The Marketing, Communications & Digital Media Department is responsible for achieving earned revenue goals and creating and maintaining a high level of visibility around the activities, mission, vision and values of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops and the Cincinnati May Festival. The Publications Manager is responsible for supporting the execution of plans for the orchestra's in-house magazine, Fanfare Magazine, print and digital programs, and other publications. This role involves coordinating with writers, editors, designers, photographers and other stakeholders to ensure timely delivery and high-quality production of content. The Publications Manager will oversee the editorial process, from story assignments and interviews to final publication, while ensuring consistency with the Orchestra’s brand voice and overall messaging. The position requires a detail-oriented, organized individual with a passion for storytelling and the arts.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Communications & Content Development in creating editorial calendars for Fanfare Magazine, the Orchestra's in-house magazine, print and digital publications, commercial recording booklets and other content projects.
• Coordinate with writers, editors and designers to ensure smooth and timely execution of publication timelines.
• Assign stories to writers, ensuring alignment with the editorial calendar and the orchestra's messaging priorities.
• Schedule and coordinate interviews with musicians, conductors, staff and other key spokespeople for feature stories and articles.
• Collaborate with writers to ensure that articles are aligned with the Orchestra’s voice, brand and mission.
• Review, proofread and edit articles and other publication content to ensure accuracy, clarity and consistency.
• Ensure all content adheres to deadlines, maintaining a high standard of quality for both print and digital formats.
• Manage the approval process for all editorial content, working closely with the Director of Communications and senior staff as needed.
• Oversee the production process of the orchestra’s in-house magazine and other print and digital materials, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget.
• Liaise with designers, printers and digital platforms to ensure the final product meets expectations in terms of design, quality and distribution.
• Coordinate the logistics of magazine distribution, including print runs, deliveries and digital publication.
• Work closely with the marketing, public relations and development teams to ensure publications align with the Orchestra’s broader communication strategies.
• Collaborate with external vendors, such as freelance writers and designers, to ensure high-quality content creation and timely delivery.
• Manage and track multiple publication projects simultaneously, ensuring that all tasks are completed on schedule.
• Regularly update stakeholders on the status of content development and production timelines.
• Assist with writing or editing specific articles, program notes, or other content as needed.
• Assist with layout of short programs and program inserts.
• Contribute to the development of digital and social media content that complements the Orchestra's publications.
• Stay current on industry trends in publishing and content creation, bringing new ideas and strategies to the team.
• Assign and collaborate with photographers for all photography sessions.
• Assist in the creation of shot list for photography.
• Schedule and communicate with all photography subjects.
• Collect and store final photography assets.
• Collect, organize and report analytics related to the digital program and print publications.
• Perform concert duty, including but not limited to liaising with the media, coordinating photography, and coaching spokespeople for statements and announcements, and livestream coverage.
• Support the institution’s strategic plan and DE&I initiatives and serve on strategic implementation team(s) as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned

Reporting Relationship: The Publications Manager reports to the Director of Communications & Content Development and works closely with writers, editors, designers, photographers and production teams. This position also collaborates marketing, public relations, and philanthropy teams to ensure cohesion across communication channels.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in publishing, editorial management, content development or a related field. Experience working with print and digital publications, ideally in an arts or nonprofit setting, is highly desirable.
• Strong editorial skills, including proofreading, editing, and fact-checking.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and adhering to tight deadlines.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to coordinate with internal teams and external contributors.
• Proficiency with publishing software and tools (e.g., Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office Suite) and familiarity with digital content management platforms.
• Creative, resourceful, and proactive, with a passion for the arts and storytelling.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Flexible and adaptable, able to respond to shifting priorities and deadlines.
• A deep appreciation for the Orchestra's mission and a commitment to promoting its work through engaging, high-quality publications.

About Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Comprised of the world’s finest musicians, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra aims to fulfill its mission: to seek and share inspiration. A cornerstone of the Cincinnati arts community, the CSO’s vision is to engage audiences and community better than any other orchestra in the world. The CSO, which also performs and records as the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, presents over 100 concerts and events annually. As one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the United States, the CSO has achieved international critical acclaim and an operating budget that consistently places it among America’s top 10 orchestras. An Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts grant recipient the CSO serves as an ambassador for Greater Cincinnati to the world through national and international tours and an extensive Grammy-winning recording catalog, with over 10 million recordings sold worldwide. The success of the CSO is predicated by its values: it is an orchestra determined for greatness and committed to experimentation that serves as Cincinnati’s ambassador to the world and remains devoted to the Cincinnati community.

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