Programming Manager

Position Title: Programming Manager
Department: Programming
Reports to: Director of Programming
FLSA Status: Exempt
Date Updated: 2/9/26

Position Summary :

The Programming Manager is an integral member of the Cultural Trust’s programming team, led by the Chief Programming & