LA Opera seeks a strategic, data-driven Director of Marketing to lead revenue-generating campaigns that increase ticket sales, strengthen customer retention, and deepen engagement among existing audiences. Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing, Communications and IT, this role will guide marketing strategy for productions, season packages, audience loyalty efforts, and targeted sales campaigns.
The Director of Marketing will work closely with the Creative Director and the Director of PR/Communications to ensure that campaigns are strategically focused, creatively compelling, and consistent across channels. This is a hands-on leadership role for a marketer who understands how to use audience data, segmentation, messaging, offers, and timing to motivate purchase behavior and encourage repeat attendance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and execute marketing strategies that drive ticket sales, package sales, renewals, repeat attendance, and patron loyalty.
- Lead integrated campaigns for productions, subscriptions/packages, special offers, and audience retention initiatives.
- Use CRM data, sales reports, audience segmentation, digital analytics, and campaign results to guide strategy and optimize performance.
- Identify opportunities to increase engagement and purchase frequency among existing ticket buyers, subscribers, lapsed patrons, and high-potential audience segments.
- Partner with the Creative Director on campaign concepts, creative briefs, and marketing assets that motivate action.
- Collaborate with the Director of PR/Communications to align campaign messaging, content priorities, media opportunities, and public-facing communications.
- Oversee marketing activity across email, website, paid digital, direct mail, print, social, search, in-venue, and partner channels.
- Manage campaign calendars, budgets, timelines, approvals, vendors, and cross-functional workflows.
- Supervise and support assigned marketing staff, fostering collaboration, accountability, and high-quality execution.
- Prepare concise reports on campaign performance, sales trends, audience behavior, risks, and opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS
- At least 7 years of progressively responsible marketing experience, preferably in live events such as arts, entertainment, sports, or hospitality.
- Demonstrated success developing marketing campaigns that drive measurable sales, retention, attendance, loyalty, or customer engagement.
- Strong understanding of CRM-driven marketing, audience segmentation, email marketing, paid media, direct mail, website strategy, content planning, and campaign analytics.
- Proven ability to interpret sales and audience data and translate insights into actionable campaigns.
- Excellent writing, editing, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage timelines, budgets, approvals, vendors, and competing priorities.
- Experience supervising staff and working effectively with creative, communications, sales, data, ticketing, and executive colleagues.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and a respectful workplace.
- Curiosity about opera, music, theater, live performance, or the arts.
LOCATION & SCHEDULE
This is a full-time staff position based at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. LA Opera currently offers hybrid work flexibility, subject to organizational needs and departmental schedules. This role requires occasional evening and weekend work tied to performances, events, campaign launches, and organizational priorities.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The anticipated salary range for this position is $130,000-$135,000. This position is eligible for LA Opera’s comprehensive benefits package, which may include medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and long-term disability coverage; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match; cell phone stipend; Employee Assistance Program; subsidized parking or public transit reimbursement; and complimentary and discounted performance tickets.
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY
LA Opera is committed to a workplace in which everyone has equitable opportunities and experiences a sense of belonging. We are seeking a Director of Marketing who champions and demonstrates this commitment. Applicants from groups underrepresented in arts administration are especially encouraged to apply.
LA Opera is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any legally protected categories.
TO APPLY
Please apply here. If you do not meet every qualification listed above but believe your experience and skills would enable you to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply and tell us more about yourself in your cover letter.
ABOUT LA OPERA
LA Opera is a mission-driven nonprofit organization that plays a vital role in the cultural life of Southern California. Our employees and artists bring world-class opera to life while preserving, promoting, and advancing the art form in ways that reflect the diversity, creativity, and pioneering spirit of Los Angeles.
Each year, more than 100,000 audience members experience our productions at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. We reach thousands more through community and school programs and Off Grand performances presented at venues throughout Los Angeles.