Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

At Zach, we believe in the power of light—to illuminate new ideas, spark imagination, and bring people together. As Austin’s leading professional producing theater, we create vibrant, intimate theater experiences that engage, inspire, and connect our community. The Communications Manager reports to the Director of Marketing, Sales & Patron Experience and is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining communication strategies that support Zach Theater’s mission and brand. This is a fast-paced role that manages Zach’s voice across all external channels - from public relations and media engagement to digital content and storytelling, ensuring consistent, engaging, and effective messaging. The Communications Manager collaborates with the Marketing, Development, and Education teams to produce written materials, and a high volume of marketing and stewardship communications. They will also serve as the primary liaison to Zach’s external PR agency, coordinating media relations, press releases, and ensuring alignment of strategies and deliverables across all partners.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Brand & Messaging

• Maintain and evolve Zach Theater’s brand voice across all communications
• Develop and enforce internal written style guides, templates, and standards for brand consistency
• Collaborate with departments to ensure all external-facing materials align with brand and messaging strategy

Media Relations & Publicity

• Serve as the main liaison to Zach’s external PR agency, coordinating on press releases, media outreach, and institutional storytelling
• Draft institutional press releases, media advisories, talking points, and executive communications
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local and national media contacts, supplementing agency efforts as needed
• Coordinate interviews, media coverage, and appearances for leadership and artists in collaboration with the PR agency

Organizational Communications Coordination

• Develop and manage a comprehensive, organization-wide communications calendar that aligns marketing, development, and education messaging across all channels
• Coordinate the timing, frequency, and sequencing of communications to ensure clarity, consistency, and audience relevance
• Partner with cross-departmental stakeholders to plan campaigns and avoid message fatigue or overlap
• Create and maintain a system for audience segmentation that identifies key constituent groups (ticket buyers, donors, subscribers, parents, etc.) and tailors messaging accordingly
• Establish and refine processes for internal review and approval to ensure communications are aligned and strategically timed

Content Creation & Copywriting

• Write clear, compelling, and engaging content for newsletters, show descriptions, donor communications, website updates, and other materials
• Produce storytelling content (written) that showcases organizational impact, programs, and community engagement
• Support leadership with executive messaging, speeches, and crisis communications when needed
• Collaborate with Marketing, Development, and Education teams to build and deploy 3–8 unique emails per week
• Collaborate closely with the Digital Media Manager to ensure social media messaging and campaign copy reflect and reinforce Zach’s brand voice and communications strategy, sales, stewardship, and education initiatives.

Research & Reporting

• Monitor media coverage, audience sentiment, and communications trends
• Track outcomes of communication strategies and report on reach and effectiveness

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, Marketing, Advertising, Business or a related field
• 4+ years of communications, marketing, or public relations experience, preferably in performing arts, entertainment, or nonprofit organizations

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong copywriting and editing skills with attention to tone, grammar, and brand alignment
• Excellent relationship management and collaboration skills across departments
• Ability to translate organizational goals into compelling narratives
• Both strategic and hands-on; capable of managing details while maintaining big-picture perspective
• Resourceful problem-solver with a proactive, team-oriented mindset
• Strong working knowledge of project management software (Asana, Basecamp, Monday, etc.)
• Experience with CRM systems
• Experience managing external agencies
• Experience with email marketing software (WordFly, Mailchimp, Prospect2 etc.)
• Familiarity with Google Workspace and collaborative cloud tools
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated time management, prioritization, and multitasking abilities
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects and meeting deadlines
• Understanding of media relations and public relations best practices
• Familiarity with brand and style guide creation and enforcement
• Experience with analytics and reporting on communications performance
• Communicates effectively in both oral and written forms
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing
• Builds collaborative relationships
• Develops talent and teams
• Manages through processes and systems
• Accountability for people and budgets
• Deals with change effectively
• Ability to perform all work with a direct reflection of the vision, mission, and values of Zach Theater

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is a campus-based, on-site role with the opportunity to occasionally work remote. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions upon discussion with HR.

• Ability to push, pull, or maneuver up to 50 lbs repeatedly, alone or with assistance
• Perform computer-based work for long durations
• See details of art, photos, and designs at close range, and distinguish differences between colors, shades, and brightness
• Work in close proximity with other coworkers
• Must have reliable transportation and the ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends and holidays as required by the performance and event schedule
• The noise level in this work environment is typically moderate and can be high.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Director of Marketing, Sales & Patron Experience

Supervises (if any): N/A

Supports: Marketing, Development, and Education departments, as well as executive leadership

Peer collaboration/communicates with: All Zach theater departments and staff

PAY:

Beginning salary starting at $52,000-56,500 annually commensurate with experience and qualifications. New hires are typically brought into the organization between the minimum and midpoint of the range posted depending upon qualifications, years of experience in a similar role, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.

All offers of employment are conditional pending the successful completion of background and reference checks.

We’re excited to review your application. To ensure a smooth and fair hiring process, please apply online only. We’re not able to accommodate calls or in-person visits about this position.

Some of the great benefits available to Zach Employees:

• Affordable Healthcare Coverage for Full-Time Employees and their Dependents
• Employer Paid Life and AD&D insurance
• Employer Paid Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401K Matching Program
• Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time
• Paid Holidays
• Free Parking
• Tickets to Mainstage and Family Series shows and enrollment in Camps/Classes

Zach Theater is committed to ensuring an equitable and inclusive workforce and we strive for a team that reflects Austin’s diverse culture. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, sex or age.

Compensation details: 52000-56500 Yearly Salary

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