Programming Manager

Zeiterion Theatre Inc•New Bedford, MA

4d•$55,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Programming Manager manages the business side of bringing artists to The Zeiterion’s stages. Reporting to the VP of Programs, this role serves as a day-to-day contact for agents, managers, and booking representatives, vets incoming leads, and carries approved engagements from offer through signed contract and settlement. The manager ensures agreements align with budgets, venue capabilities, and production requirements, and communicates offer, contract, and rider requirements to relevant staff, including notice of changes. Mainstage programming is central to the role. The manager also partners with Education and Community Programs, Rentals, and other departments on programming across the building and contributes to the organization’s overall programming strategy. The position begins with research, lead vetting, and preliminary conversations with artist representatives about logistics. Depending on experience, it may expand to include partnership with the VP on curatorial vision and a more proactive role in relationship management and procurement. The role is based in a hybrid, in-office setting in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The work environment is collaborative and primarily indoor office work, with occasional movement between floors. The position may require occasional evenings and weekends for performances and industry events, as well as occasional travel.

Requirements

3–6 years of experience in performing arts presenting, booking, artist management, or venue programming, including direct responsibility for managing artist contracts.
Working knowledge of standard artist agreements, deal structures, and settlements.
Ability to read and assess technical riders and communicate effectively with production staff.
Excellent negotiation, written, and verbal communication skills.
Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple deals concurrently.
Comfort using spreadsheets, budgets, and contract or calendar tracking tools.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for performances and industry events, and to travel occasionally.
Commitment to The Zeiterion’s mission and to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship and corporate transfers are not available.
Successful completion of a background check, including a Massachusetts CORI check.

Nice To Haves

Established relationships with agents and booking representatives.
Experience supervising or directing the work of others.
Experience leading show settlements.
Experience with booking or event management software, such as PatronManager.
Familiarity with the touring market in New England or the Northeast.
Experience at a nonprofit or multi-use presenting venue.
Multilingual ability in Spanish, Portuguese, Kriolu (Cape Verdean Creole), Haitian Creole, or K’iche, in addition to English.

Responsibilities

Monitor, respond to, and triage inquiries from agents and artist representatives; vet opportunities and advance promising leads to the VP of Programs.
Serve as a primary contact for booking agents, artist managers, and representatives, maintaining relationships that support access to talent and favorable deal terms.
Pursue holds, routing opportunities, and availabilities with the VP of Programs to support season planning.
Represent The Zeiterion in the presenting field, including at industry and booking conferences as appropriate.
Schedule and coordinate meetings between the VP of Programs and artists, management, and agents, including at conferences, and follow up promptly.
Research potential programming leads and agent connections; hold preliminary conversations with artist representatives about availability and logistics.
Prepare offers and deal terms for approval, including guarantees, splits, ticket pricing, radius clauses, hospitality, and merchandise terms; coordinate with internal stakeholders to develop budgets and terms as needed.
Manage the contract lifecycle, including drafting and reviewing agreements and riders, redlining, routing for approval and signature, tracking deadlines and deposits, and maintaining organized records.
Identify contractual, financial, and operational risks and escalate matters outside the role’s authority.
Keep contract documentation, compliance items such as insurance certificates and tax forms, and payment schedules accurate and on time.
Lead or support show settlements with artist representatives in partnership with Finance, Box Office, and other stakeholders as needed.
Review technical and hospitality riders, obtain internal feedback on feasibility, and propose changes to artist representatives when needed.
Collaborate with Production on readiness and conflict resolution to support a smooth experience for visiting artists.
Maintain clear, current documentation for programs.
Contribute to season planning, programming budgets, and calendar management.
Coordinate with Marketing, Box Office, and Finance to align announcements, on-sale dates, and financial terms with contract commitments.
Track program results and agent and artist feedback to inform future booking decisions.
Partner with Education and Community Programs, Rentals, and other departments on programming across the building, including collaborations with local artists and organizations, and help align programming streams with the organization’s overall strategy.
Communicate confirmed engagements, holds, schedule changes, and artist needs to relevant staff in a timely manner.
Track and manage programming deadlines, including holds, offer expirations, conference registrations, and internal planning milestones.
Perform other duties as assigned.