Director of Marketing & External Affairs

Position Overview

HERE Arts Center seeks a strategic Director of Marketing & External Affairs to lead our marketing and development initiatives, serving as the primary liaison between the organization and our external community of supporters, patrons, artists, and media. This senior leadership role combines strategic marketing expertise with fundraising leadership to advance HERE Arts Center’s mission of supporting innovative contemporary performance and fostering artistic excellence.

The Director of Marketing & External Affairs will develop and execute comprehensive campaigns that both promote our programming and cultivate philanthropic support, while managing a distributed team of specialists to ensure sustainable growth and enhanced visibility for the organization.

Reports to: All Co-Directors

Annual Salary: $70k + HERE’s standard benefits

Paid: biweekly on Fridays

Status: Exempt

Marketing & Communications (60%)

• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies, including calendar, timelines, and goals, to promote HERE Arts Center’s performances, events, and civic programs
• Work cross-departmentally and with consultants to drive annual box office ticket sales, tracking progress against goals and adjusting strategies as needed to ensure targets are met
• Manage digital marketing initiatives including website content, social media platforms, email campaigns, paid online advertising, and cross-promotion. 
• With support from marketing staff, create compelling marketing materials including brochures, press releases, program notes, and promotional content
• Coordinate media relations and press outreach to secure earned media coverage in print, digital, and broadcast outlets
• Oversee audience development strategies to grow and diversify attendance across all programming
• Analyze marketing metrics and audience data to optimize campaign effectiveness and ROI
• Collaborate with co-directors and creative teams to develop messaging that accurately represents creative vision while appealing to target audiences

Development & Fundraising (40%)

• Design and execute annual fundraising campaigns focused on individual donor cultivation and corporate sponsorship.
• Manage donor database and maintain detailed records of all development activities and communications. 
• Develop prospect portfolios for Co-Directors and implement moves management pathways through the donor development cycle. 
• Manage and execute donor acknowledgements
• Plan and execute fundraising events including galas, intimate donor gatherings, and cultivation and stewardship activities. Send invitations and thank you follow ups for each event. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with major donors, board members, and community stakeholders
• Create compelling case statements and fundraising materials that articulate organizational impact and need
• Coordinate with finance team to ensure accurate gift processing and donor acknowledgment systems

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Develop integrated campaigns that simultaneously advance marketing and fundraising objectives
• Supervise and coordinate external team including part-time graphic designer, part-time press representative, and third-party digital advertising firm
• Collaborate with artistic and administrative staff to align external messaging with organizational priorities
• Represent HERE Arts Center at community events, networking functions, and industry conferences
• Support board development and engagement initiatives
• Monitor industry trends in both arts marketing and nonprofit fundraising to inform strategic planning

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in arts marketing, nonprofit development, or comparable field with demonstrated leadership responsibilities
• Demonstrated success in both marketing campaign development and fundraising achievement
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to craft compelling narratives for diverse audiences
• Proficiency in CRM systems, email marketing platforms, social media management tools, and basic graphic design software
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent campaigns and deadlines
• Experience managing freelance professionals and external vendors
• Knowledge of contemporary performance arts and cultural sector trends
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of external relations

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in relevant field
• Experience working specifically with performing arts organizations or experimental/contemporary arts venues
• Bilingual capabilities 
• Experience with major donor cultivation and stewardship ($1,000+ gifts)
• Familiarity with arts funding landscape including NEA, state arts councils, and private foundations
• Background in event planning and production
• Google Analytics and social media advertising experience

Personal Attributes

• Passionate advocate for contemporary and experimental performance
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort in startup-like environment
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build authentic relationships
• Creative problem-solver who thrives in collaborative, fast-paced settings
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities
• Natural leader with experience directing distributed teams and external partnerships
• Comfortable representing the organization publicly and serving as institutional spokesperson

Compensation & Benefits

HERE Arts Center offers a salary of $70,000 annually, and a full benefit program, which currently includes:

1. Unlimited Paid Time Off;
2. Medical insurance; 
3. Access to dental and vision insurance;
4. Access to a 403b account;
5. Access to pretax transit benefit account;
6. Professional development opportunities;
7. Complimentary tickets to HERE Arts Center productions;

To Apply

Please email the following materials to jobs@here.org, with the subject line “Director of Marketing & External Affairs Application.”

• Resume
• Cover Letter (max. 1 page) or Short Video (max. 4 minutes) detailing your interest in the position and your relevant experience. 
• A work sample of a marketing plan or successful campaign you’ve previously developed. This example should demonstrate your sense of strategy and creativity, as well as clear and compelling communication skills.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For best consideration, apply by July 9, 2025.

Interns at HERE are at the center of the very busy operation of running a non-profit theatre organization and all producing activities. Although interns must specify an area of interest, they are asked to assist in other areas throughout the internship. Interns are often given the opportunity to work with HERE’s resident artists on their productions. They are also able see any HERE productions free of charge and have access to other perks that are made available to the HERE staff. HERE does not currently have any paid internships open. We do accept submissions for interns that can receive credit or paid stipends from their college/university. HERE does not offer any unpaid internships. 

