Title:                     Programming Manager

Reports to:          President/CEO

Location:             Charleston, South Carolina

Type:                    Full-time, exempt, evening and weekend hours will be required.

Organization Background

The Charleston Gaillard Center is a 1,800-seat performance hall located in Charleston, South Carolina. The newly constructed facility also contains 16,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, along with office and public spaces. The Charleston Gaillard Management Corporation is a non-profit 501c3 organization responsible for managing the facility. 

The Charleston Gaillard Center's mission is to provide the Lowcountry with a world-class performance hall, elegant venue space, and vibrant educational opportunities inspiring our dynamic community through the power of the performing arts. We seek to enrich the diverse community of Charleston with artistic and cultural experiences that are accessible and unique, and to serve as an education resource for generations to come.  For more information about the Charleston Gaillard Center, please visit http://www.gaillardcenter.org.

Position Summary

The Programming Manager (PM) is responsible for selecting, planning, and scheduling programming at the Charleston Gaillard Center.  The PM will work closely with the senior leadership team, the President/CEO, and the board-level Artistic Programming Advisory Committee to establish and maintain overall programming objectives and standards that are consistent with the organization’s mission and integral to the community, and then identify, secure, and execute programs that are consistent with those objectives and standards.

Responsibilities

• Work with the President/CEO and senior leadership team to establish and maintain overall programming objectives and standards that are consistent with the organization’s mission and integral to the community.
• Maintain consistent communication about programming with senior leadership team.
• Review and comment on all Performance Hall events, including Full Facility rentals, before they are formally booked.
• Work with resident organizations, Spoleto Festival USA and Charleston Symphony Orchestra, on scheduling, contract negotiation, and event settlements.
• Research and identify artists and performances appropriate for consideration at the Charleston Gaillard Center. Genres include but not limited to dance, classical music, Broadway, concerts, comedy, and family shows.
• Utilize industry tools and a professional network to solicit and negotiate contracts with artistic talent for performances at the Charleston Gaillard Center.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between the agent/artist/promoter/co-promoter and the Charleston Gaillard Center.
• Review artist contracts to ensure their compliance with corporate policies and regulations, and negotiate the terms of those contracts where necessary to ensure contract terms are consistent. Responsible for the collection and communication all additional necessary information including technical riders, tax documentation, payment terms, and insurance requirements.
• Responsible for the successful administration of all shows booked.
• Support the Education Program by working with the Director of Education to contract educational components for artistic programs.
• Coordinate with the Director of Ticketing and the Director of Marketing to ensure all marketing/branding efforts and ticket sales are coordinated and consistent with contractual expectations.
• Share strategic plans with senior staff and work together to develop creative pricing plans, selling tactics, marketing plans, diverse season offerings, and outreach efforts to ensure achievement of organizational goals.
• Work with the VP of Finance to develop individual show budgets and seasonal budgets. Facilitate the timely communication of financial information and submission of actual expenses to the Finance Department.
• Serve as the primary individual responsible for the collection of show expenses and timely settlements.
• Collaborate with the Development and Marketing Departments to facilitate sponsorships and coordinate donor and membership events that are directly related to programming.
• Maintain a level of professional education and participate in conferences, seminars, artist previews, and meetings that will provide up-to-date knowledge of industry standards, professional connections in the field, and knowledge of artist tours and availability.
• Work with the Director of Production & Event Services and the Technical Director to facilitate successful budgeting for, and execution of, programs.
• Supervise the preparation of related financial reports and necessary documentation on the economic performance of events.
• Attend industry trade conferences, such as IEBA, APAP, Pollstar, and ISPA.
• Maintain professional demeanor and level of expertise in order to best represent the senior leadership team of the CGMC.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A proven and measurable track record of at least 5 years of programming experience at a performing arts center or equivalent venue.
• Experience with contract terms and negotiation.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• A proven and measurable track record of successful face-to-face interactions with artists, agents, managers, promoters, and venue production staff.
• Experience in working in a collaborative environment with other senior staff.
• An established knowledge of the performing arts, including Broadway, theater, dance, classical music, concerts, and comedy.
• Extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Have a demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and manage details of several concurrent projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a non-profit or university environment and collaborating with educational programming and event sponsorship teams.
• Experience booking a venue in a competitive market with multiple similarly-sized venues.
• Experience working with committees and collaborating on programming initiatives.
• History of community collaboration and diversity in programming.

Physical Requirements

• Activities may require sustained periods of movement, traversing, and positioning to meet facility and event demands.

• Work may include prolonged periods of sitting, typing, or looking at a computer screen.

Pay and Benefits

Pay is commensurate on experience. Please state your salary requirements in your cover letter.

The GMC provides a competitive benefit package that includes:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• Paid time off
• 403(b)
• Onsite parking

NO PHONE CALLS

The CGMC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. Individuals from underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.