Marketing And Communications Director

Reports To - Vice President of Advancement
Direct Reports - Corporate & Marketing Partnerships Manager, Graphic Design & Communications Specialist, Marketing Coordinator (to be hired)
Status - Reguar Full-Time Exempt
Location - On site in Downtown Houston, Texas, with flexibility for occasional remote work
Schedule - General business hours with some nights and weekends

OVERVIEW 

The Marketing and Communications Director leads the Hobby Center’s marketing and sales campaigns, audience development initiatives, and strategic communications to drive attendance, ticket revenue, patron loyalty, and brand awareness. This individual will focus on transformational growth of audiences for key programming initiatives, defining how the Hobby Center cultivates new audiences, deepens existing relationships, and connects with our community. 

This role blends creativity with strong analytics and data-forward strategy, delivering on immediate revenue and attendance goals while fostering long-term loyalty and brand equity. Leveraging a deep understanding of arts consumer journeys and lifecycle, the Marketing and Communications Director collaborates across the organization to shape stellar customer experiences that inspire ongoing engagement and advocacy. Along with the rest of the Advancement team, this position also supports the execution of special events, projects, and campaigns as well as strategic plan tactics.

 You Are:

• A consumer-focused marketer who lives and breathes audience loyalty, segmentation, and data-driven engagement.
• A creative storyteller and dynamic communicator.
• Motivated by results and invigorated by shaping new programs and approaches.
• Resourceful, proactive and mission-driven.
• A collaborative leader who builds thriving teams and strong relationships across departments and key stakeholder groups.
• Passionate about the performing arts and committed to community impact.

We Are

• A vibrant performing arts center in downtown Houston offering a huge range of arts and entertainment experiences.
• A connector, convenor, and incubator for all Houston audiences, artmakers, and arts organizations.
• An established, stable nonprofit organization engaged in an exciting period of growth and transformation.
• Committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of people and ideas and fosters a sense of belonging.
• A high-performance culture that is supportive of your professional growth and ability to work in a sustainable, empowered way.

FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Audience Growth & Loyalty

• Develop and implement programs to foster patron loyalty from first-time ticket buyer to Hobby Center ambassador and advocate.
• Manage direct marketing campaigns for the acquisition, growth, and retention of patrons, including but not limited to direct mail, email, digital advertising, social media, SMS, and other channels.

• Collaborate across departments and functional areas to shape superlative patron experiences throughout the customer journey.
• Leverage data along with evolving tools and technology including AI and automation to create high-impact customer relationships and personalization.
• Collaborate closely with the development section of the Advancement team to integrate fundraising efforts with sales campaigns and loyalty initiatives, ensuring alignment and consistency across all channels.

Sales & Revenue Strategy

• Develop and execute comprehensive annual marketing strategies as well as targeted plans to support single ticket sales for each Hobby Center presented engagement to achieve attendance and ticket revenue goals.

• Guide audience segmentation strategy; ensure testing and optimization across email, digital advertising, and direct marketing campaigns.
• Thoroughly integrate data and analytics into strategy and decision-making to maximize impact and ROI.

• Lead demand and pricing strategy for Hobby Center presented programming; oversee inventory management to maximize revenue, attendance, and audience experience.
• Ensure marketing initiatives and resources are designed and allocated to achieve budgeted earned revenue goals and strong ROI; manage the operating budget for marketing, sales, and communications.

• Set and track metrics for sales, loyalty, engagement, and campaign effectiveness; produce regular reporting for leadership.

Communications & Brand

• Act as a primary steward of the Hobby Center brand, ensuring visibility, clarity, and vibrancy across all platforms and communications.

• In partnership with the VP Advancement, guide brand voice and institutional messaging to inspire public interest and galvanize awareness of the Hobby Center’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Shape engaging strategic content narratives that highlight the Hobby Center’s evolving identity and expanded programming; provide direction on content development, creative assets, and campaign storytelling.
• Leverage a strong understanding of visual and digital storytelling and current design practices to oversee the creation of clear, compelling, and distinctive visual communication.

• Oversee marketing, advertising, and PR agencies / vendors and creative production to achieve high-impact results and highest-quality output.
• Align earned media, social media, and content strategies with paid campaigns and institutional storytelling.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Manage, develop, and inspire the marketing section of the Advancement team, leveraging their strengths and skills to achieve organizational goals.
• Serve as a thought partner with the VP Advancement to drive forward key priorities and goals.
• Ensure delivery of Arts Partner and rental client benefits and support services.
• Partner with the development section of the Advancement team on donor communications, invitations, campaigns, and stewardship materials.
• Represent the marketing and communications section in cross-functional planning as needed.
• Champion a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture.

Growth & Visibility

• Build resources and networks for success and collaboration both internally and externally.
• Seek relevant professional development opportunities and learning.
• Along with other members of the Advancement team, represent the Hobby Center at performances and events and provide support as needed.
• Regularly attend the full range of Hobby Center presented programming to stay connected to our artistic work and the patron experience.

Responsibilities may evolve to meet organizational needs and employee strengths.

REQUIREMENTS & CHARACTERISTICS

Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive marketing/communications leadership, preferably in performing arts or entertainment.
• Experience with segmentation strategy and loyalty development.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and visual communication skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and prioritize multiple deadlines effectively.
• Discretion when handling confidential information.
• Ability to work at a desk (sitting or standing) and computer for extended periods of time.
• A positive, collaborative, and proactive work style.
• Passion for the Hobby Center’s mission and desire to play a vital role during a transformational period of growth.

The Hobby Center’s core business is live performances. Evening and weekend events are central to our operation and all employees understand that their duties may require them to be on site at these times and interface with the public.

Ideal Skills and Experience

• Substantial experience and history of achievement managing segmentation, subscription / membership models, and loyalty marketing in the performing arts or similar industry.
• Track record of driving audience growth, ticket sales, and brand visibility.
• Deep understanding of omnichannel marketing strategies, optimization, and related platforms and technologies.
• Expertise in demand-based pricing, scaling, and inventory management in the performing arts or similar industry.
• Proven efficacy leading diverse, high-functioning teams.
• Experience with relevant email marketing, analytics, ticketing, CMS, and CRM systems (WordPress, Tessitura, and Ticketmaster a plus).

Attitudes and Behaviors We Value

• Embracing continuous growth and learning.
• Practicing open, honest communication and conflict resolution.
• Taking initiative and increasing ownership over time.
• Supporting colleagues and partners to achieve collective success.
• Examining and challenging our personal biases.
• Celebrating our own and others’ wins, big and small.
• Engaging through a lens of opportunity, optimism, and curiosity.

COMPENSATION

The Hobby Center offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 403b savings plan with matching employer contributions, and paid time off. The anticipated hiring range for this position is $100,000 - $125,000.

ABOUT THE HOBBY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts serves as a connector, convenor and incubator for all Houston audiences, artmakers and arts organizations. Opened in 2002, the campus houses two theaters and welcomes over 400,000 audience members annually to a wide range of arts experiences including the Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center series. The Hobby Center is also home to a full season of musical theatre produced by Principal Resident Company Theatre Under the Stars, as well as a variety of diverse performances from both Houston-based and touring artists and companies. Education and accessibility initiatives are central to the Hobby Center’s impact in Houston through programs like the ExxonMobil Discovery Series, sensory inclusive performances, tactile tours, talkbacks, specialized audience services, and master classes for artists and students. The ExxonMobil Discovery Series creates access to engaging arts experiences for thousands of Houston-area students each year. All ExxonMobil Discovery Series performances are offered free of charge to schools, including transportation. 

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace.