Head of Marketing and Audience Development - The Young Performing Arts Center

University of Wisconsin Stout•Whitewater, WI

About The Position

The Head of Marketing and Audience Development leads marketing strategy, audience growth, and ticket revenue initiatives for The Young Performing Arts Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. This strategic, results-oriented position develops data-informed approaches to attract new audiences, strengthen patron relationships, and convert awareness and engagement into ticket purchases. Success is evaluated through audience growth, ticket revenue, customer acquisition and retention, and effective use of marketing resources. The role provides creative direction but is not primarily a graphic-design position. The position leads annual and performance-specific marketing strategies, defines target audiences, positioning, campaign goals, budgets, and timelines, and advises leadership on audience trends, market conditions, competitive positioning, and marketing opportunities. It develops ticket-sales and audience-development strategies, directs paid advertising and patron communication channels, manages marketing relationships, and measures and reports campaign and sales performance. The role is in the COAC | Young Auditorium department. The starting full-time annual salary range for well-qualified candidates is $65,000–$70,000, commensurate with education, related experience, and qualifications. The university states that UW System employees receive a comprehensive benefits package. The university does not offer H-1B or other work-authorization visa sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, arts administration, business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Significant professional marketing experience; performing arts, entertainment, cultural organizations, attractions, venues, or related industries are preferred.
Demonstrated success increasing attendance, ticket sales, audience reach, or earned revenue.
Experience managing marketing budgets and paid media campaigns.
Strong knowledge of digital marketing, audience targeting, email, social media, search, and analytics.
Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and project-management skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and contribute to an inclusive campus environment.
Willingness and ability to actively follow applicable safety rules and regulations, including required training and drills.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Marketing experience in performing arts, entertainment, cultural organizations, attractions, venues, or related industries.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead annual and performance-specific marketing strategies, including target audiences, positioning, campaign goals, budgets, and timelines.
Advise leadership on audience trends, market conditions, competitive positioning, and marketing opportunities.
Strengthen The Young's position as a regional destination for live entertainment.
Develop strategies to increase paid attendance, ticket revenue, and sales velocity.
Grow new audiences and improve retention and purchase frequency among existing patrons.
Use patron, geographic, sales, and campaign data to identify opportunities and guide decisions.
Work with leadership and the box office to monitor sales pacing and adjust campaigns.
Direct paid advertising, email, social media, website, search, and other patron communication channels.
Manage media, agency, vendor, and university marketing relationships.
Establish campaign messaging and creative direction and maintain brand consistency.
Evaluate campaign performance and continually test and improve marketing effectiveness.
Develop and manage annual and performance-specific marketing budgets.
Allocate marketing resources according to sales goals, market potential, and organizational priorities.
Measure advertising effectiveness, return on investment, audience growth, and ticket-sales performance.
Provide regular performance reporting and recommendations to leadership.