Public Relations and Communications Manager

Marcus Performing Arts Center; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A vibrant cultural organization based in Milwaukee, WI, is seeking a Public Relations and Communications Manager to enhance its public image and manage media relations. Ideal applicants should have at least 5 years of relevant experience, outstanding writing skills, and a proven track record of successful PR campaigns. This hybrid role emphasizes collaboration with various teams and requires the ability to generate engaging content for diverse channels, aiming to elevate community awareness and ticket sales.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years’ experience in public relations, communications, or a related field, preferably within the arts or nonprofit sector.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; outstanding writing and editing skills.
• Foundational understanding of communication principles, media relations, and marketing strategies is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and positively position the public image of the Marcus Performing Arts Center.
• Build and maintain relationships with local and national media representatives.
• Generate compelling content for press releases, blog posts, and social media.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Writing and editing

Communication principles

Media relations

Project management

Education

5+ years in public relations or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Established in 1969, the Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is the premier performing arts community gathering space in southeastern Wisconsin. As a Milwaukee County-owned facility (managed and operated by the Marcus Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit organization), MPAC’s mission is to act as an energizing force that connects the community to the world through collaboration, innovation, social engagement, and the transformative power of live performing arts. MPAC is home to a variety of resident companies including Milwaukee Ballet, The Florentine Opera, First Stage, and Black Arts MKE and is also a dedicated veterans memorial in Milwaukee.

Serving more than 300,000 audience members annually, MPAC presents a diverse mix of cultural arts programming, including touring Broadway shows, dance, jazz, global music, and other live performances, as well as community events. MPAC provides high-quality arts education and engagement experiences and is committed to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) focusing on representation, inclusion, and investment to build bridges between diverse members of the community.

Role Description

This is a full‑time hybrid role for a Public Relations and Communications Manager based in Milwaukee, WI, with opportunities for partial work‑from‑home arrangements. Working with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications and the marketing team, the Public Relations and Communications Manager is responsible for maintaining and positively positioning the public image of the Marcus Performing Arts Center through local, national, and international media placements, new media, self‑generated content and storytelling, and by influencing a range of platforms including the Center’s social media and website. This person is also responsible for day‑to‑day media operations and the execution and monitoring of earned media placements in accordance with institutional branding to result in increased awareness of, and engagement with a fostered larger audience base and increased ticket sales and community awareness.

The Public Relations and Communications Manager will also work directly with artist management and the Marcus Center’s Programming and Education and Marketing teams to create artistic and program announcements, leveraging publicity opportunities, driving media cultivation, and determining positioning of institutional news and issues.

• Work with the Marketing team, and external PR partners, coordinate the implementation of messaging across paid, earned, and owned channels.
• Build and maintain relationships with local and national media representatives to secure coverage for events and initiatives.
• Generate compelling content for press releases, blog posts, and social media that articulates the organization’s mission and events.
• Pitch stories to journalists that highlight the organization's impact on the community and the arts.
• Contribute to and generate new ideas that will continue to elevate MPAC’s presence in the community via a variety of outreach and communication channels.
• Analyze the effectiveness of public relations campaigns through metrics and reporting to assess impact and make data‑driven decisions.
• Research and write news releases, pitches, statements, and talking points for the media.
• Continuously explore new platforms, practices and strategies to broaden MPAC’s visibility and engagement with its stakeholders, the media and the general public.
• Serve as project lead on the creation of MPAC’s show programs (print and digital).
• Develop and implement crisis communication strategies to address potential public relations emergencies.
• Provide media training to staff and artists to prepare them for interviews and public appearances.
• Serve as first line of contact on issues management topics and assist with crisis communications.
• Provide timely external communication counsel to MPAC’s executive leadership team.
• Identify internal and external resources needed to complete projects.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with external vendors.
• Coordinate media ticket requests for shows, greet media and attend performances as needed to ensure effective relationship building.
• Increase public awareness and understanding of MPAC’s commitment to inclusive arts programs, education impact, community engagement through earned media coverage, institutional content and digital and print channels and publications.
• Maintain archive of press releases, photo and video assets for quick reference and historical purposes.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of five years’ experience public relations, communications, or a related field, preferably within the arts or nonprofit sector.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; outstanding writing and editing skills.
• Foundational understanding of communication principles, media relations, and marketing strategies is crucial.
• Hands‑on experience with media outlets and managing press coverage.
• Proven track record of creating and implementing successful PR campaigns.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and stakeholders efficiently.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to collaborate, cooperate, interpret, and communicate information that is not always straightforward – and is sometimes received at on a short turnaround timeline.
• Ability to compose, write, and edit documents with appropriate grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, clarity, and creativity.
• Ability to proofread and correct written work.
• Ability to collaborate, cooperate, convince, persuade, probe, negotiate, position, and communicate information in a presentation/public setting.
• Ability to adapt to changes in programing, timelines and schedules.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word).
• High degree of sensitivity for confidentiality.