Vice President Communications

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President, Communications is responsible for leading corporate and employee communications, working to safeguard Dr. Phillips Center brand, and leading a team in the development and implementation of all communications strategies which support business and growth strategies. The VP will leverage their leadership skills and executive presence to partner with senior leaders to develop communication plans and provide strategic counsel on critical issues.

The Vice President will champion internal and external communications involving the Dr. Phillips Center including strategies, public and media relations, brand management, and all business communications. The Vice President will advance the organization regionally, nationally and globally.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development of communications Work Plans, materials, and activities to advance the company's brand, programming, institutional, educational and mission-driven efforts and connect these efforts to the company's vision, mission, values, strategy, and culture. Develops strategies, tactics and budgets to execute Work Plan.

• Develop communications and PR strategy to support organizational growth, enhance brand awareness and elevate brand positioning across media outlets, publications, and industry newsletters. Maintains a keen understanding of industry trends/issues and makes appropriate recommendations regarding communication strategy around them. Build relationships with thought-leaders to grow industry awareness.

• Provide insight and guidance on critical internal communications content around issues including but not limited to: fundraising, Board, local/state politics, social issues, DEI, innovation initiatives, etc. Foster and maintain positive relationships with community leaders, businesses and community-based organizations that support the arts center.

• Lead PR agency selection process as well as agency on-boarding. Manage agency relationship and deliverables.

• Advance strategic communications plan focused on communicating the company's vision and mission as part of its overall journey story. Support Arts for Every Life® by building brand advocacy internally through executive communications, enterprise storytelling and other communications efforts, helping to create excitement for the future and a sense of unity across colleagues, board members, donors, partners, and stakeholders. Ensures that all press releases and communications follow brand guidelines and adhere to the “voice” of the Dr. Phillips Center.

• Develop a cohesive message platform and compelling internal communications that effectively demonstrate how these efforts will further support achievement of the company’s strategy of becoming a globally recognized performance arts venue.

• Develop recommendations on colleague engagement and ambassador-building tactics, to bring colleagues along in the journey.

• Partner effectively across the organization and with key stakeholders to align communications to broader enterprise content.

• Identify awareness gaps and proactively develop communications solutions to increase understanding and adoption.

• Work closely with Marketing team in developing communication plans across paid media channels.

• Activate the Dr. Phillips Center’s vision and mission, as well as lead the development and implementation of short- and long-term strategic, operational, and financial marketing plans and calendar.

• Manage brand positioning/strategy across internal and external communication platforms, media and industry outlets to ensure a consistent brand voice across all touchpoints.

• Build and establish crisis management process working in collaboration with leadership and outside agencies and contractors.

• Cultivate and build positive, long-lasting relationships with the media (regional, national and international) inclusive of reporters, editors, bloggers and other media representatives. Manage and update the Dr. Phillips Center media list. Develop and pitch story ideas. Arrange general publicity and interviews. Prepares and distributes media kits, media alerts and press releases in accordance with Work Plan initiatives. Responds to media inquiries in a timely manner.

• Oversee and direct opening night activities, which may include cast party invitations for media and VIP’s, working the press table, coordinating cast/performer interviews, and managing media ticket requests. Escort media/cameras during performances as needed.

• Monitor, analyze and communicate Communications and PR results quarterly. Provide weekly updates on media plans. Attend and participate in all required meetings.

• Accountable for administrative responsibilities to include recruiting, scheduling, payroll, budgets and purchasing. Interviews, selects. trains, supervises, counsels, and evaluates performance of team for the efficient operation of the department. Schedules and directs team colleagues in their work assignments.

• Follow and support all operational policies and procedures. Assimilate into the arts center culture through understanding, supporting and demonstrating the core values.

• Maintain a professional and friendly relationship with other departments, colleagues, and partners.

• Able to remain calm under pressure. Ability to work effectively with internal and external customers, some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact, and diplomacy. Maintain Dr. Phillips Center standards of customer service at all times.

• Able to effectively communicate in English in both written and oral forms.

• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum 10-15 years of experience as a creative storyteller, copywriter, and content creator with an understanding of corporate brand tonality and how to convey messages.

• Experience leading and directing teams along with influencing and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

• Well-developed public relations, brand communications and consumer marketing experience, with demonstrated success in developing PR and comms strategies.

• Experience working with an integrated calendar, go to market creative, media plans, production, and advertising.

• Experience working across multiple media outlets, with strong relationships across publishing and broadcast outlets.