To apply for internships:
Please send a résumé and letter of interest to internships@here.org or to the attention of the Intern Coordinator, HERE 145 Sixth Ave, New York, NY 10013. You must specify an area of interest.

HERE interns must be willing to work 15-20 hours per week. Internship application deadlines are rolling: Please apply 3 months–6 weeks prior to your desired start date.

Programming Assistant works closely with the Artistic Directors. An ideal candidate is an emerging director interested in becoming an Artistic Director in the future. The assistant is involved in all aspects of the Artistic Director’s working process:
• initial review of artist applications for our HERE Artist Residency Program (HARP), HEREArt exhibitions, and Sublet Series
• review and writing up analysis of work samples – video, scripts, live performances
• participate in the panel process for both HARP and HEREart
• assist with programming calendar, scheduling weekly appointments and performances
• communication and coordination with our resident artists

Marketing Assistants are fully integrated into the marketing department, and the promotion of the artists and productions at HERE. They will work primarily with the Marketing Manager and the Marketing Associate. They participate in the conception and launch of all marketing strategies including creating print and web advertisements, social media contests, offers and content development, maintaining the website, distributing postcards, organizing mailing list exchanges, and helping to designing program and lobby displays. They must have strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and preferably possess some experience with either graphic design software or basic HTML.

General Management/Administration Assistants will assist the General Manager and Assistant General Manager in finance and budget management, box office settlements and reconciliations, drafting contracts for artists and productions, company management duties including hospitality arrangements and comp/house seat coordination, general operations, and other administrative tasks as needed. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to learn how to produce a show from the ground up, including learning about early stage fundraising, development, budgeting and contracting for productions.

Video Production Assistants will assist the marketing department in producing video content for HERE. Interns will help shoot interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and special events, and will also edit the footage for distribution as short online videos. They must have strong Final Cut Pro skills, experience shooting digital video, and a sample of prior editing work in a documentary format (can be short/web-based). 20 hours/week; interns may work 10 hrs/wk from home if they have their own computer and editing software.

Development Assistants will support the development department by maintaining donor data, facilitating donor acknowledgement, and conducting prospect research. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong attention to detail, the ability to stay focused in a busy environment, and thrive at working independently. This is a great opportunity for those looking to gain experience with non-profit arts fundraising and to understand the relationship between financial development and season programming. This role requires at least 12 hours per week with the option for flexible remote work. To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to developmentdept@here.org.

Production Assistants will receive hands-on training in all areas of technical theatre (sound, lighting, carpentry, video, and costumes), in the form of load-ins, strikes, and providing assistance to the shows running in our two theatres. They work primarily with the Production Manager and Technical Director. They also assist with basic office duties, such as running errands, organization and cleaning of office spaces, creating documents, etc. We also accept interns to work solely on a specific production, acting as an assistant to a member of the production staff. Duties for this  include being in rehearsals and working backstage for tech and performances. Experience in technical theatre is a plus, but is not necessary. Hours vary .

Performance Technical Assistants will be assigned to a specific show coming into our theatres and work with them from load-in to strike. The HERE production staff will teach them how to work all of the equipment in the theatre, and then they will serve as a board operator for that show. This is a great way to learn the inner workings of a show and allow you to feel more involved with a performance. It also allows the technical assistant to increase their résumé. Hours vary , depending on the tech and performance schedule of each show. Some technical theatre experience required.

ABOUT HERE

HERE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in our hiring process, as well as in all areas of our work.

HERE strives to create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive home in which all people have fair access to the resources they need to realize their visions. We acknowledge structural inequities that exclude individuals and communities from opportunities based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography, and seek to counter those inequities in our work. Through mindful actions on sustainability and regenerative practices, we work toward climate justice, and a safe, livable planet for present and future artmakers and audiences.

BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and differently-abled individuals are strongly urged to apply. We also encourage applications from those who may not have conventional resumes.

The minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees at HERE is $16.50 per hour per New York state law.

From our home in Lower Manhattan, HERE builds an inclusive community that nurtures artists of all backgrounds as they disrupt conventional expectations to create innovative performances in theatre, dance, music, puppetry, media, and visual art. By providing these genre-blending artists with an adaptive, flexible home for developing and producing their work, we share a range of perspectives reflective of the complexity of our city. HERE welcomes curious audiences to witness groundbreaking performances, responsive to the world in which we live, at free and affordable prices.

HERE strives to create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive home in which all people have fair access to the resources they need to realize their visions. We acknowledge structural inequities that exclude individuals and communities from opportunities based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography, and seek to counter those inequities in our work. Through mindful actions on sustainability and regenerative practices, we work toward climate justice, and a safe, livable planet for present and future artmakers and audiences.

HERE’s venues and offices are located at 145 6th Avenue, New York, NY 11013. 

HERE’s legal name is the Home for Contemporary Theater & Art Ltd. dba HERE and HERE Arts Center.