Position Overview

The Senior Director of Communications & Storytelling leads the development and execution of the institutional narrative for Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall at a moment of significant artistic and organizational momentum. The Symphony is currently in its inaugural season with Music Director Xian Zhang, whose leadership is shaping a bold artistic vision for the orchestra and expanding its national and international profile.

Working within the Marketing & Communications team, this role shapes how the Symphony’s artistic work, community engagement, and institutional priorities are communicated across media, editorial platforms, organic social media, and digital storytelling channels. The Senior Director serves as the organization’s strategic communications leader, guiding media relations, editorial storytelling, and digital content that bring audiences closer to the music, the musicians, and the community the Symphony serves, while developing creative approaches to storytelling that expand how audiences experience and connect with the Symphony.

The role also supports growing visibility of Benaroya Hall as one of Seattle’s premier cultural venues, including communications around the Hall’s refreshed public spaces reopening this fall. These improvements include expanded hospitality areas, a welcoming café and gathering spaces, enhanced guest amenities, and a new community room designed to host classes, conversations, and cultural events.

Working closely with the Chief Marketing Officer and senior leadership across the organization, the Senior Director ensures that Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall are not only visible in the media landscape but understood through compelling stories that reflect the organization’s artistic ambition and community impact.

Key Responsibilities

Communications Strategy & Institutional Narrative

· Develop and lead the communications strategy for Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and artistic vision.

· Shape and steward the institutional voice across all owned external communications and storytelling platforms.

· Identify opportunities to elevate the organization’s visibility through media coverage, cultural commentary, and timely storytelling.

· Collaborate with colleagues across Artistic, Development, Education and Community Engagement teams to communicate institutional priorities and initiatives effectively.

· Partner closely with the Senior Director of Marketing to align communications narratives with event marketing campaigns and audience engagement initiatives.

Media Relations & Earned Visibility

· Lead the organization’s media relations strategy and cultivate strong relationships with local, national, and international press.

· Serve as a primary media contact and spokesperson for Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall.

· Oversee and participate directly in the pitching of stories and drafting of press releases, media advisories, and institutional statements.

· Prepare artists, musicians, executives, and board leadership for media interviews and public appearances.

· Guide communications strategy during moments of heightened public attention, ensuring timely and thoughtful messaging that protects and strengthens the organization’s reputation.

Digital Storytelling & Organic Social Media

· Provide strategic oversight of organic social media and digital storytelling in collaboration with the Social Media Manager and Digital Media Producer.

· Guide the development of platform-specific voice, video storytelling, and audience engagement strategies that strengthen the organization’s digital presence.

· Ensure social media and multimedia content align with the institution’s broader communications narrative while complementing paid marketing efforts led by the marketing team.

· Identify opportunities to highlight the artistic work of Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall through video, multimedia, and emerging digital storytelling formats.

Qualifications:

· 7-9 years of experience in communications, media relations, journalism, or storytelling leadership, preferably within the arts or cultural sector.

· Exceptional writing and editorial skills with the ability to translate artistic work into compelling narratives.

· Demonstrated success in media relations and story placement across traditional and digital outlets, locally and nationally.

· Experience leading communications teams and managing creative professionals.

· Strategic thinker who can balance long-term narrative development with day-to-day communications execution.

· Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and build strong relationships with artists, media, and external partners.

· Passion for the performing arts and interest in advancing the role of arts organizations within civic and cultural life.

Physical Requirements: 

The physical requirements described here must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· The functions of this position are performed primarily in an office environment

· Regular activities include frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching and bending

· This position may require occasional pulling, lifting and climbing stairs 

· Ability to speak, hear and communicate clearly while handling staff inquiries, telephone calls and customer requests

· Specific vision abilities require close visual acuity for viewing a computer screen and reading, preparing, entering and/or analyzing data

· This position requires repetitive motions of the wrists, hands and fingers for typing at a standard keyboard and regular pinching, picking up and holding writing utensils and other office tools

· Must have the ability to lift 30 pounds as needed

Benefits:

· Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (PPO, low deductible)

· Employer paid Long-Term Disability, AD&D and Life Insurance

· Employer paid ORCA pass for Metro, Sound Transit, the WA State ferries, or other public transport system or onsite parking

· 403b retirement savings plan with employer matching at 1 year

· 10 days Vacation Time, 10 days Sick Time

· 2 personal days

· 11 paid holidays per year

· Your birthday off!

· Employee Assistance Program

The Seattle Symphony values diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace. Individuals who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives are encouraged to apply. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EOE) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Seattle Symphony will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.