Eastern Music Festival (EMF), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational and artistic institution in Greensboro, North Carolina, seeks a dynamic, creative, and entrepreneurial communications professional with a strong record in marketing, media, and public relations. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Media & Communications Director will lead EMF’s media, marketing, and communications initiatives, cultivate relationships with students, faculty, donors, audiences, and media partners, and manage both year-round and seasonal communications staff.

As a member of the EMF leadership team, the Media and Communications Director will ensure the marketing strategies align to help promote EMF’s educational and artistic vision. This is a high-profile role requiring the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities in a demanding environment, have exceptional attention to detail, and a mixed approach to maintaining an enduring identity for the festival as a welcoming, inclusive, and premier performing arts cultural destination on local, national, and global levels.

Primary Responsibilities

Communications & Marketing Leadership:

• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing and communications strategies aligned with EMF’s mission, programs, and growth goals.

• Oversee media relations, securing press coverage, feature articles, concert reviews, and interviews across print, digital, and broadcast platforms.

• Ensure consistent branding, messaging, and visual identity across all platforms, including website, social media, newsletters, and printed materials.

• Create, edit, and manage content for online and print communications, including promotional copy, e-newsletters, social media campaigns, press releases, and event announcements.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and audience engagement initiatives, providing regular reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

Audience Engagement & Partnerships:

• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, community partners, alumni, donors, and corporate sponsors to advance EMF’s visibility and reach.

• Represent EMF at public events, conferences, speaking engagements, and student recruitment activities.

• Coordinate photography, videography, and other media projects to document and promote EMF programs and performances.

• Lead audience development initiatives, including ticket sales campaigns, donor communications, and promotional events.

Administration & Operations:

• Supervise seasonal communications staff and interns, providing mentorship, training, and performance management.

• Oversee design, production, and distribution of seasonal publications, including EMF’s digital playbill, in collaboration with freelance designers, writers, and vendors.

• Manage the annual marketing and communications budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to achieve organizational objectives.

• Collaborate with artistic and administrative teams to ensure timely promotion of programs and smooth operational execution of marketing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Marketing, Communications, Arts Administration, or related field preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in marketing, media, public relations, or communications, preferably within performing arts or nonprofit organizations.

• Proven ability to plan and execute multi-channel marketing campaigns and communications strategies.

• Familiarity with classical music, arts education, or cultural institutions is strongly preferred.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, WordPress, social media management tools, MailChimp, and analytics platforms.

• Experience with photography, videography, and digital media production.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects and deadlines.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, mentor staff, and cultivate meaningful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Availability and willingness to work extended hours during the June–July festival season, as well as evenings and weekends for special events and meetings throughout the year.

Location

The Media & Communications Director will work on-site at EMF’s downtown Greensboro offices and must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the greater Triad area. Occasional overnight travel may be required but is infrequent.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary range: $60,000 – $75,000, commensurate with experience.

• Paid vacation and holidays.

• Employer-provided health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance plans.

• Flexible work hours.

• Annual employer-funded bonus of approximately 3% of base salary, based on organizational performance and board approval.

About Eastern Music Festival

Founded in 1961, Eastern Music Festival provides unmatched educational and artistic opportunities for talented, dedicated young musicians from across the United States and around the globe.

EMF’s approach to our students’ educational growth is distinctive, set apart by our commitment to hands-on, student-first learning. Our objective is to cultivate artistic growth and maturity in our students and assist them in their professional development as musicians and well-rounded members of the global art community. The festival’s curriculum is intense, and its performances and programs feature exhilarating repertoire, world-renowned visiting artists, and extensive community outreach. The festival’s teaching faculty is drawn from conservatories, universities, and orchestras around the world.

Our core festival programming (presented during our five-week festival each summer) features more than 60 concerts performed by our students, guest artists of remarkable talent, and our acclaimed faculty.

We are global ambassadors for Greensboro and a visible and respected educational institution. As budget and calendar allow, EMF presents additional and educational opportunities and programs throughout the year that are designed to foster audience engagement and growth.

To Apply

Send your résumé, cover letter, and portfolio or media samples (including writing, campaigns, or digital projects) to Chris Williams, Executive Director, at cwilliams@easternmusicfestival.org with “Media & Communications Director” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Eastern Music Festival is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or hiring process should contact Mary Reading, Director of Business Operations, at mreading@easternmusicfestival.org or 336-333-7450 x225.

Eastern Music Festival, Inc. jobs

Media and Communications Director