Managing Director, Brand Strategy & Communications

About San Francisco Ballet San Francisco Ballet embodies the spirit of its city: innovative, forward-thinking, and unafraid to challenge convention. Founded in 1933, the company has long understood that ballet's power lies in its ability to blend timeless tradition with modern relevance — from presenting America's first full-length productions of Nutcracker and Swan Lake to consistently pushing the boundaries of contemporary choreography. Under the artistic direction of Tamara Rojo and executive leadership of Branislav Henselmann, SF Ballet is leading boldly into a new era, where artistic vision, organizational momentum, and civic energy converge to create a genuinely rare moment of opportunity. The company is reimagining what ballet can be, and making the case that its most compelling chapter is still ahead. Role Overview The Managing Director of Brand Strategy & Communications leads SF Ballet's brand identity, communications, media relations, digital content strategy, and creative production. Reporting to the Chief Revenue & Growth Officer (CRGO), this role is the organization's lead brand and communications authority — building and sustaining the institutional reputation, visibility, and narrative that underpin all channels. It provides the storytelling and positioning infrastructure that supports both earned and contributed income strategies and growth, working in close partnership with marketing colleagues to ensure that content serves both reputational goals and sales effectiveness, and with the philanthropy team to ensure that brand and communications work actively to support fundraising strategy. Primary Responsibilities Brand Strategy & Positioning Lead and steward SF Ballet's institutional brand — identity, voice, messaging architecture, and standards — ensuring consistency across all touchpoints and constituencies. Lead competitive positioning and differentiation strategy, including brand health monitoring and ongoing market analysis. Build the institutional narrative that connects SF Ballet's artistic vision to its audiences, donors, and community, including the Comprehensive Enterprise Strategy (CES) messaging framework. Develop and manage brand partnerships that extend SF Ballet's reach and visibility, in collaboration with the Director of Strategic Partnerships as appropriate. Media and Public Relations Lead a proactive, multi-platform media strategy that builds SF Ballet's national and international profile and advances the Artistic Director's visibility. Personally manage key editorial relationships and high-stakes media situations; serve as primary liaison to SF Ballet's external communications agency, overseeing agency scope, direction, and deliverables. Develop and manage media partnerships that serve both earned revenue and brand goals, working in close coordination with the Senior Director of Audience Development & Earned Revenue. Lead crisis communications planning and response; develop thought leadership strategies in partnership with the Executive Director and Artistic Director. Integrated Communications & Editorial Lead organization-wide communications strategy — including executive messaging, Board communications, stakeholder communications, and internal communications — ensuring consistency and alignment with institutional priorities. Develop and maintain the messaging frameworks and editorial content that serve as the foundation for communications across all teams and channels. Oversee the editorial and creative production of the program book, annual report, newsletters, and other institutional publications. Oversee the development of campaign communications, fundraising materials, and event promotion content in support of the philanthropy team's goals. Digital Strategy & Website Set SF Ballet's digital strategy across social media, website, and content platforms, with clear performance targets and accountability for results. Oversee the website — including content strategy, user experience, and editorial standards — in partnership with marketing on season promotion and ticket buyer engagement. Direct content creation and storytelling that deepens audience connection, advances institutional priorities, and provides the narrative foundation for revenue‑driving campaigns across all channels. Creative Services Oversee creative production — photography, video, graphic design, and print — setting quality standards and ensuring brand integrity across all output. Manage creative vendor relationships and ensure brand assets are current, accessible, and fit for both institutional and sales‑facing use across the organization. Secondary Responsibilities Communications support for Education and community programs Co‑liaise with CRGO to plan and present at Board Marketing Committee meetings Employee communications in coordination with Human Resources Departmental budget management; regular reporting on brand and communications performance to the CRGO Cross‑Functional Collaboration The defining peer relationship is with the Senior Director of Audience Development & Earned Revenue. The two roles coordinate closely on content strategy, campaign timing, creative development, and performance data to ensure communications serves both institutional reputation and direct sales goals. This role is equally accountable to the philanthropy team. The MD of Campaign & Individual Philanthropy depends on it for campaign communications, case materials, and donor cultivation narrative. The MD of Institutional Philanthropy & Engagement depends on it for event promotion, institutional communications, and partner recognition materials. Brand and communications function as a shared resource across the entire Revenue & Growth team. Additional partnerships include Artistic leadership on creative vision and public narrative, and Operations and Education on patron-facing and community communications. Team Leadership Leads directors and managers across PR, Digital Strategy & Social Media, Creative Services, and Communications. Responsible for hiring, performance management, and professional development. Builds a team with shared standards for creative excellence, editorial rigor, and brand consistency. Qualifications 12+ years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or brand management; performing arts or cultural organization experience strongly preferred 7+ years leading communications or brand teams with demonstrated success building institutional brand presence and securing significant media coverage Proven ability to align brand and content strategy with revenue goals in close partnership with earned revenue and philanthropy functions Experience developing brand and media partnerships; familiarity with the intersection of PR and marketing in a cultural organization context Experience managing agency relationships and creative vendor partnerships Strong digital fluency across content platforms, social media, website strategy, and editorial content development Familiarity with CRM systems (Tessitura preferred) and how communications integrates with revenue strategy Knowledge of the San Francisco Bay Area cultural landscape preferred Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Communications, Journalism, or related field preferred Physical Requirements Regular evening and weekend attendance at performances and events Ability to work extended hours during peak campaign and production periods Occasional travel for media, agency, and industry engagements Occasional unassisted lifting to 40 lbs. Application Procedure We prefer you apply online San Francisco Ballet Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to employing a diverse staff. Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for the position in accordance with the Fair Chance Ordinance (FCO). #J-18808-Ljbffr San Francisco Ballet