Communications Manager for Heartbeat Opera
DESCRIPTION
Heartbeat Opera, “a categorically imaginative company” (The New Yorker) that has “already contributed more to opera’s vitality than most major American opera companies,” (New York Times) is seeking for a Communications Manager to lead our external communications for our 12th Season.
We are seeking a dynamic, detail-oriented, and creative collaborator to manage Heartbeat’s marketing, digital presence, communications, brand storytelling, and design management. The Communications Manager is a key member of our small but mighty team, reporting directly to the Executive Director and the Artistic Director.
This is a hybrid position based in New York City, with regular in-office presence and required attendance at all technical rehearsals, performances, and fundraising events.
Position Summary
We love making Heartbeat’s day-to-day working vibe as fun, radical, and intensely artistic as our shows, and we are looking for a highly organized and motivated Communications Manager to join our tight-knit team. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional with outstanding writing and communication skills, a creative passion for storytelling, and a keen ability to manage timelines, content, and multiple projects at once. The Communications Manager will collaborate closely with Heartbeat’s artists, contractors, front-of-house staff, producers and press agent. Applicants may be considered for full-time or part-time engagement depending on experience.
Responsibilities
Strategic Communications & Branding
Own Heartbeat Opera’s voice across all platforms and media.
Create and manage a comprehensive communications calendar, ensuring all messaging is timely, consistent, and aligned with the company’s artistic and institutional goals.
Draft and distribute newsletters (MailChimp), including copywriting, layout, image selection, proofreading, and mailing list management, segmentation, and strategy.
Maintain and update Heartbeat’s website (Squarespace).
Collaborate with the Artistic and Executive Directors on messaging strategies.
Manage and respond to general email inquiries (info@heartbeatopera.org).
Manage the budget for the Marketing Department, including negotiations with all marketing contractors.
Press & Publicity
Coordinate with the Press Representative on press releases, outreach, and interviews.
Track and archive press coverage.
Supervise and attend press events, photo calls, and video shoots.
Digital Marketing & Social Media
Oversee all social channels (Instagram, Facebook, etc.), including strategy, scheduling, content creation, posting, engagement, and analytics.
Produce engaging content (written, visual, and video) to amplify Heartbeat’s productions, artists, and mission.
Manage strategy and implementation of social media ads via meta/instagram, including full knowledge of backend systems, and managing budget.
Monitor digital trends and leverage them to grow engagement.
Collaborate with artists and collaborators to boost cross-platform promotion.
Ticketing & Audience Engagement
Serve as communications liaison with ticketing teams during production periods.
Manage ticket allocations with TodayTix, TDF, and other platforms; track sales and capacity; implement comp/discount strategies.
Collaborate on outreach to students, community groups, and interest-based organizations to expand audience participation.
Graphic Design & Collateral
Maintain Heartbeat’s high standards for visual materials.
Design smaller, day-to-day graphics (social, email, ads) or liaise with external designers for key-art and branding projects.
Oversee production of all marketing collateral, including programs, mailers, signage, and digital graphics.
Team Management
Supervise a seasonal intern and manage contractors, including press rep, designers, merch vendors, videographers, photographers, and editors.
Coordinate timelines and deliverables across freelance teams.
Institutional Storytelling
Strengthen Heartbeat’s identity through compelling storytelling.
Contribute to videos, sizzle reels, and other special projects.
Organizational Culture
Uphold Heartbeat’s commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
Participate in team meetings, community agreements, and strategic planning.
Support Heartbeat events, including galas and soirées.
Ideal Candidate
This role is ideal for a communications professional who has worked in marketing, press, or digital departments within the performing arts and is ready to step into a leadership role.
The ideal candidate:
Excels at writing, editing, and digital storytelling
Is comfortable with press coordination
Thinks strategically about audience engagement
Thrives under deadlines and manages multiple priorities with ease
Has excellent interpersonal skills for collaboration across teams
Passionate about the performing arts and about connecting audiences to live performance
They should enjoy managing social media campaigns, creating content, and analyzing trends. The workload will fluctuate with the production calendar, requiring flexibility and clear communication.
Preferred technical experience:
MailChimp and email marketing best practices
Squarespace and website management
Canva or other graphic design applications
FinalCut Pro or other video editing software
Institutional social media and analytics
Google Suite
Basic familiarity with ticketing systems (Ovation, AudienceView, Universe, Patron Manager)
Coordinating with press reps and designers
Compensation & Work Culture
$55,000–$60,000 annually (full-time) or $25–$30/hour (part-time), commensurate with experience
Generous paid time off and vacation schedule (for full-time staff)
Health reimbursement available (for full-time staff)
Hybrid work structure: 2–3 days/week in the office and required presence at all tech, performances, and fundraising events
Heartbeat Opera is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a more equitable and inclusive future in the opera world, both on and off stage. We actively welcome and encourage all candidates, and specifically folks from equity-seeking groups, to apply for this position.
Desired Start Date: September 1, 2025
BENEFITS
Pay Range: $55,000 - $60,000 Annual
Generous paid time off and vacation schedule (for full-time staff)
Health reimbursement available (for full-time staff)
- Hybrid work structure: 2–3 days/week in the office and required presence at all tech, per
HOW TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter (1 page max) and résumé to jobs@heartbeatopera.org with “Communications Manager” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please include examples of marketing/communications work, your skills and experience, and what you can bring to this role. Links to a portfolio or samples of work are welcome. Join us in shaping the future of opera!
Application Deadline: September 1, 2025
Application Email/Link: www.heartbeatopera.org/jobs