Presented Programming Manager

DEPARTMENT: Artistic

REPORTS TO: Director of Presented Programming

PAY: Annual, Full-time; Salaried; Exempt (not eligible for overtime)

LOCATION & SCHEDULE: This is an in-person position reporting to our administrative offices located at 91 University Place in Princeton, NJ with a schedule largely based on the performance calendar and other departmental needs. This may include evenings, weekends, and holidays, as scheduled in advance.

START DATE: This position is preferred to start on or around May 12, 2025.

POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

McCarter Theatre Center is seeking a Presented Programming Manager to support the Director of Presenting Programming (DPP)’s overall artistic vision for the Presented Series while overseeing contracting, payments, and logistical execution for approximately 50 performances annually as part of the Presented Events Series at McCarter. A capable project manager, and eager problem solver, this individual will serve as a key liaison between artists’ representatives and McCarter’s departments to communicate information, coordinate plans, and ensure all contractual obligations are properly executed. If you thrive in a dynamic setting and enjoy supporting and elevating the work of a wide array of artists across disciplines, we’d love to hear from you!

Essential Functions & Duties:

Artist Contracting:

• Collaborate with the DPP to draft offer letters and budgets for prospective performances.
• Review and amend artist contracts and riders, working closely with Production, Marketing, Front of House & Patron Services teams.
• Track all bonding documents related to performances, ensuring timely completion of contracts and riders.
• Collect and process payment documents (e.g., deposits, balances, bonuses, buyouts), ensuring prompt completion of all payments; issue invoices and/or agreements and ensure timely payments from partners.
• Prepare and issue settlement sheets for performances in collaboration with the Finance team.
• Support international artists with work visa applications and related foreign entity tax withholding details in concert with the Finance team when necessary.

Partnership Management:

• Collaborate with internal departments to plan and execute ancillary events (e.g., Artist VIP engagements, pre-show talks, photo ops etc.).
• Oversee artists’ external engagements in coordination with other departments (e.g., school visits, Princeton University talks, workshops).
• Promptly disseminate engagement information to partners and departments to ensure that all parties are informed and aligned.
• Serve as the primary coordinator for artist relations at internal and external ancillary events.

Artist Relations:

• Support Stage Operations, Company Management and Front of House teams on liaising with artists’ teams and address questions related to pre-negotiated terms as needed.
• Liaise with Patron Services and Company Management teams to arrange artists’ ticket requests as needed.
• Gather and distribute upcoming performance details weekly to internal departments, as well as ‘Ticket Count and Sales Reports’ to artists when needed, with support from IT.
• Maintain and update artist contact information for distribution across departments.

Marketing & Ticketing Coordination:

• Collaborate with IT on “ticket build”, gathering all information needed for event creation in Tessitura, including seating configurations upon rider review and in communication with Production, Patron Services, IT & Marketing.
• Coordinate artist & VIP pre-sales in collaboration with Production, Patron Services, IT & Marketing, ensuring all parties have the information and pre-sales are executed seamlessly.
• Coordinate artist pre-sales on platforms such as Seated.com in connection with other departments.
• Conduct ticket prices research to assist the DPP and Marketing team in projecting ticket sales for prospect bookings.
• Connect artist representatives with Marketing and support in gathering promotional assets and program information when needed; distribute McCarter promotional materials to artists.
• Review and proofread promotional content related to the Presented Series.

General Responsibilities:

• Maintain a comprehensive event overview for each Presented Series performance, ensuring all gaps and details are thoroughly addressed.
• Foster and sustain professional relationships with artists, agents, and managers, in collaboration with DDP.
• Support DPP with potential negotiation with external promoters.
• Assist the DPP in providing narratives and budget information for grant applications and reporting.
• Execute quarterly music licensing reporting for Presented Events.
• Respond to general programming inquiries via email and phone.
• Support the DPP on various projects and tasks as needed.
• Prioritize safe working practices while embodying McCarter's safety and community expectations policies to maintain a secure environment for all staff, patrons and guest artists.
• Engage in the ongoing work of fostering an equitable and inclusive environment at McCarter. Actively seek ways to improve work practices to ensure greater accessibility, representation, and belonging for all, while upholding and exhibiting our stated values of “justice and joy, beauty and belonging.”

