Public Relations Specialist

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet enriches the human experience by teaching, creating, and performing outstanding dance. Located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, the RWB plays an integral role in the city’s vibrant arts community. Founded in 1939, the RWB holds the double distinction of being Canada’s premiere ballet company and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America. In 1953, the Company received its royal title, the first granted under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

The RWB is a leader, renowned for classical ballet and for pushing the boundaries of dance, including through the prestigious RWB School and its Professional and Recreational divisions. A fully integrated company and school, the RWB builds on strengths, challenges conventions, inspires artists, moves audiences, and builds connections locally and globally that unite us all through the universal language of dance.

THE ROLE

The Public Relations Specialist creates and coordinates the communications and public relations strategies for the RWB, including performances and programs, and works in collaboration with the entire organization to execute the strategy and tactics. This position participates in events and is the primary author of external communications. This role develops and nurtures positive relationships with organizations, individuals, and community groups to provide opportunities for public relations and sales support, goodwill, and impact generation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Public Relations:

• Manage public relations initiatives, including media inquiries and activities.
• Ensure up-to-date media lists.
• Research and submit nominations for various award opportunities.
• As part of the annual media plan, develop public relations strategies for in-town shows, programs, and tours.
• Lead and support crisis communications planning and response, developing timely, accurate, and coordinated messaging to protect and maintain the organization’s reputation.
• Manage and organize public relations activities for programs and media calls, acting as primary contact.
• Arrange media interviews, brief interviewees and media outlets, and coach participants as required.
• Prepare and conduct media training as required.
• Seek editorial opportunities through proactive media relationship management.
• Write press materials, including news releases and media kit, and maintain up-to-date press reports.
• Serve as lead contact with media interactions, actively cultivate and manage press relationships ensuring coverage of programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects.
• Prepare and execute all requirements for media presence at shows and events.
• Promote the image and reputation of the RWB in media and at events.
• Arrange in-town pre-show chats, meet and greets, and other engagement activities, including Nutcracker walk-ons.

Communications:

• Write and edit external communications including but not limited to: releases, blogs, speaking notes, ad copy, social media captions, and other features and collateral materials, ensuring messages are clear and consistent with brand alignment.
• Identify and cultivate organization and human-interest stories and opportunities to support communications and promote sales.
• Lead content creation and imagery for newsletters and other materials; coordinate the generation of online and print content to engage audience segments and spearhead measurable action.
• Liaise with internal departments, outside agencies, government agencies, volunteers, and alumni as required.
• Ensure stakeholders remain informed and engaged, facilitate dialog and relationship-building.

Administration:

• Assist with Front of House staffing for shows.
• Oversee the development of monthly media reports for shows, programs, and significant events utilizing the media monitoring platform.
• Assist with the coordination of events, shows, and programs as required.
• Lead the coordination and drop offs for promotional displays with partnering organizations.
• Other duties as assigned.

WORK SETTING

This position works with standard office equipment and may sit for periods of time performing keyboarding activities. Hours are flexible of days, evenings, and weekends as required for events, performances, and meetings. Success of this position requires a dedicated, detail-oriented, hard-working individual interested in the arts, desires a career in public relations, and is enticed by the prospect of making an impact on the community.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary education in Public Relations, Communications, or Journalism; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Five (5) years related experience working in a communications department.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate contact and make pitches to media outlets.
• Ability to draft compelling and effective communication outputs.
• Clear Child Abuse Registry and Criminal Background Checks.

SKILLS AND SPECIFICATIONS

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate messages through a range of styles, tools and techniques geared to the audience and nature of information.
• Detailed oriented coupled with strong organizational skills.
• Aptitude to react quickly while maintaining a positive organizational image.
• Ability to interact with a wide range of people with tact and diplomacy.
• Strong planning and coordination skills complemented by creative thinking.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Demonstrated professionalism, discretion and sound judgment.
• Experience using media monitoring tools, content management systems, and Adobe Suite.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet offers a competitive compensation package including:

• Employer-paid health & dental benefits
• Matching RRSP program
• Subsidized bus pass
• Complimentary and discounted tickets to RWB performances
• Employee Assistance Program

HOW TO APPLY

Ready to join our team? Tell us about yourself! Submit your cover letter and resume to ***email_hidden***. While we’d like to connect with each applicant, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

As part of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet hiring process, successful candidates will be required to submit a satisfactory Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Registry Check.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is committed to an inclusive and diverse environment that values, respects and supports all individuals. We aim to have a workforce representative of the diversity within our community, and welcome and encourage applicants from various backgrounds including women, Indigenous people, racialized people, disabled people, people of all sexual and gender identities and others who may contribute to further diversification endeavors.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is committed to providing accessible employment while ensuring our recruitment process is barrier free. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the assessment and selection process. Requests for accommodation can be sent to ***email_hidden*** .