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The Ark
316 S. Main in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan
Digital & Social Media Specialist
Since 1965, The Ark has been Michigan’s nonprofit home for folk and roots music. Considered one of the top music clubs in the world, The Ark is renowned for the quality and breadth of its programming, ranging from emerging artists to classic figures of folk and roots music. Annual programming includes 300 live performances at our intimate 400-seat venue in downtown Ann Arbor, the annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival in Hill Auditorium, and several shows at larger venues in the region.
The Ark is seeking a creative Digital & Social Media Specialist to develop and implement digital marketing strategies that enhance our brand awareness, engage with our various communities, expand our audience, and increase ticket sales. This is a new position for The Ark that has the opportunity for significant impact on the organization’s growth and evolution.
The primary areas of focus for this position include:1) Develop digital marketing strategies;2) Create digital content that engages current followers and increases the number of followers while supporting our focus on encouraging and welcoming diversity;3) Measuring the performance of strategies against established goals.
Key components for successful candidates include:1) Excited by creating diverse digital strategies to contribute to our organizational goals;2) Develop innovative content and methods to reach our target audiences and communities;3) Data driven and curious about why strategies are working, or not, and pivoting when needed.
The Digital & Social Media Specialist reports to the Marketing Director and works closely with other staff. This is a full-time role working primarily Monday-Friday with some evenings and weekends required. A part-time, benefits-eligible role at 75% FTE could be considered. The team member in this role will spend time working in both the main office and performance venue with some remote work flexibility.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBLITIES
Develop and implement visionary digital media strategy that considers both content production and audience-building efforts
Plan and execute all social media advertising campaigns
Design, build, maintain and expand on social media presence for all existing platforms, serving as primary content creator and moderator
Maintain social media calendar for regular and consistent content posting across all platforms
Develop and expand The Ark’s social media network through interaction with artist and industry social media properties and their content
Build community and engage online audiences both proactively and reactively, encouraging them to talk about Ark programming and the Ark brand
Create, maintain, and promote Facebook events for all Ark programming
Brainstorm and execute creative promotional digital initiatives such as contests and giveaways
Coordinate volunteer digital “street team” activities and other volunteer support as needed
Attend events to serve as social media voice for the organization – shoots, edits and posts event photography and videography for live shows and other relevant content (oversees staff/volunteer content contribution as needed)
Monitor messages through social media channels and respond in a timely manner, reaching out to internal stakeholders for additional information as needed
Monitor livestreams on social media platforms, share to all channels for visibility, and respond in real time to patron comments
Measure and report on performance of all digital/social marketing campaigns to assess against goals
Monitor and maintain online business listings and respond to online reviews (Yelp; Google, etc.)
Identify trends and insights and optimize spend and performance based on those insights
Evaluate emerging technologies and provide thoughtful leadership and perspective for adoption where appropriate
Act as a steward of the Ark brand inside the organization and throughout the community
Develop strategy for and explore/implement Google AdWords account; develop and recommend additional SEO strategy
Support the Marketing Director and marketing team with other initiatives as needed
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or related field preferred, but not required with relevant work experience.
Expertise with developing and implementing diversified digital marketing campaigns.
Demonstrates creativity and documented immersion in social media with links to profiles as examples.
Displays in-depth knowledge and understanding of social media platforms including, but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc., and how each platform can be optimized based on unique goals and needs.
Demonstrates excitement for staying in tune with digital marketing trends and implementing best practices.
Shifts easily between the creative side to the analytical side of marketing with the ability to present why your ideas are analytically sound; demonstrated ability to analyze and utilize data to measure results.
Excellent oral, written, and language skills to read, write and respond in clear, effective and error free correspondence.
Commitment to The Ark’s organization-wide focus on encouraging and welcoming diversity
Familiarity with and appreciation of the types of music The Ark presents is a plus
Must have reliable transportation
Salary and Benefits Information
This is a full-time (OR, possibly 75% part-time, benefits eligible), exempt position
Full-time annual equivalent salary range is $48,000 – $58,000 with starting pay based on prior qualifications and prior experience
Benefits options include: generous paid time off, health insurance (Priority Health HMO with premium currently 100% employer-paid), retirement (SIMPLE IRA with up to 3% employer match)
Application Information
Please note that a cover letter is required for consideration and should address how your experience, values and interests align with The Ark and its mission.
Candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Frequently cited statistics display that communities of color, women, and other marginalized groups apply to positions only if they completely meet qualifications. The Ark encourages you to upend those statistics and apply to this position. We excitedly anticipate your application.
The Ark is an Equal Opportunity Employer, offering equal opportunity for employment or advancement to all qualified applicants or employees without regard to age, religion, color, race, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, height, weight, or non-job-related medical condition or disability, or any unlawful criterion or circumstance.
Position will remain open until filled. Preference will be given to qualified candidates who apply by January 26, 2024. Targeted search timeline:
January 8 onward: Phone screenings for applicants of interest will occur on a rolling basis
Week of February 5, 2024: First Round Interviews (by Zoom)
Week of February 12, 2024: Second Round Interviews (on-site)
March, 2024: Anticipated start date
This search is being managed by The Andrews Group. Please submit your cover letter and resume by clicking here.
BOX OFFICE ASSOCIATE (Part-Time)
Please note: a resume is required and a cover letter is encouraged
The Ark is Michigan’s nonprofit home for folk and roots music. Considered one of the top music clubs in the world, The Ark is renowned for the quality and breadth of its programming. The intimate 400-seat venue presents performers ranging from emerging artists to classic figures of folk and roots music.
The Ark is seeking a skilled, motivated and enthusiastic part-time Box Office Associate with regular weekend availability to fill three nightly 3 hour shifts in our box office. This position provides outstanding customer service and plays a key role in keeping our nightly operations running smoothly.
The primary areas of focus for this position include:
Delivering great customer service in person, by phone and email to Ark constituents;
Staffing our box office in the evening to sell tickets, reconcile nightly settlement documentation, and prepare settlement payments;
Updating Point-of-Sale (POS) programming as needed.
Key components for the successful candidate include:
Reflecting The Ark’s world-class reputation in both public-facing interactions and behind-the-scenes work that supports the organization;
Reliably handling routine tasks and responding to day-to-day/show specific needs;
Reliably handling cash, credit and check transactions in addition to using our POS system.
Box Office Associate team members report to the Operations Director and work closely with the other club staff, including the House Manager and Night Manager team. Box Office Associates work evenings on-site at The Ark. Box office shifts are generally Mon-Sat, 6:30p.m.- 9:30pm, Sun 6:00p.m.-9:00p.m. Occasional availability is required for other events (Fall Fundraiser, Annual Meeting, weekend daytime Family Shows). The Ark is currently seeking a candidate who can regularly cover Thursdays and Sundays, and about one Tuesday per month.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBLITIES
Box Office Administration
Answer phones, assist customers, route calls
Prepare/update point of sale operations, sell tickets, gift cards and or memberships to patrons attending the show or just stopping in to make a purchase
Complete nightly box office reporting
Reconcile nightly settlement documentation and review artist settlement with Night Manager
Train volunteer ticket scanners
Identify and report box office supply needs, technology issues, etc.
Work closely with the Night Manager to open doors on time
Assist in communicating any health and safety protocols to patrons entering The Ark
Manage artist and Ark guest lists and special ticket requests
Problem solving on-site ticketing and related issues
Cash Handling, and Related Functions
Set up box office POS cash drawer before doors open
Complete purchases of tickets in the POS after processing and printing them
Prepare the artist payment via cash or check based on the fee calculated in the settlement documentation for the Night Manager
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer services skills
Proven ability to work effectively with a variety of personalities and thrive in a busy environment
Ability to cultivate a positive, welcoming atmosphere for all Ark constituents: customers, volunteers, artists, agents, fellow staff members
Demonstrated ability to resolve problems quickly and competently
Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail with regard to cash-handling, record-keeping, data entry, and other administrative tasks
Must be tech and computer savvy and capable of working efficiently with The Ark’s POS and Ticketing software, as well as Microsoft Excel and Google Drive/cloud-based platforms
Solid math skills
Prior demonstrated commitment to punctuality and reliability
Commitment to The Ark’s organization-wide focus on encouraging and welcoming diversity
Familiarity with and appreciation of the types of music The Ark presents is a plus
Availability to regularly work 2 or more shifts per week, including a week day and a weekend day
Must have reliable transportation
Job includes extended periods of sitting or standing at a computer
Job requires the ability to occasionally move items up to 25 lbs
SALARY AND BENEFITS
This is a part-time, non-exempt position
Pay rate $20/hour (a typical shift is 3 hours)
Benefits include working with a world-class team and interacting with others who have a passion for live music
Opportunity to attend non-sold out shows at The Ark on nights you’re not working
The Ark is an Equal Opportunity Employer, offering equal opportunity for employment or advancement to all qualified applicants or employees without regard to age, religion, color, race, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, height, weight, or non-job-related medical condition or disability, or any unlawful criterion or circumstance. The Ark is committed to fostering and maintaining a diverse and multicultural working environment. Candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
Please submit your cover letter and resume through this link.
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