Qualifications:

·       Passion for event production with problem-solving and quick decision-making mindset.

·       Proven track record of excellence in project and contract management.

·       Relevant experience in a professional non-profit arts or music industry organization.

·       Natural team player who excels in cross-departmental collaboration, anticipating needs, and fostering a cooperative work environment.

·       Exceptional organizational, fiscal, and time management skills, and thorough attention to detail.

·       Ability to manage current and future projects at the same time, keeping information across-fiscal years organized.

·       Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly in Outlook and Excel.

·       Proficiency and/or ability to learn different work platforms such as ArtsVision, Tessitura, Wrike and Financial Edge.

·       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, fostering positive working relationships with colleagues and artists, across various departments.

·       A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work harmoniously with individuals from diverse backgrounds, personalities, and work styles, always approaching challenges with optimism, civility, and a solutions-oriented approach.

·       Exhibit a critical consciousness and genuine interest in promoting equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace values and practices while working with individuals of diverse needs, personalities, and work styles, and employing an optimistic and solution-oriented mindset towards fostering inclusivity and support within the team environment.

·       Final candidates must successfully complete a background check. 

Preferred Qualifications:

·       The ideal candidate will embody an enthusiasm for live performing arts, with particular interest in supporting and elevating the work of global artists across many disciplines.

Work Environment:

• Led by our core values, McCarter fosters and expects a culture of care and respect for the wellbeing of our staff. We seek individuals who share our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace, where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.
• Work will primarily be completed in a shared office space in our administrative office spaces, subject to HVAC cooling and heating.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, and to travel locally as needed to attend performances for scouting purposes.
• This position entails extended periods of sitting, manual dexterity for operating office equipment, and the ability to read and interpret documents, engaging in repetitive tasks, standing, walking, bending, and reaching within the office environment.
• Employees may be asked to use a personal cell phone in order to access authenticator apps and related software necessary for work credentials/multi-factor authentication (MFA). Employees should be comfortable using their personal devices for these purposes as part of their job responsibilities, as workarounds cannot be guaranteed in order to access certain platforms.

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of McCarter.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

McCarter is one of the country's flagship theatres, a vibrant center for community and for the performing arts, and a key cultural anchor for Central New Jersey. Located on the campus of Princeton University and incorporated as an independent, charitable nonprofit, the company is a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub of arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages.

A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence traces back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. A home for new play development and world premieres, the company has launched numerous works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances reaching millions of audience members around the world.

Among the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 7,500 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust arts-in-education offerings. The company offers more than 20 annual in-school residencies in classrooms in Princeton and Trenton, hosts schools from throughout the region for student matinee performances, and offers need-based scholarships to every one of its dozens of educational after-school and summer programs each year. Co-led by Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen and Executive Director Martin Miller, McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT

McCarter is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring, supporting, and promoting a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. As such, McCarter seeks team members who: contribute to a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to support an expansive artistic vision; are committed to engaging in ongoing anti-racism and anti-oppression work collectively and individually; value collaboration, curiosity, flexibility, and an openness to continuous personal and professional growth. 

We encourage all candidates to apply, even if they do not currently meet all the qualifications. We know there are great candidates who may not have all the qualifications listed above but possess intuitive knowledge or other fully transferable skills. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. McCarter is committed to on-the-job training and mentorship. We also encourage candidates who do not live within commuting distance to apply; We are eager to tell you about the area, which includes many vibrant communities and towns outside of Princeton.  

McCarter Theatre Center is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in the application and hiring process for individuals with disabilities if needed and requested. To request disability accommodation, please contact (609) 258-6500 and connect with Human Resources or email [email protected].

TO APPLY

Please visit our Career Center page to apply for this position. Please include a resume and a cover letter. We look forward to learning more about you!