• Ability to work independently managing multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Ability to navigate through ambiguous situations with little direction. Excellent project management experience.

• Personal passion for the arts and arts education is a plus.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• This position requires the ability to work a variable schedule, evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet operational needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in the overall leadership and management of the Company as a member of our Senior Executive Team, including discussions regarding strategic, operational, and financial decisions
• Implement processes and procedures to support development and implementation of approved marketing and merchandising initiatives
• Lead, develop, and achieve strategic objectives for the Company
• Collaborate with leaders and staff sharing data, experience, and strategies to expand product offerings;
• Collaborate with technology partners to enhance the Company website, systems, and technology;
• Lead and drive all customer-facing communication efforts;
• Lead and drive sales growth, e-commerce, store traffic growth, customer engagement online, and continued growth of The Tile Shop brand
• Ownership of multi-million-dollar budgets for both the marketing and merchandising departments
• Identify both short-term and long-term budget strategies and resource needs that include development and management of vendors, consultants, traffic forecasting, expense analysis, forecasting, and other financial considerations
• Responsible for all aspects of the Marketing & Merchandising Departments, 15+ employees
• Collaborate with key partners to develop compelling, innovative visual merchandising presentations that engage consumers and drive business growth
• Maintain an awareness of general retail business and fashion trends and incorporate them into decision-making as appropriate
• Collaborate with multiple departments to continue to evolve and develop our product sampling program
• Identify and develop store presentation strategies to drive brand and annual business objectives/sales;
• Analyze store performance information to determine areas to improve product productivity through merchandising
• Lead and collaborate with the business team to uncover insights and strategies to develop and implement marketing and branding strategies for new and existing products both internally and externally
• Partner with the CIO to support technology initiatives that help create an enhanced customer experience or customer insights
• Lead and develop and lead paid media strategy, including digital channels, Omni-channel, social, search, traditional, and new media channels
• Lead vital marketing performance metrics and tracking tools to provide market research, forecasts, competitive analyses, campaign results, and consumer trends to translate results into actionable insights for the marketing team
• Lead quarterly insight efforts on customer demand, customer behavior, and customer insights
• Partner closely with Pro Marketing Team to manage effective schedules, campaign structures, targeting, and goals
• Lead marketing team to continue building and growing brand guidelines in partnership with key functional areas across the Company
• Lead Marketing and Merchandising presentations during quarterly Board of Directors meetings
• Lead the development of Public Relations and Editorial strategy with key support partners and key outside Agencies/vendors
• Lead marketing and support efforts to retain and grow B2B customer segment, consistently identifying revenue opportunities within our established client base
• Lead development and strategy for product marketing support strategies, including new product launches and go-to-marketing strategies
• Lead business priorities and overall messaging, content, and user experience for the company website with the objective of using the website as a tool to build brand awareness of the Company, its products, and services
• Lead and develop e-commerce content and experiences that drive customer engagement and loyalty and act as a tool to provide a seamless customer experience, ultimately connecting the customer to our physical stores
• Licensing
• All other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or a related field
• Advanced knowledge of digital media KPIs
• Advanced/Intermediate Excel knowledge
• 10+ years’ experience building or growing an Omni-channel brand
• 10+ years in managing or leading digital media strategies for multiple channels and mediums
• 10+ years managing multi-million-dollar budget
• 10+ years leading, coaching, and developing a team
• 10+ years leading business objectives for a retailer and/or business-to-business customer segment
• Excellent written and verbal communicator
• Strong attention to detail
• Great time management and multi-tasking skills
• Customer-first mindset
• Resilient and adaptable under pressure in a fast past environment
• Uses sound judgment
• Willing to work hard with the team and collaborate cross-functionally
• Critical thinker who values the work they create
  
  

Additional Information

Hybrid Work Policy

The Tile Shop considers hybrid and remote employee options viable, flexible work options when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Hybrid and remote work options are not an entitlement and in no way change the terms and conditions of employment with The Tile Shop. Senior Leaders of the Tile Shop must be on-site at our corporate location 3 days a week.

At The Tile Shop, we are committed to developing the WHOLE you, not just the WORK you. Our benefits program is our investment in you as an important contributor to our success, and we are proud of our highly competitive package.

• Competitive Pay
• Individual Career Growth Opportunities
• Competitive & Comprehensive Benefit Package
• HSA Employer Contributions
• 401(k) Plan with employer matching
• Team Focused Work Environment

The Tile Shop is an Equal Opportunity Employer.