Marketing Director

About the Organization

First Avenue is a long-established, independently owned concert venue operator with a deep history in live music. Over the years, it has hosted generations of fans, musicians, and performers, while continuing to build new connections with artists at every stage of their careers.

The organization provides practical, hands-on learning across event booking, promotion, ticketing, production, and venue operations. It is focused on expanding a workplace culture that is more collaborative, inclusive, diverse, transparent, and forward-thinking.

Role Overview

The Marketing Director will report to the Chief Marketing Officer and lead marketing strategy and execution across First Avenue’s full venue and restaurant portfolio, along with external promotions, brand work, and upcoming projects. This is a senior leadership position for someone who can work closely with multiple teams, manage people effectively, and keep campaigns organized, efficient, and results-driven.

The role calls for a hands-on leader with strong communication and relationship-building skills, a sharp eye for detail, and a process-minded approach to improving how teams work together.

Core Values

• Champion diversity, individuality, and inclusion, including a broad range of entertainment genres and voices.
• Operate with strong integrity and treat everyone with respect.
• Help build a welcoming, community-focused environment.
• Care about creating the best possible experience for people attending events.

Schedule and Work Setting

This is a full-time, exempt onsite role based in the Twin Cities. Regular presence in the office is required, and working hours may shift depending on show schedules and leadership needs. Evening, weekend, and holiday availability may occasionally be needed, though not on a routine basis.

Key Responsibilities

You will lead the marketing function across a busy, multi-venue live events business, guiding teams, campaign strategy, partner coordination, and revenue-related marketing initiatives.

• Direct the marketing team’s day-to-day work so ticket sales goals are met or exceeded.
• Set clear expectations for campaign quality, timing, and output across all venues and event types.
• Lead and develop direct reports by building trust, clarity, and accountability.
• Strengthen collaboration between creative, marketing, and digital teams.
• Create systems and workflows that improve efficiency without limiting quality or creativity.
• Own the strategy for concert and event campaigns across all venues, ensuring paid, earned, and organic channels work together.
• Track ticket sales and campaign performance, then adjust tactics quickly when needed.
• Manage budget allocation, advertising spend, projections, and ROAS reporting.
• Use performance data to refine strategy and continuously improve results.
• Coordinate with artist management, tour marketers, agents, and outside promoter partners on plans, budgets, and promotions.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with external promoter partners and industry marketing contacts.
• Work with booking, ticketing, marketing, and venue operations to keep campaigns aligned and effective.
• Partner with booking teams on announcement timing, marketing windows, and promotional planning.
• Oversee media, PR, and communications work to support consistent earned coverage for concerts, events, and the brand.
• Contribute to sponsorship development and ancillary revenue opportunities.
• Support the membership program and identify marketing opportunities tied to major announcements and events.
• Build advertising plans and coordinate budgets to increase overall marketing impact.
• Help drive revenue through merch, restaurant promotions, event upsells, and similar opportunities.
• Take on additional duties as needed.

Requirements

• 7 to 10+ years of marketing experience, ideally in live events or ticketed entertainment.
• 3 to 5 years of people management experience with a track record of developing teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional background.
• Experience running multi-show campaigns with measurable ticket sales results.
• Background in full campaign planning from on-sale through final promotional push.
• Direct experience working with artist and agency marketing teams.
• Experience managing advertising budgets and reporting on ROAS and campaign performance.
• Comfort using tools such as Google Analytics, Meta Ads Manager, and email marketing platforms like Hive or Mailchimp.
• Ability to analyze results, interpret data, and make informed adjustments to strategy.
• Experience creating, segmenting, and activating email and SMS audiences in CRM systems.
• Proven ability to run paid digital campaigns across Meta, Google, TikTok, and similar platforms with a focus on conversion and ROI.
• Experience with ticketing systems such as AXS, Etix, or Ticketmaster is preferred.
• Strong project management skills and comfort working across multiple teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building ability.
• Interest in improving workflows through new technology, systems, tools, and AI-enabled software.
• Very organized approach with the ability to handle many fast-moving deadlines across simultaneous events.
• Passion for live music and entertainment.
• Must be available Monday through Friday, generally between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, with shifts that may run 8 to 10 hours.
• Occasional night and weekend availability is required.
• Regular in-office attendance is required in Minneapolis, with travel to venues across Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and nearby areas as needed.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must already be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Reliable transportation to downtown Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and surrounding areas is required.

Physical Requirements

• Able to sit or stand for long periods.
• Able to move products from an outside receiving area to designated locations inside different venues.
• Able to place items on shelves at different heights.
• Able to walk up and down stairs and ramps.
• Able to bend, lift, reach, grab, pull, push, and carry items up to 45 pounds.
• Able to move around multiple venues and multi-level buildings.
• Able to quickly learn and use touch-screen devices, computers, and mobile devices.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $80,000 to $95,000 per year, depending on experience.

Eligible benefits include health insurance with employer contribution, dental insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan with discretionary employer match, employee-paid life and disability insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, and select concert ticket and employee purchase discounts.

Equal Opportunity

First Avenue is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and non-binary people, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.