The San Diego Symphony’s (SDS) Communications Specialist reports to the Director of Communications, Content and Digital Strategy and is responsible for increasing brand awareness for the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, and the Jacobs Music Center. As a key member of the creative content team, this role involves acting as one of the organization’s primary storytellers. The Communications Specialist plays a vital role in supporting the Symphony’s media relations, content development, and marketing initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

MEDIA/COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• Support the Director of Communications by writing short form press releases and media alerts, and draft long-lead emails to send to select journalists and outlets.
• Develop and maintain SDS's media contact lists: local, regional, national, and international journalists with print, digital, and broadcast outlets for arts, culture, travel, and tourism. 
• Liaise with media at concerts, interviews, and scheduled press trips.
• Represent the SDS in interviews and provide statements, when needed.
• Research and seek out new media relationships for the SDS.
• Identify unique stories for press pitching and content building needs.
• Monitor media coverage related to SDS brand; oversee the collection, management, and circulation of press clippings to appropriate colleagues.
• Schedule interviews.
• Respond to media inquiries.
• Create prep documents for interviews.
• Assist in the creation of bimonthly board reports.
• Attend select rehearsals, concerts, and events to assist with media and photography.
• Assist in curating and maintaining SDS Press Kits.

CONTENT CURATION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Storyteller and writer for the SDS blog.
• Assist with email and website proofing.
• Assist in the production of ongoing video series projects, including production planning, talent scheduling, the hiring of contractors and invoice management.
• Work alongside marketing team to help manage photo and video shoots.
• Support curation and creation of the Symphony's monthly email newsletter.
• Support the collection of headshots and bios for media work and program books; edit materials to fit SDS style guide.
• Assist in brainstorming, content capture, and proofing of assets for social media.
• Assist with the capture and editing of basic short-form video content.
• Share in oversight of hired photography and videography at concerts.
• Co-manage the institution's collection of digital assets, including photo and video archives, as well as photo selection and permissions for internal and external partners and media. 
• Act as a central communications liaison across departments, identifying and coordinating content opportunities—including interviews and media placements for donors, guest artists, musicians, staff leadership, education and community initiatives, artistic announcements, and post-event coverage.
• Serve as a member of the monthly program book editorial team.

Essential skills needed:

• Outstanding writing and interpersonal communications skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to consistently maintain a professional image and demeanor.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Knowledge of and a passion for orchestral music. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with databases and software for project management, graphic design, and basic photo and video editing (Canva, Photoshop).
• Ability to work a flexible concert schedule that includes evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

Education and Experience:    

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Arts Administration, or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of previous experience in public relations or marketing.

About San Diego Symphony Orchestra

San Diego Symphony Orchestra – Changing Lives Through Music The San Diego Symphony, through unquestionable commitment to the highest levels of artistic achievement, seeks to elevate human potential by providing a shared sense of pride and belonging to something bigger than any of us can achieve alone. We offer audiences the wonder of live music and transformative learning experiences that develop an understanding and passion for the arts. To ensure we are an enduring force in the region we commit to fiscal responsibility. We serve and shape the culture of the region, by being for all and with all, the musical heart of San Diego. •Strive: Always the Best •Learn: Creative, Expressive, Curious •Reach: Music for Everyone •Ignite: Spark Passion An Introduction The San Diego Symphony Orchestra performed its first concert on December 6, 1910. In the 100-plus years since its inception, the SDSO has become one of the leading orchestras in the United States and was designated a Tier 1 Orchestra by the League of American Orchestras in 2010. It is committed to providing musical experiences of superior quality for the greater San Diego community and beyond. Through a rich mixture o...f innovative and educational programming designed to appeal to all ages and cultures, the Symphony makes music an integral part of the cultural and intellectual fabric of Southern California, valued by and relevant to all its residents. The Music Director of the San Diego Symphony is Rafael Payare. The Symphony comprises 82 full-time musicians. The Orchestra offers a wide range of concert experiences and performs more than 140 concerts each year. The SDSO's performances at the Jacobs Music Center, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park and beyond include: Jacobs Masterworks offers traditional classical repertoire and features guest artists such as Joshua Bell, Yuja Wang, Pacho Flores, Lang Lang and Gil Shaham. Broadway @ The Jacobs focuses on Broadway hits and the Great American Songbook; it features popular guest artists such as Michael Feinstein, Lea Salonga and Patti Lupone. (Note: this series is currently suspended.) Family Concerts feature family-friendly concerts and an opportunity to expose children to classical music. The Fox Theatre Film Series shows classic Silent Era films and contemporary favorites. The Hall’s built-in, mighty Fox Theatre Robert Morton Theater Organ often accompanies the classics of the Silent Film Era while modern films are screened with the San Diego Symphony providing the musical soundtrack. (Note: this series is currently suspended.) Jazz @ The Jacobs brings together the finest local and international artists of modern jazz music at the Jacobs Music Center. Each summer the Orchestra presents an outdoor season of concerts at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, mixing classical favorites and pop music on San Diego’s picturesque waterfront. Our Home Jacobs Music Center is regarded as one of the finest classical music venues on the West Coast. Originally built in 1929 as The Fox Theatre, this lush movie palace style hall became the property of the SDSO in 1984. The beauty and majesty of this historic hall added to the stature and artistic growth of SDSO. In October 2013, the complex consisting of Copley Symphony Hall, the newly renovated lobbies, the backstage areas, the Grosvenor Family Musicians' Center and the Symphony administrative offices was officially named the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Music Center, which opened in September 2024. The Gift On January 14, 2002, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra celebrated the announcement of the single largest donation ever made to a Symphony Orchestra, totaling $120 million. This pledged gift was generously given by Joan and Irwin Jacobs, solidifying a sustained period of stability for the orchestra marked by what has now been over 15 straight years of balanced budgets. At the time of the gift, The New York Times declared the San Diego Symphony Orchestra was "placed firmly on the nation’s musical landscape" as a result of this news. (Click here for a thorough explanation of the Jacobs Gift as detailed in a Voice of San Diego story on the 10th Anniversary of the Gift.) The Music Director San Diego Symphony’s music director is Rafael Payare, who began his leadership role in July of 2019. Mr. Payare’s profound musicianship, technical brilliance and charismatic presence on the podium has elevated him as one of the most sought-after conductors, working regularly with the world’s leading orchestras. Since being awarded first prize at the prestigious Malko Conducting Competition in 2012, Payare has been celebrated as one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. The 2014-15 season saw his acclaimed debut with Vienna Philharmonia at the Musikverein, and invitations to the London Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Philharmonic. This was followed by his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Ravinia Festival. In September 2014, he was announced as Chief Conductor of the Ulster Orchestra in Northern Ireland and their partnership is now recognized as one of the most dynamic in the United Kingdom. Mr. Payare is a graduate of the celebrated El Sistema in Venezuela. He began his formal conducting studies in 2004 with renowned conductor, José Antonio Abreu. Mr. Payare has conducted all the major orchestras in Venezuela, including the Simón Bolivar Orchestra. Having also served as principal horn of the Simón Bolivar Orchestra, Mr. Payare took part in many prestigious tours and recordings with conductors including Guiseppe Sinopoli, Claudio Abbado, Sir Simon Rattle and Lorin Maazel. He also recently became Music Director of Canada’s Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (Montreal Symphony Orchestra/OSM) as well. With impressive experience working with some of the world’s most elite orchestras, Mr. Payare is considered one of the classical music world’s most charismatic and acclaimed conductors. We have no doubt that Mr. Payare’s commitment to artistic excellence will bring the SDSO to ever-higher levels of achievement and renown and we are very much looking forward to this musical partnership.

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