Chaloner has partnered with National Black Theatre on the search for a Marketing & Communications Director to join their team.

About National Black Theatre

National Black Theatre (NBT) is more than a theater. Founded in 1968, NBT is a cultural institution in the business of narrative change, telling authentic, intersectional stories of Black life rooted in the artist’s experience and in support of Black imagination. For nearly six decades, NBT has been a home for generations of Black theatre artists, providing training, creative development and a stage for new and underrepresented voices.

NBT is a national organization with a deeply local home in Harlem, a neighborhood with international reach. After six years of producing work in partnership with venues and institutions across the city, NBT is in the final stretch of its capital campaign and preparing to open a new, state-of-the-art home in the heart of Harlem in approximately 18 months. The building will feature new performance spaces, event and rental venues, tours and immersive programming, and will cement NBT as the premier destination for Black theatre in the country.

The Opportunity

NBT seeks a strategic, entrepreneurial Marketing & Communications Director to lead the organization’s brand, marketing and communications through one of the most consequential chapters in its history. This leader will see NBT’s brand and role in the field as important as the plays and programs it produces and promotes, and as such will build a marketing function that is just as strong at driving ticket sales as it is at raising NBT’s national profile, deepening its connection to its Harlem community, supporting fundraising, and driving diverse earned revenue streams.

The timing is exceptional. The Director will have a short, exciting runway to reintroduce NBT to the many audiences who know its work through partner stages and to make sure they come home to Harlem when the doors open in Fall 2028. The organization has a startup energy, recent brand and messaging work to build upon, compelling projects in development, and a leadership team eager for a marketing expert who can bring an outside-in perspective, make data-informed decisions, and show NBT what is possible.

Position Details

• Reporting: Reports jointly to the CEO and Executive Artistic Director.
• Team: Supervises an in-house Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator, with plans to hire a Marketing Manager. Manages external agency partners for public relations and digital marketing.
• Organization: NBT has a staff of approximately 20, expected to grow by roughly 50% as the new building opens.
• Location: Hybrid, with in-person presence at NBT’s Harlem offices required two to three days per week, plus regular evenings and weekends at performances, rehearsals and events. Candidates should be based in the New York City area.
• Salary: This is a full-time role exempt from overtime, offering a salary of $140,000-$150,000.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Brand

• In the first months of the role, conduct a comprehensive audit of NBT’s brand, channels, audience data and marketing spend, to identify gaps and untapped opportunities, and translate the findings into clear recommendations and priorities.
• Develop, document and execute an integrated, multi-year marketing and communications plan, with clear goals and benchmarks, that maps out strategies for promoting, animating and celebrating NBT’s performances and partnerships and events; with a goal of attracting, retaining and converting target audiences and cementing NBT’s reputation as the leading theater destination of Black culture in the U.S.
• Lead and evolve NBT’s brand identity, voice and narrative across all channels, including website, earned media, print advertising, digital advertising, social media, annual reports, video, and signage, building on recently completed brand messaging and design guidelines. Guide NBT marketing team in the creation of materials that are on brand and meet objectives.
• Identify new platforms, partnerships, tools and tactics that extend the organization’s reach and reputation.
• Lead NBT’s social media and digital content strategy. Support and guide the team in the development of original concepts, writing copy, producing and editing short-form video, collaborating with internal stakeholders, managing editorial calendars and analyzing performance to continually improve engagement.   
• Elevate NBT’s national profile in ways that strengthen its case to donors and funders, including national foundations.

Building Opening and Earned Revenue

• Lead the marketing and communications roadmap for the opening of NBT’s new home, generating excitement and making it easy and inviting for audiences to experience NBT in Harlem through a variety of programming.
• Market new earned revenue streams, including venue rentals, tours, immersive programming and new ticketed experiences, partnering with sales and community engagement colleagues to gauge demand and inform pricing.

Audiences, Ticketing and Data

• Drive audience development across NBT’s season, including mainstage productions, playwright residency presentations, affinity nights and special events.
• Oversee box office and ticketing operations, sales reporting and the patron experience.
• Support the growth and administration of NBT’s burgeoning membership program, creating campaigns to drive membership and working in collaboration with the Development team to ensure the program runs smoothly and commitments are met. 
• Set KPIs and revenue goals; track, analyze and report on performance; and use data to guide investment and continuous improvement.

Communications, Media and Fundraising Support

• Partner with NBT’s public relations firm on media strategy and press relations, and raise the visibility of NBT and its leadership through publicity, thought leadership, speaking and awards opportunities.
• Respond to incoming press inquiries in a timely fashion, liaise with calendar pages of local news and arts/culture publications, and build and maintain relationships with relevant reporters and editors. 
• Work closely with the Development team to integrate marketing and fundraising, producing campaign materials, appeals, annual reports and gala and event content as needed.
• Collaborate and coordinate with partners’ and board members’ PR teams as appropriate.

Team and Operations Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop the marketing team; build out the department as NBT grows.
• Create office systems to support all marketing and communications projects and operations, including routine reporting as required.
• Develop and manage the marketing and communications budget, including paid digital advertising.
• Ensure email, CRM and ticketing systems work together effectively.
• Manage agency and consultant relationships, thoughtfully determining what to bring in-house over time.
• Build trust and strong internal channels of communication with the CEO and Executive Artistic Director through proactive planning, enabling them to step back from day-to-day marketing decisions.

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of progressive marketing and communications experience, including leading strategy, budgets and teams.
• A track record of building brands and institutional profiles, in addition to campaign and sales results, with the ability to both set vision and to execute.
• A disciplined planner who puts strategy on paper, sets measurable goals and adjusts based on data.
• Experience in the performing arts or cultural sector, including ticketing and audience development, is strongly preferred. Exceptional marketers from other sectors who bring transferable expertise and a genuine passion for theatre are encouraged to apply.
• Experience with venue launches, rentals or other earned revenue initiatives is a plus.
• Experience integrating communications and fundraising, and managing agency and PR partners.
• Fluency across digital marketing, including social media, web, email, CRM, analytics and paid media.
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills and a strong aesthetic sense.
• A collaborative, energetic leader who thrives in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
• Deep connection to NBT’s mission and to Black arts and culture, and familiarity with New York City’s cultural landscape.

To Apply

Interested candidates should apply by using the application form. Chaloner will review all applicants and, upon qualification, contact you to determine next steps.