Organizer Information
Colburn is an internationally recognized nonprofit performing arts institution located in downtown Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1950 as a preparatory music program affiliated with the University of Southern California, Colburn became an independent nonprofit organization in 1980. Today, it provides music and dance education to more than 2,000 students annually while presenting performances and cultural programs for the broader community.
Colburn operates the Conservatory of Music, Music Academy, Community School of Performing Arts, and Trudl Zipper Dance Institute. The institution currently presents more than 350 performances annually and operates several performance venues, including Zipper Hall, Thayer Hall, and Mayman Hall. A major campus expansion is scheduled to open in 2027, including the 1,077-seat Terri and Jerry Kohl Hall and a new dance center designed by Frank Gehry.
Title & Description
Assistant Vice President of Performance & Rentals Marketing
Colburn is seeking a senior marketing leader to develop and execute strategies that increase audiences, ticket sales, venue rentals, and earned revenue. The Assistant Vice President (AVP) will position Colburn as a leading destination for music, dance, performances, celebrations, conferences, and other events in Los Angeles.
The role combines strategic brand development, audience engagement, performance marketing, revenue generation, analytics, and hands-on campaign execution. The successful candidate will also lead marketing preparations for Colburn's major 2027 campus expansion.
The Role Overview
- Position: Assistant Vice President of Performance & Rentals Marketing
- Contract Type: Full-time, on-site employment
- Location: Downtown Los Angeles, California, USA
- Reports to: Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
- Direct Reports: Senior Marketing Manager and Box Office Manager, with additional team development responsibilities
- Salary: $160,000–$220,000 annually
- Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability; life insurance; paid vacation and sick leave; 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
- Recruitment Consultant: Arts Consulting Group
Position & Tasks
The AVP will lead comprehensive performance marketing strategies covering more than 350 annual performances. Responsibilities include developing campaigns, pricing strategies, audience offers, promotional initiatives, and revenue plans; managing marketing budgets and KPIs; and overseeing digital, email, social media, search, print, direct mail, radio, and other channels.
The position will also develop audience segmentation and engagement strategies, cultivate new and repeat audiences, build community partnerships, and collaborate with philanthropy, academic leadership, faculty, and other institutional teams.
For rentals, the AVP will develop marketing and sales strategies for Colburn's venues, targeting performances, celebrations, conferences, corporate events, and other special events.
The role will also lead marketing preparations for the 2027 campus expansion, including destination positioning, launch campaigns, audience growth, pricing, patron experience, box-office operations, and the effective use of ticketing and CRM technologies such as Spektrix.
The AVP will analyze market intelligence, ticket sales, audience behavior, and competitive activity; prepare forecasts and reports; and advise executive leadership on marketing and earned-revenue opportunities.
Categories
- Performing Arts Administration
- Arts Marketing
- Audience Development
- Music
- Dance
- Event and Venue Management
- Cultural Management
- Marketing and Communications
Eligibility
- At least 10 years of performance-marketing experience with a performing arts presenter, orchestra, opera company, or similar organization.
- At least 3 years of director-level or equivalent experience.
- A demonstrated history of planning, forecasting, and achieving annual ticket-revenue goals of $1 million or more.
- Strong knowledge of classical music, jazz, and dance.
- Experience with dynamic pricing, audience segmentation, loyalty programs, and pricing strategy.
- Strong digital-marketing expertise.
- Experience supervising box-office teams or working closely with box-office operations and customer service.
- Familiarity with ticketing and CRM platforms such as Tessitura, Spektrix, AudienceView, or comparable systems.
- Demonstrated staff-management and mentoring experience.
- Excellent communication, project-management, organizational, and collaborative skills.
Colburn is an equal opportunity employer and states that it does not discriminate in employment on legally protected grounds.
Program Benefits
The position offers a $160,000–$220,000 annual salary and a comprehensive employee benefits package, including healthcare, disability and life insurance, paid leave, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
The successful candidate will also have a senior leadership role in the marketing and revenue development of a major performing arts institution and will participate in the launch of Colburn's expanded campus and new performance facilities in 2027.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application deadline: Ongoing
- Expected campus expansion: 2027
Applicants should therefore verify the current status of the search and any closing date through the official recruitment page before applying.
Location
Downtown Los Angeles, California, United States
Additional Details
The position is being recruited during a major period of institutional expansion. Colburn's new 2027 facilities will substantially increase its performance capacity, audience potential, and opportunities for venue rentals and earned revenue.
The successful candidate is expected to combine strategic leadership with hands-on execution, working across marketing, box office, philanthropy, academic programs, facilities, artists, designers, web staff, and other stakeholders. The role is particularly focused on translating audience and market data into measurable growth in attendance, engagement, ticket revenue, and rental activity.