PR & Communications Specialist

Spoleto Festival USA•Charleston, SC

14h•Onsite

About The Position

Spoleto Festival USA seeks a PR & Communications Specialist to support the Marketing team in the lead-up to and throughout the 2027 50th Anniversary Festival, which runs May 28 through June 13, 2027. The role begins in November 2026 and supports communications planning, media relations, editorial development, and campaign execution. The specialist works closely with and supports the Associate Director of Marketing & Communications, collaborating with artistic, administrative, marketing, development, and external partners. The position supports public relations and outward-facing communications for local, regional, and national audiences. It involves developing and editing communications materials, identifying and pitching stories, maintaining media relationships, coordinating press activities during the Festival, and managing editorial projects such as the annual Program Book. The role is seasonal, full-time, salaried, on-site in Charleston, South Carolina, and is not benefit-eligible. Compensation is $700 per week.

Requirements

1–3 years of experience in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills, and the ability to write for multiple audiences and communications channels.
Interest or experience in media relations, including pitching stories and working with journalists.
Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and related communications and project-management tools.
A positive, flexible, and collaborative attitude, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; the employer participates in E-Verify.
Must pass a background check and hold a valid driver's license; must be 21 or older, as the role may require driving a Festival-provided vehicle.
Ability to stoop, kneel, bend, stand for extended periods, climb stairs, reach overhead, and lift up to 50 lbs., including work in low-light, outdoor, and high-noise environments.
Availability for evenings, weekends, and holidays, with on-call hours during the Festival period.
Must work on-site in Charleston, SC; role runs November 2026 through June 2027.

Nice To Haves

Interest in the performing arts, cultural programming, and the Charleston community.

Responsibilities

Support the Festival's public relations strategy for local, regional, and national media, with a focus on arts, culture, entertainment, and Charleston.
Support press strategy, messaging, and target development based on Festival programming, announcements, organizational priorities, and the 50th Anniversary.
Draft and proofread press releases, media advisories, pitches, bylines, performance briefs, talking points, and other materials for external and internal audiences.
Identify and pitch story opportunities related to Festival artists, performances, productions, organizational initiatives, Festival history, and the Festival's role in Charleston and the broader arts community.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media contacts.
Coordinate media invitations, credentialing, and ticketing for Festival performances and events, and facilitate on-site interviews, press visits, press conferences, and news and video crews during the Festival.
Monitor media coverage and maintain accurate and timely coverage reports.
Manage pressroom materials, media assets, and other public relations resources.
Support development and execution of outward-facing communications that strengthen the Spoleto Festival USA brand and support seasonal, production-specific, organizational, and 50th Anniversary campaigns.
Draft, edit, and proofread copy for the Festival's Program Book and related promotional materials, including marketing emails, leadership communications, and other audience-facing content.
Develop evergreen and season-specific editorial content, including quotes, talking points, articles, short statements, artist and performance messaging, and other storytelling assets.
Project-manage select editorial and marketing collateral, including the annual Program Book, coordinating development, editing, proofreading, and delivery of commissioned content.
Ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with Festival messaging and brand standards across communications.