Director of Marketing – Interim

TITLE: Director of Marketing–Interim

SALARY: $80,000-$85,000 annually
CLASS: Full-Time Exempt
REPORTS TO: Executive Director/Curatorial Director

This is currently an Interim position with a minimum 1-year contract, with the possibility of becoming permanent.

Z Space empowers artistic risk, collaboration, and camaraderie amongst artists, audience, and community in the service of creating, developing, and presenting new work. Operating out of an old can factory in the Mission District of San Francisco, Z Space activates two performance spaces, an 85-seat intimate theater and a 236-seat flexible performance space, with a warehouse aesthetic and an adventurous edge. Eschewing traditional theater models with fixed seasons and a singular artistic vision, Z Space strives to embrace a multitude of artistic voices through a variety of programs and partnerships.


The Z Space Director of Marketing is responsible for the direction, oversight, and implementation of all activities associated with marketing Z Space and its affiliated programs. Working in close collaboration with Z Space Executive Leadership (Executive Director, Curatorial Director), the Co-Artistic Directors of Word for Word, the Director of Development, and Communications Manager, the DoM will also be a key partner in the development and execution of communications strategies across the organization for various constituents, including patrons, donors, community members, and artists. This position will co-manage the Communications Manager with the Director of Development.

Responsibilities include:

  • Audience Development, Research, and Outreach

    • Develop and adapt responsive public awareness strategies to elevate Z Space as an organization in various local and national markets

    • Build upon current audience and devise strategies to develop new audiences in targeted markets

    • Analyze critical marketing metrics and provide information that can be used to direct program growth

    • Develop evaluation process to make informed and ongoing iterative changes to campaigns and tactics, leveraging Google Analytics, Meta Ads, Mailchimp, AudienceView, and other reports

    Advertising, Media Strategy, and Public Relations

    • Develop cohesive marketing strategies across platforms in partnership with the communications team to earn ambitious annual ticket sales goals

    • Create annual and show-specific marketing plans to maximize ticket sales 

    • Create advertising plan and place media buys in print, internet outlets, outdoor, and other channels

    • Coordinate with publicist in providing content and information for press release 

    • Create and provide a fee-based marketing services package for clients

    • Serve as the primary interface with publicists, media reps, advertisers, and marketing contractors

    • Collaborate with Communications Manager on social media and email strategy

    • Collaborate with Communications Manager to develop and lead robust cross-promotion relationships

    • Manage paid and in-kind advertisements in show programs and external ads with peer organizations

    Branding, Identity, and Communications

    • In conjunction with the Curatorial and Executive Directors, develop long-term strategies for brand positioning that accurately reflect Z Space's unique mission and that excites and grows our audiences

    • Develop and adapt responsive public awareness strategies to elevate Z Space as an organization in various local and national markets

    • Develop and refine marketing channels, i.e., Website redesign, program redesign, onsite marketing, and others

    • Search for and build robust partnerships with outside organizations to maximize audience base for our diverse offerings

    • Collaborate with Development staff to ensure consistency and alignment in all public materials used for fundraising purposes including promotions, solicitations, stewardship, and campaigns

    Ticketing Systems

    • Build individual shows in ticketing system (AudienceView) for all productions

    • Model, analyze, and implement a data driven ticket pricing plan for all Z Space and Word for Word shows

    • Act as point person for all customer service inquiries regarding ticketing 

    • Evaluate the effectiveness of ticketing system annually

    • Track attendance and input survey data, as needed

    • Serve as organizational liaison for ticketing system and payment processing representatives

    Website, Online Systems, and Data Management

    • Leverage new technologies and create inventive approaches to marketing, audience engagement, and venue promotion

    • Create, maintain, and update show and organization information online at www.zspace.org, including regular updates to site content and enhancements to backend functionality and training support staff to carry out these functions as necessary

    • In collaboration with the Communications Manager, direct and implement strategies regarding our online presence through website, online ads, social media, and email newsletters

    Content and Design

    • Lead visual and narrative strategies for Z Space as a whole and for specific productions and programs of Z Space New Works, Word for Word, and Youth and Family Programming

    • Lead process and provide full scope project management functions for content creation, design, production, and distribution of all marketing and organizational materials, including digital and print

    • Create and manage approval processes for creation of all materials, including managing edits from various stakeholders and ensuring accuracy before final publication or print

    Budgeting and Revenue

    • Responsible for developing and monitoring annual marketing expense and income budget as well as individual campaign budgets

    • Provide regular sales reports and analysis for all productions and presentations at Z Space, including assisting in reconciliations with rental clients

    • Maintain up-to-date knowledge on earned revenue trends and recommend and deploy pricing models and promotions to maximize ticket revenue

    Desired Qualifications 

    • Minimum of five (5) years experience in marketing, ideally in the performing arts

    • Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects under tight deadlines and restricted budgets

    • Ability to collect data, analyze its significance, and apply it to ongoing strategies 

    • Exceptional written and verbal communications skills 

    • Strong creative, strategic, analytical, and organizational skills including a high attention to detail

    • Extensive knowledge of and experience with CRM’s, digital marketing platforms, and website functionality

    • Familiarity with inDesign, Photoshop, HTML, Filemaker Pro, and Microsoft Office

    • Commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace with the ability to demonstrate cultural competence and collaboration

    REQUIREMENTS:

    • Reliable daily attendance and punctuality 

    • Ability to work nights and weekends as needed 

    TO APPLY:

    Please email hiring@zspace.org with your cover letter and resume attached in one PDF document. Please also include one writing sample from a marketing campaign and one graphic design sample.

    This is a full-time exempt position with benefits including but not limited to health care, dental, and generous vacation accrual. Z Space is currently on a hybrid schedule with three (3) days in-office at our theater in San Francisco and two (2) days work from home. Due to the nature of Z Space programming, some work is required outside of regular business hours. Z Space is an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of its staff and strongly encourages any interested candidates to apply.