Public Relations and Communications Manager

Established in 1969, the Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is the premier performing arts community gathering space in southeastern Wisconsin. As a Milwaukee County-owned facility (managed and operated by the Marcus Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit organization), MPAC’s mission is to act as an energizing force that connects the community to the world through collaboration, innovation, social engagement, and the transformative power of live performing arts.

MPAC is home to a variety of resident companies including Milwaukee Ballet, The Florentine Opera, First Stage, and Black Arts MKE and is also a dedicated veterans memorial in Milwaukee.

Serving more than 300,000 audience members annually, MPAC presents a diverse mix of cultural arts programming, including touring Broadway shows, dance, jazz, global music, and other live performances, as well as community events. MPAC provides high-quality arts education and engagement experiences and is committed to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) focusing on representation, inclusion, and investment to build bridges between diverse members of the community.

This is a full‑time hybrid role for a Public Relations and Communications Manager based in Milwaukee, WI, with opportunities for partial work‑from‑home arrangements. Working with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications and the marketing team, the Public Relations and Communications Manager is responsible for maintaining and positively positioning the public image of the Marcus Performing Arts Center through local, national, and international media placements, new media, self‑generated content and storytelling, and by influencing a range of platforms including the Center’s social media and website.

This person is also responsible for day‑to‑day media operations and the execution and monitoring of earned media placements in accordance with institutional branding to result in increased awareness of, and engagement with a fostered larger audience base and increased ticket sales and community awareness.

The Public Relations and Communications Manager will also work directly with artist management and the Marcus Center’s Programming and Education and Marketing teams to create artistic and program announcements, leveraging publicity opportunities, driving media cultivation, and determining positioning of institutional news and issues.

• Work with the Marketing team, and external PR partners, coordinate the implementation of messaging across paid, earned, and owned channels.
• Build and maintain relationships with local and national media representatives to secure coverage for events and initiatives.
• Generate compelling content for press releases, blog posts, and social media that articulates the organization’s mission and events.
• Pitch stories to journalists that highlight the organization's impact on the community and the arts.
• Contribute to and generate new ideas that will continue to elevate MPAC’s presence in the community via a variety of outreach and communication channels.
• Analyze the effectiveness of public relations campaigns through metrics and reporting to assess impact and make data‑driven decisions.
• Research and write news releases, pitches, statements, and talking points for the media.
• Continuously explore new platforms, practices and strategies to broaden MPAC’s visibility and engagement with its stakeholders, the media and the general public.
• Serve as project lead on the creation of MPAC’s show programs (print and digital).
• Develop and implement crisis communication strategies to address potential public relations emergencies.
• Provide media training to staff and artists to prepare them for interviews and public appearances.
• Serve as first line of contact on issues management topics and assist with crisis communications.
• Provide timely external communication counsel to MPAC’s executive leadership team.
• Identify internal and external resources needed to complete projects.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with external vendors.
• Coordinate media ticket requests for shows, greet media and attend performances as needed to ensure effective relationship…