The Press Director has primary responsibility for generating compelling stories that can be told across multiple platforms to engage a broad audience, building excitement and deepening understanding of the Met and the art form. This is accomplished through stories about the institution, mainstage Met productions, Live in HD broadcasts and other transmissions, and additional initiatives. Key components of the position include advocating for the institution as well as for individual artists and creative team members; imaginative storytelling and press campaigns across digital, broadcast and print media; and both responsive and proactive communications with members of the media.
Primary Responsibilities
- Defining and implementing a Press strategy that will promote the various activities undertaken by the Met in conjunction with outside consultants, artist representatives, and representatives from other Met departments.
- Identifying story ideas driven by the Met’s artistic program and ensuring their placement across a broad range of media outlets including print, broadcast, digital outlets and relevant social media channels.
- Serving as a key point of contact for journalists in matters related to the Met and the company’s 200+ mainstage performances each season.
- Taking the lead in generating publicity in international markets for the Met’s Live in HD broadcasts, while collaborating effectively with the Met’s international representatives.
- Working closely with the Assistant General Manager for Marketing and Communications and other members of the senior management team to put in place institutional campaigns.
- Managing the Met’s Press team to deliver the agreed upon strategies through a series of clearly defined expectations and goals.
- Overseeing press ticketing and press duty scheduling; acting as press representative at all first nights of operas and other important performances; and serving in the press duty rotation for all performances.
- Overseeing the production of news releases as well as writing them as necessary.
- Facilitating the work of external reporters, videographers and photographers while they are on the Met’s premises.
- Other duties may be assigned as needed.
Skills and Qualifications
- Exceptional leadership skills and management capabilities, including the ability to work closely with individuals to foster excellence and creativity.
- Considerable experience in not-for-profit organization public relations or a closely related background, preferably with extensive media contacts.
- Strong interpersonal abilities, especially diplomatic skills.
- Knowledge of opera and a keen interest in the art form is essential.
- Bachelor’s degree, ideally in public relations, communications or journalism
Physical Demands
- Multi-tasking capacity and basic computer knowledge essential.
- Expected to be on-site 4-5 days a week.
The Metropolitan Opera believes that diversity is critical to our success and growth as a leading performing arts institution and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities we serve.
The Metropolitan Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
