Publicist
Lincoln Center - New York, NY /
Press & Communications /
Full-Time
/ On-site
The Metropolitan Opera is looking for a dynamic publicist to join the Press and Communications team. The successful candidate will be able to place stories in both print and digital media on a regular basis, expanding press coverage for the company beyond traditional placements. The publicist must have deep knowledge and understanding of opera, along with strong familiarity with media publications in New York, nationally, and internationally, as well as excellent news judgment and storytelling ability.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Work with the Director of Press and Communications to devise and secure maximum coverage for Met performances and related initiatives across a broad range of print, digital, and broadcast outlets and social media channels.
- Provide specialist opera knowledge that can inform repertoire driven stories to support the operas and artists presented by the Met.
- Liaise closely with external PR agencies, artist publicists, and managers to maximize media coverage for specific performances, artists, and other initiatives.
- Build and maintain excellent ongoing working relationships with journalists, critics, editors, bloggers, and commentators across local, national, and international media.
- Draft, coordinate, and distribute press releases for Met productions and other initiatives as required.
- Identify and publicize stories related to all Met activities, including The Met:Live in HD, the Met’s comprehensive education program, the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, the National Council Auditions, the Met Opera Shop, etc.
- Provide relevant and informed media-related advice to artists and staff at the Met.
- Represent the Met at performances to provide media with information and answer questions (a minimum of two performances per week, including Saturdays and Sundays, throughout the opera season).
- Contribute to the smooth operation of the Met press office, including media monitoring, maintaining an extensive, up-to-date contact database, and ensuring that all press queries are dealt with efficiently and in a timely manner.
Qualifications & Skill Requirements:
- Minimum 5-7 years of public relations, media relations, or communications experience, ideally in a performing arts environment. Agency experience is a plus. Broad knowledge and passion for classical music, theater, and opera are essential.
- Strong team player who is able to negotiate and adjust workload or work process to meet team needs.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and proofing, as well as verbal communication skills.
- Proven ability to work under pressure to deliver multiple projects as required.
- A developed network of media contacts across arts, entertainment and news media.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred.
$85,000 - $95,000 a year
The Metropolitan Opera believes that diversity is critical to our success and growth as a leading performing arts institution and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities we serve.
The Metropolitan Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
