Pacific Symphony

Background:

Pacific Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the United States in the past 50 years and has earned national recognition for its adventurous programming, community engagement, and artistic growth. Founded in 1978, the Symphony has been led for 35 years by Carl St.Clair who is honored with the title of Music Director Laureate starting in the 2025-26 season. In 2024, Alexander Shelley was named Artistic and Music Director Designate for the 2025–26 season and will begin his full-time tenure in the 2026–27 season, marking a bold new chapter in the Symphony’s artistic evolution.  

With a purpose to lift the human spirit through the power of music, the Symphony is a pillar of the cultural landscape of Southern California, enriching lives and bringing communities together through creative and diverse programming. As the resident orchestra of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, the Symphony presents more than 100 concerts and events each year alongside a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages.

Pacific Symphony features an expansive range of programming through the Classical Series, the beloved Pops Series led by Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez, SummerFest at the Great Park outdoor venue in Irvine, and engaging Family Musical Mornings concerts for young children and their families. In its 47-year history, Pacific Symphony has gained national and international recognition, with recent highlights including a 2018 Carnegie Hall debut in celebration of composer Philip Glass; a five-city tour of China; and a PBS Great Performances broadcast of Peter Boyer’s “Ellis Island: The Dream of America.”

Pacific Symphony’s education and community engagement programs have been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, expanding access to orchestral music and fostering a lifelong connection to the arts. These include the Frieda Belinfante Class Act program, which enhances music education in elementary schools; arts-X-press, a summer arts program for middle school students; and Heartstrings, which brings free access to music to community members by partnering with local schools, nonprofits and social service agencies. Pacific Symphony also nurtures the next generation of musicians through its renowned youth ensembles, including the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, Youth Wind Ensemble, Santiago Strings, and Youth Concert Band. These groups have toured internationally, earned prestigious awards, and provided young artists with opportunities to excel.

By combining artistic excellence with a commitment to education and accessibility, Pacific Symphony continues to enrich lives, foster new talent, and create meaningful connections throughout Southern California. Its innovative programs ensure music remains a vital part of the community’s cultural fabric.

Position Summary:

The Senior Director of Integrated Marketing Campaigns for Subscriptions will lead the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns that increase brand awareness, drive ticket sales, deepen patron relationships, support fundraising efforts, grow audience loyalty, and expand audience acquisition and prospecting.

As a senior member of the Marketing and Communications team, the successful candidate will lead all subscription campaigns, drive branding initiatives, oversee creative development, database/CRM marketing and segmentation initiatives for acquisition and retention and collaborate across departments to grow subscription participation and audience loyalty.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Lead annual subscription campaigns for each of Pacific Symphony’s product lines across all live orchestral music categories.
   • Plan, develop, and execute marketing materials including brochures, posters, e-mails, advertisements, web pages, social media campaigns, including videos and other vehicles, for both retention and acquisition across owned, earned and paid media.
   • Use all appropriate channels for promoting Symphony programs, including digital, print, television, radio, social media, speaking engagements, collaborative partnerships, cross promotions, and grass-roots approaches.
   • Analyze pricing and venue mapping to create optimal revenue and loyalty generating structures.
   • Spearhead and serve as a staff liaison with outsourced telemarketing vendor; manage offers and incentives.
   • Develop new package and/or experiential offers that are relevant to evolving consumer tastes, including the current work-in-progress Membership subscription model.
   • Contribute actively to the budgeting process; produce ticket revenue projections in collaboration with team members; manage expenses budgets and sales projections.
   • Prepare strategies to compensate for any anticipated revenue shortfalls.
   • Keep detailed marketing and deadline calendars for all campaigns.
   • Track campaign KPIs and weekly reporting across owned, earned and paid media.  
2. Develop specific plans to systematically upgrade patron participation and loyalty
   • Execute strategic loyalty initiatives designed to drive increased engagement and patron delight.
   • Coordinate cross-departmental efforts to interpret results of patron building and retention goals and address identified priorities.
   • Help to set annual patron retention and growth goals for the institution and monitor progress against goals.
   • Create and execute team acquisition and prospecting initiatives to drive audience and revenue growth.
3. Oversee marketing creative assets, from conception through implementation
   • Work with internal designers/producers and outside vendors as necessary to develop program-related key art.
   • Guide direction of graphic design and video production for advertising.
   • Protect, enforce, and evolve Pacific Symphony’s brand; ensure all advertising adheres to branding guidelines.
4. Develop relevant partnerships with local businesses and cultural institutions to enhance awareness, increase audience engagement and drive retention.
5. Work concert duty (3-4 times per month, involving evening/weekend hours); work as a team member on department events and activities.

Salary Range:

$110,000-$120,000, commensurate with experience

Pacific Symphony offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package including retirement plan options, escalating paid vacation, sick, personal days and holidays, and health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts and employee assistance program.

Qualifications, Skills and Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business management, or related field. MBA a plus.
• A proven record of generating growth in subscription and/or membership revenue for a performing arts organization using database marketing techniques.
• 10-12+ years of demonstrated success in engaging audiences across owned, earned and paid media.
• Broad-based knowledge of the full range of integrated campaign and database marketing techniques and tools, including integration of digital, social media, and email marketing across owned, earned and paid marketing.
• Proficiency in Excel required.
• Proficiency in Tessitura CRM required with expertise in segmentation, list pulls and data hygiene.
• Strong planning and project management skills using project tools such as Asana or Monday.com.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and persuasion skills, with ability to present effectively internally and externally to peers and associates, as well as patrons, donors, and community businesses and government leaders.
• Well-organized and deadline-oriented, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Able to work both in structured and planned environment, as well as in situations where rapid response, ability to adjust priorities, and instant decision-making is required.
• Proven ability to manage and work with a diverse group of personalities.
• Highly creative storyteller, networker, and relationship builder.
• Ability to multi-task
• Knowledge of classical and other live orchestral genres is strongly preferred.

ZRG’S Commitment:

At ZRG, we do not just accept differences—we celebrate and support it. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital or partnership status, military or veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. ZRG is an equal opportunity employer and workplace, and we encourage applicants of all backgrounds & communities to apply.