Head of Communications & Content

Lead communications at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, driving consistent, impactful messaging to enhance visibility, awareness, and growth.

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra of world standing and one of the leading orchestras in the Asia-Pacific region. The Sydney Symphony performs approximately 150 concerts each year to an annual audience of more than 350,000. The Orchestra not only performs core symphonic repertoire but engages in collaborations with other art forms and commissions new works by Australian and international composers to ensure the vibrancy of orchestral music for generations to come. We value Integrity, Joy and Connection.

The Head of Communications and Content leads all communications and ensures communications are aligned with the organisation vision: maintaining consistency and enhancing visibility impact across platforms in support of driving awareness and growth.

This role is responsible for strong brand and institutional messaging to support revenue and audience growth goals by leading communication strategies, strategically allocating resources where they will have the greatest impact, managing content strategies and storytelling to engage audiences.

The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator and content leader who can balance high-level brand messaging with hands-on execution, fostering collaboration between departments to amplify the organisation’s voice, enhance its public reputation, and engage diverse audiences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications Oversight

• Develop and oversee a unified communications and content strategy that aligns with the organisation’s brand strategy, audience engagement goals, and revenue objectives.
• Ensure consistent messaging across publicity, social media, website, email, print, and other platforms.
• Align institutional storytelling with marketing, fundraising, and audience development efforts, ensuring all communications support broader organisational goals in way that support revenue generation.
• Collaborate with leadership on messaging and communication strategy for reputation management and for funders.
• Support crisis communications planning and execution in collaboration with leadership and publicity manager. 

PR and Media Relations

• Ensure that publicity initiatives align with marketing campaigns and institutional priorities. 
• Oversee alignment of media outreach efforts with organisation goals to enhance visibility and maximise earned media placements.
• Develop strategies that align publicity to the brand positioning across all local, national, and industry press.

Social Media & Digital Engagement

• Oversee the Social Media Manager in creating and executing a social media strategy that supports audience engagement, campaign promotion, and brand awareness.
• Ensure that social media efforts are fully integrated across publicity, marketing, editorial and institutional messaging and there is a consistent brand voice.
• Explore emerging platforms and trends to expand the organisation’s digital reach. 

Content Development & Editorial Strategy

• Oversee the Editorial Manager and the creation of compelling written content, including blogs, newsletters, website copy, and long-form storytelling that has cohesive storytelling and effective distribution on owned channels. 
• Work closely with marketing team to translate complex artistic, educational, and institutional narratives into engaging, accessible, and audience-centric communications for diverse audiences.
• Lead the development of major institutional communications pieces (e.g., annual reports, impact reports).  

Video & Multimedia Content Production

• Oversee the Content Producer in the production of high-quality video content that supports marketing, fundraising, learning, and audience engagement.
• Ensure video storytelling aligns with institutional priorities, enhances social media engagement, and supports revenue-generating initiatives.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration and support: 

• Growth Marketing team to support campaign-based content needs, ensuring publicity and social media amplify promotional efforts.
• Lifecycle Marketing team to integrate storytelling into audience retention and loyalty strategies at the brand level.
• Learning and Engagement team to ensure educational and engagement programs are positioned as integrated core offerings.
• Development/Fundraising teams to support donor communications and philanthropy-focused storytelling.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• 7+ years of experience in brand marketing/communications, PR & content strategy, or related fields, preferably in the cultural sector, nonprofit or mission driven brand.
• Proven leadership experience, including managing and developing cross-functional teams.
• Strong writing, storytelling and editorial skills, with the ability to adapt tone and messaging for different channels and audiences.
• Expertise in brand storytelling and audience engagement, with a strong ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of PR and media relations
• Social media fluency, with experience overseeing content strategies across multiple platforms along with competency in best practice, channel and operational proficiency.
• Experience in digital content production, including overseeing video and multimedia storytelling.
• Exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to work across departments and align messaging with strategic goals.
• Comfortable balancing long-term strategy with hands-on execution in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred:

• Experience in the performing arts, music, or cultural organisations.
• Familiarity with audience segmentation and digital marketing analytics.
• Basic knowledge of design, video editing, or multimedia production.
• Brand / content management background
• Journalism background

DEVELOPMENT

• Professional development with focus on public relations strategy.
• Develop skills in team leadership and stakeholder management.
• Keep up to date with the latest marketing trends, technologies and best practices.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Salary $120,000 – $140,000 plus superannuation
• Professional development
• Develop organisational team-working skills
• Hybrid & flexible working arrangements
• Employee Assistance Program
• Complimentary performance tickets

APPLY NOW

Please apply with a CV and cover letter. Applications close Monday 5th of May.