Marketing Manager:  External Communications and Graphic Designer Position

Do you have an eye and a knack for designing dynamic event posters?  Do you have a background in—and love for—marketing?  Are you able to identify and reach out to specific demographics?  Are you as well versed in web-marketing as designing traditional print ads?  Are you excited about strengthening and widening the branding for a world-class arts organization?  We want to hire you!

About White Bird:

Founded in 1997 by Walter Jaffe and Paul King—and named after their pet cockatoo, Barney—White Bird has brought some of the most innovative and exciting contemporary dance companies in the world here to Portland.  White Bird works with acclaimed dancers like Mikhail Baryshnikov, innovative choreographers such as Trey McIntryre and Shen Wei, as well as dance groups from Spain, China and Brazil.  Each fall and winter, White Bird presents innovative and exciting performances in downtown Portland at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, as well as its dynamic Uncaged Series, which places dance performances in unique venues around the city.  www.whitebird.org

About the Position:

Part ad exec, part graphic designer, the Marketing Manager is a dynamic position that is responsible for the external communications of a well-known and recognized arts organization. These duties include both placing ads as well as the graphic design skills to produce event posters and marketing materials.  S/he should have the following interests and background:

• Expert written and oral skills

• Hands-on background and demonstrated success in marketing an arts-based organization and/or specific event marketing;

• A dynamic and engaging portfolio of marketing material

• Knowledge, comfort and ease with social networking sitE

• Proficiency with design software

• Demonstrated passion for the performing arts

• Appreciation for contemporary dance a plus

• Minimum undergraduate degree

The ideal applicant does not necessarily need to be widely aware of contemporary dance, but s/he should appreciate artistic expression and also should have a background forming marketing for a variety of performances, meeting deadlines and designing strategic plans.

Primary duties:

• Manage traditional and web-based marketing campaigns both to market White Bird as an organization and also to advertise specific performances;
• Create marketing materials (posters, handbills, ads) for 12 specific shows and also a season brochure;
• Monitor and troubleshoot the production of marketing materials, including the organization’s website;
• Input and update data on website; monitor website usage; provide regular reports on usage
• Connect with diverse communities to promote White Bird’s performances and educational outreach programs
• Prepare, set up and break down lobby table at White Bird performances

White Bird hosts a professional, but friendly, family-style work environment.  This is a year-round position with normal business hours, plus expectations to attend evening and weekend performances.  Performance season runs from October to early May.  Business hours during summer months are relaxed. 

Please submit no later than Friday, July 10 a one page cover letter and a resume to Phil Busse, General Manager, at phil@whitebird.org.  Application should also include three current work-product samples, and the names of three professional references.

Salary commensurate with experience; benefits include health care subsidy.

Interviews will be scheduled during the week of July 20, with an August 3 start date.