Social Media Manager

Position Description

The Social Media Manager serves as the primary content creator, messaging strategist, and data analyst across OTSL’s public-facing social media channels, playing a vital role in the discovery and engagement of new audiences. This position also manages paid advertising across OTSL’s social media channels outside of the Festival Season. The Social Media Manager is expected to attend and photograph/film various company activities across the year and must have demonstrated skill in photography, videography, and editing with a priority on quick turnaround, especially during key periods of company activity such as the Festival Season (May–June). In addition, this position will frequently liaise with company artists and seasonal employees to collaborate on content. The Social Media Manager is responsible for performing administrative duties that require discretion and independent judgement with respect to OTSL’s public-facing profile.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Responsibilities:

Social Media

• • Following industry trends and best practice research, develop and maintain an annual social media strategy for OTSL that implements organic and paid content to maximize engagement and follower growth in support of OTSL’s audience development goals;
  • In addition to focusing on audience engagement and follower growth, collaborate on and fulfill social media and content requests from other internal departments, including but not limited to Development, Education, Advancement, Artistic Administration, and Production;
  • Execute a consistent content calendar across all of OTSL’s social media channels, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Google Business;
  • Provide friendly same-day responses to any social media mentions, comments, questions, or direct messages in keeping with the highest level of customer service, thereby contributing to increased online engagement and positive public sentiment;
  • Monitor social media conversation about OTSL, OTSL artists, and the opera industry while reinforcing positive brand recognition for OTSL;
  • Develop year-round partnerships with key community influencers and brand ambassadors across relevant social media platforms, including identifying prospects, cultivating relationships, crafting preferred marketing talking points, setting KPIs, and negotiating appropriate compensation;
  • Track and report on social media analytics, including but not limited to profile performance, post engagement, competitor benchmarking, and content pillar performance, so as to inform and improve OTSL’s ongoing social media and content strategy.

Content Capture and Creation

• • In support of social media efforts as well as other institutional campaigns, develop and implement an annual content calendar including but not limited to memes, GIFs, photo albums, short-form reels, longer-form videos, social media graphics, and more;
  • Use Adobe Creative Cloud and other necessary tools to create these promotional materials, ensuring accuracy and brand quality of all content through a robust internal review, editing, and feedback process;
  • Capture and edit photo, video, and audio content using cameras, mobile devices, and other technology to support the projects of Marketing and other departments;
  • Archive all captured and created content to OTSL’s company file-sharing system to ensure easy access for annual staff members.

Budget Management

• • Negotiate with and contract influencers or any other businesses or individuals essential to the successful execution of the goals of the position;
  • Place and manage in-house ad campaigns on Meta and other platforms in coordination with the Director of Marketing & PR;
  • Track and manage applicable budget line items, ensuring total expenditures remain at or below projections

Required Skills, Experience, Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred in photography, digital media/communications, or related area;
• 2-3 years working with social media and content creation, preferably in entertainment, non-profit, or performing arts sectors;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, video and audio editing software, social media platforms, & Google Analytics;
• Ability to estimate and manage budgets.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Creative and collaborative mindset;
• Enthusiastic about photography and videography;
• Proactive about building relationships with seasonal employees and community partners;
• Willing to provide content capture at some evening and weekend events;
• Excellent written communication skills;
• Ability to analyze data and decipher trends;
• Eager to be part of and contribute to a dynamic team;
• Extraordinary attention to detail and consistent professional follow-through;
• Ability to manage multiple competing timelines;
• Ability to perform under pressure and maintain a professional demeanor;
• Knowledge of opera is a plus, but not required.

Compensation

• This is a full-time, exempt position.
• $50,000-$55,000 annual salary
• Robust benefits package including health insurance, open PTO policy, 401k match, and more.
• Opera Theatre has a flexible work policy which allows for some hybrid work and asynchronous schedule arrangements, based on position and other factors.

Apply:

Applicants for the position are asked to submit a resume along with a cover letter that describes their interest in the position and outlines their relevant experience and qualifications. Portfolios of past social media work are highly encouraged if available.

About Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization known for innovative productions featuring outstanding young artists. The company offers a festival opera season each spring which attracts ticket buyers from zip codes throughout the metropolitan area, as well as visitors from nearly 50 states and multiple countries. As of 2025, OTSL has presented 45 world premieres, which may be the highest percentage of new work in the repertory of any American company. In addition to the spring Festival Season, OTSL operates year-round education and community programs serving nearly 17,000 local children and adults.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has a year-round artistic and administrative staff of approximately 45, which grows to nearly 500 during the Festival Season. Several hundred volunteer members of the Opera Theatre Guild provide support for all aspects of Opera Theatre’s work and advocate for the company throughout the greater St. Louis community. The company’s annual budget size is approximately $12 million; contributed revenue represents more than 50% of budget.

At Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, we value equity, diversity, and mutual respect. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, people with disabilities, and others who have been historically excluded to apply. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our community. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

OTSL will not discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion or belief; national, social, or ethnic origin; age; sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression; physical, mental, or sensory disability; family or parental status; genetic information or characteristics; protected veteran status; or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. OTSL will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

If you need assistance or accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact (314) 963-4233 or

tbennett@opera-stl.org