Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator

Lyric Opera of Chicago•Chicago, IL

1d•$46,000 - $52,000

About The Position

Lyric Opera of Chicago seeks a Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator to provide administrative and operational support across public relations, social media, content, marketing, sales, and promotions. The role supports media coverage and social engagement tracking, vendor and artist-manager relationships, production and program promotion, and Lyric’s education initiatives. It also provides general administrative support to the department and its leadership. The coordinator formats and distributes press releases; maintains media lists, newsrooms, media boards, and coverage updates; monitors social posts; edits and publishes website content; manages performance seating and ticketing; and gathers artist materials. Marketing work includes maintaining memberships and event listings, fulfilling ticket-donation requests, coordinating signage and lobby materials, supporting accessibility initiatives and patron retention, and assisting with annual events. The role also coordinates press conferences and photoshoots, researches and manages photo archives, checks facts and photo credits across external materials, prepares internal memos, and processes invoices and vendor setup. Additional duties include training or monitoring support staff and interns as needed, office administration, meeting coordination, travel booking, and calendar maintenance. Duties may change as Lyric’s needs evolve.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public relations, marketing, or communications, or equivalent experience.
Strong organizational skills, eagerness to learn, and a professional demeanor.
Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Previous administrative-support experience, with demonstrated ability to work independently and produce accurate, efficient results in a fast-paced, high-level service environment.
Expert word-processing skills and proficient software skills.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, and with Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Muck Rack, Cision, Meltwater, Sprout Social, and Tessitura.
Ability to work and think independently, act as a motivated self-starter, and support a larger team.
Ability to oversee evening or weekend functions or performances.
Ability to sit for extended periods and operate a computer and other office equipment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in public relations, marketing, advertising, or publishing.
Experience with graphic design or production, or press and media relations.
Interest in opera and/or classical music.

Responsibilities

Format and distribute company press releases.
Maintain local, national, and international media distribution lists in Muck Rack.
Manage the online newsroom and support the media lounge on opening nights, including inventory tracking, organization, upkeep, and on-site support as needed.
Maintain media boards with current coverage and information.
Monitor and tag social media posts in Sprout Social for coverage tracking, reporting, and performance analysis.
Copy edit, build, and publish written stories and other content on Lyric’s website.
Manage departmental performance seating and ticketing needs, including RSVP tracking, entering orders in Tessitura, and coordinating with VIP Ticketing staff.
Book and source photographers.
Draft and maintain the weekly company update Lyric News, review newspapers daily, and distribute weekly highlights of key media coverage internally.
Manage publication subscriptions and liaise with public relations and social media agency partners.
Collect and maintain artist biographies, headshots, and questionnaires; request materials from artist managers and follow up in a timely manner.
Maintain marketing memberships and event listings in local and national organizations.
Collect and fulfill ticket donation and voucher requests from external partners.
Coordinate building signage, content warnings, lobby activations, inserts and flyers, and marquee copy with relevant Lyric staff and Front of House.
Liaise with Joffrey Ballet on signage as needed.
Support accessibility enhancements through utilization tracking.
Assist with planning, administration, and execution of the annual Subscriber Preview event and annual Millennium Park Concert.
Support patron-retention campaigns as needed.
Coordinate and produce press conferences and photoshoots, including timelines, travel schedules and bookings, planning meetings, event kits, and day-of execution.
Conduct photo research on artists and productions.
Maintain photo archives, fulfill photo requests, review credits, and catalog and caption production photos for internal and press-room use.
Coordinate with other departments to ensure accurate information in external materials such as press releases, marketing materials, social media, program books, and websites.
Draft and oversee memos to the company, chorus, and orchestra concerning video and photoshoots.
Process invoices and departmental expenses and manage new-vendor setup, documentation, payments, and compliance with internal procedures.
Train and monitor support staff and interns maintaining company archives and departmental filing systems as needed.
Handle general office administration, including supply orders, new-hire needs, catering, and communication with IT about equipment needs and malfunctions.
Review photo credits on marketing materials for accuracy.
Provide organizational and administrative support to department leadership, including interdepartmental communications, meetings, team events, travel, and the department calendar.