness.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with media outlets, hospitality partners, community organizations, and peer institutions.
• Monitor marketing budgets and expenses for individual productions and institutional campaigns, ensuring financial efficiency and ROI.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally to support audience development, education initiatives, and fundraising campaigns through coordinated promotions and messaging.
• Use data and insights from Tessitura and other platforms to track performance and inform decision-making.

TEAM LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive team culture rooted in trust, accountability, and creativity.
• Regularly update job descriptions and lead the recruitment, onboarding, and training of new team members.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and growth opportunities tailored to each employee’s strengths and development goals.
• Conduct timely and constructive performance evaluations; address performance issues with clarity and empathy.
• Champion effective communication and collaboration across the team and organization.
• Ensure departmental policies, procedures, and systems are current, efficient, and in alignment with the Alley’s organizational values.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Proven experience leading marketing strategy and campaign execution in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build, mentor, and inspire teams.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to prioritize and balance multiple initiatives at once.
• Proficiency in data-driven decision making; experience with Tessitura or similar CRM systems is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an eye for storytelling and brand voice.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Understanding of (or a commitment to learning about) historical and institutional racism in the American theatre.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, arts administration, or a related field preferred.
• College degree preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift and move 25 lbs.
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where directions and priorities can change rapidly.
• Typical hours are during the day, but the position requires flexibility to be available for weekend, holidays and evening work hours as needed.

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, floating holiday, and sick time
• 401(k) with matching, FSA, HRA (Alley paid deductible)
• Free and discounted tickets to Alley Theatre performances
• Bi-Weekly $4 Discounted Parking.
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee wellness program & EAP
• Houston, TX is one of the most affordable cities in the nation with no state or city income tax.

TO APPLY

https://www.alleytheatre.org/about-us/opportunities/employment

Alley Theatre is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at HRdept@alleytheatre.org.

The Alley Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.