Manager, Communications

Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Manager, Communications is responsible for developing highly creative, effective, and visible media relations and publicity campaigns, maintaining regular communication with media and internal stakeholders, and working as the lead media relations liaison to assigned programs.

The position is output-intensive and results-driven, encompassing year-round strategic publicity alongside interdepartmental communications. This role will play a crucial role in publicizing the Sundance Institute, including various programs, including the Sundance Film Festival, local Utah screening series and outreach, artist programs, and more. The position will be responsible for annually hiring, training, and managing the seasonal Festival Press Office employees.

Working directly under the Director, Communications, and with a dotted line of collaboration to the CCO, the Manager also supports departmental communications and spearheads process implementation. This full-time position is based out of the greater Salt Lake City, UT, Los Angeles, CA or New York, NY areas to work onsite in a hybrid capacity as needed. There will be ample opportunity for remote work on a day-to-day basis. Extended hours, including evenings and weekends, will be required at key points throughout the year, and this position will also travel to other Institute offices and events on occasion.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…
• Managing all media communications for assigned programs, including researching and gathering information, drafting media materials, and creating and executing a strategy to engage targeted outlets and writers.
• Training and management of an expanded seasonal team for the Festival employees and overseeing Festival Press Office operations, including leading up to and on-site at the Festival.
• Handling key elements of Sundance Film Festival publicity implementation, including managing materials, announcements, data and statistics, press coordination, coverage reporting, and internal alignment.
• Creating and refining systems for the operations of the press team alongside and in collaboration with other departments with interdependencies.
• Crafting storytelling across film, television, tech, and related areas of focus through various mediums.
• Leading Utah media relations, managing press relationships and creating strategies around local, year-round programs and initiatives.
• Securing and covering interviews for Sundance Institute leaders and key employees, including crafting talking points and background information.
• Writing, editing, and managing press releases, media alerts, tip sheets, and other announcement materials.
• Coordinating visual materials for announcements and usage across departments, including images and video.
• Creating and pursuing media opportunities on behalf of the breadth of programs that empower historically underrepresented storytellers, the Festival, and additional areas throughout the year.
• Building and leveraging strong relationships with press and influencers to ensure inclusion around artist programs and industry trend pieces to help build the profile of the Sundance Institute.
• Routing and responding to requests for information, materials, and interviews.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues in marketing and social media to develop thorough communication plans and to coordinate announcements.
• Managing department operations and organizing information, including functions and processes.
• Developing media relationships for executives and key employees for relevant opportunities to help broaden the global awareness of the organization.
• Staying well informed on industry trends in the film, festival, nonprofit, and entertainment landscape and updating internal teams as applicable.
• Developing systems for and reporting coverage results and metrics, along with regular data analysis, to program leads and leadership.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:
• 3 years of experience in increasingly responsible positions within communications, publicity, public relations, or media relations.
• Strong leadership skills with a background that includes demonstrated excellence in managing employees.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to build strong relationships and work across the organization in order to drive results.
• Solid consultation, organizational, presentation, meeting design, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality, understanding the implications their actions will have on the organization.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Experience within a comparable arts, culture, or film organization and film festival press office management preferred.

You will be successful in this role if you...
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to building media relations, developing strategies for visibility of programs, and securing press.
• Utilize strong writing and editing skills within your work.
• Communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders of varying levels and positions.
• Effectively manage and motivate those you are leading, rallying the team around common goals.
• Create organized systems and manage your time effectively during busy periods.
• Deliver projects on time and with excellence in execution.
• Draw on your expertise in media relations to execute successful PR campaigns.
• Embody an interest in arts, culture, film, nonprofit, and live events.

In addition to an annual salary of $54,000.00 to $70,000.00*, this position is eligible for our comprehensive benefits package, highlights include:
• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• 25 paid Institute holidays plus accrued vacation time
• Paid sick, family, and medical leave
• Employee Wellness initiatives
• 401(k) with automatic 3% employer contribution after one year of employment
• Sundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)

*Final rate of pay is determined based on the applicant's geographic location, relevant experience and skills, and internal equity among similar positions within our organization.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d9yxz7-18-119-136-235-42 in your application.