Senior Director of Communications – Storytelling

Role Overview

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

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