Director/Marketing & External Affairs

About the Marshall Artists Series
The Marshall Artists Series (MAS) is a long‑standing, revenue‑generating professional presenting organization serving Marshall University and the greater tri‑state region. The Director of Marketing & External Affairs plays a critical leadership role in advancing MAS’s presenting vision, strengthening earned revenue and audience engagement, expanding public impact, and supporting free Marshall student access as a core institutional priority.

Position Summary
The Director of Marketing & External Affairs reports to the Executive Director and collaborates closely with the Box Office Manager/Finance Director, who oversees the organization’s full budget, ticketing operations, and database management. The Marketing Director receives budgeting, financial process, and IT systems training from the Finance Director, and all marketing‑related budget oversight is performed under this guidance.
This position serves as the primary marketing, communications, design, and external‑relations professional for MAS and encompasses multiple functional areas typically distributed across several positions in larger presenting organizations. The Director leads all marketing, branding, graphic design, digital strategy, media relations, corporate donor stewardship, crisis communications, and audience development efforts, and manages Ticketmaster reporting and sales analytics. The role is directly responsible for generating $25,000 annually in advertising sales.
Functioning as a full creative and communications agency, the Director produces all promotional materials and campaigns and provides hands‑on instruction and mentorship to university students seeking professional experience in arts marketing, design, and event promotion. The position requires creativity, technical expertise, strategic judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.


Key Responsibilities
Marketing, Branding & Communications
• Direct and execute comprehensive marketing, PR, and communications strategies that support ticket sales, earned revenue, sponsorship visibility, and long‑term audience development.
• Align MAS marketing strategy with Marshall University brand standards while preserving MAS’s distinct professional identity.
• Serve as MAS’s primary public information officer and spokesperson.
• Lead digital marketing campaigns, including social media, email marketing, paid advertising, and analytics‑driven optimization.
• Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, and promotional content.
• Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Use data, market trends, and audience insights—collaborating with MAS Finance—to guide season planning, campaign timing, pricing communication, and promotional investments

Revenue Enablement
• Generate $25,000 annually in advertising sales.
• Use Ticketmaster analytics to support pricing, timing, and revenue strategy.
• Manage sponsor benefit fulfillment, recognition, and branding deliverables.
• Produce donor‑facing materials that support advancement and fundraising initiatives.
• Provide data‑informed recommendations to leadership on audience behavior and revenue trends.

Contract Compliance & Artist Relations
• Ensure all marketing materials comply with artist contracts, agency requirements, licensing restrictions, and brand guidelines.
• Serve as the internal point of contact for contract‑approved marketing copy, billing, credits, and usage rights.
• Coordinate with agents, managers, and publicists to secure required approvals.
• Maintain accurate records of marketing‑related contract obligations and deadlines.
• Protect MAS from liability by adhering to restrictions on photography, videography, social media usage, and press access.

Crisis Communications
• Lead crisis communication planning and execution for event disruptions, cancellations, and public‑facing issues affecting MAS.
• Advise leadership on messaging strategy, public relations risks, and stakeholder communications.
• Coordinate rapid‑response messaging across phone systems, web platforms, ticketing communications, media outlets, and social channels.

Graphic Design & Creative Production
• Serve as MAS’s in‑house graphic designer, producing posters, digital ads, social media graphics, playbills, print collateral, and event branding.
• Direct creative strategy and oversee content production across all platforms.
• Manage photography, videography, and creative content needs.

Ticketmaster & Revenue Analytics
• Collaborate with the Box Office Manager/Finance Director, who builds all events in Ticketmaster and oversees ticketing operations.
• Pull and analyze Ticketmaster sales reports to inform marketing strategy and campaign timing.
• Track buyer behavior, presales, promotions, and revenue trends to support audience development.
• Coordinate with the Finance Director on pricing, holds, ticket allocations, and marketing‑related ticketing needs.
• Use Ticketmaster data to support advertising sales, corporate benefit fulfillment, and post‑event reporting.

Digital Presence & Web Management
• Maintain and update the MAS website.
• Ensure accurate, timely event information across all digital platforms.
• Monitor analytics and adjust strategies based on performance data.

Student Instruction & Experiential Learning
• Recruit, train, and supervise students and interns interested in arts marketing, design, communications, and event promotion.
• Provide hands‑on instruction, mentorship, and skills training aligned with MAS’s educational mission.
• Support students with varying levels of experience, often serving as their primary instructor in this field.

Community Engagement, Corporate Relations & External Affairs
• Serve as a liaison to campus partners, community organizations, and sponsors.
• Ensure donor expectations, sponsorship benefits, and customer‑service commitments are fulfilled.
• Represent MAS at university and community events.
• Support fundraising and advancement initiatives through marketing, communications, and donor‑facing materials.

Special Projects
• Serve as Director and Producer of the MAS International Film Festival.
• Lead special campaigns, anniversary branding, and institutional storytelling projects.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Demonstrated expertise in graphic design (Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator).
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Experience managing budgets, advertising schedules, and vendor contracts.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple deadlines, and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to collaborate closely with the Box Office Manager/Finance Director, who provides training and oversight for budgeting procedures, financial processes, and database systems.
• Experience with Ticketmaster/ticketing/CRM systems.
Knowledge of contemporary performing artists across dance, music, theatre, and opera.
• Familiarity with nonprofit administration, fundraising, and institutional positioning.
• Experience producing or managing film festivals or special events.


Physical Efforts:
Standing – Frequent 34-66% of the time
Walking – Frequent 34-66% of the time
Sitting – Frequent 34-66% of the time
Bending – Frequent 34-66% of the time
Squatting – Frequent 34-66% of the time
Pulling – Light 11 – 20lbs
Pulling Frequency – Occasional 3-33% of the time
Pushing – Medium 21-50lbs
Pushing Frequency – Occasional 3-33% of the time
Lift/Carry – Medium 21-50lbs
Lift/Carry Frequency – Frequent 34-66% of the time

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, graphic design, public relations, or related field.

Minimum of 3 to 5 years of professional experience in performing arts marketing, media relations, or entertainment promotion.

Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

Experience with Ticketmaster/ticketing/CRM systems.

The search committee requests that up to three reference letters be submitted with your application. Please enter your references’ information in the Reference Letter Submission section of the application. Your references will be notified via email to submit their reference letters to the search committee in our Applicant Tracking system.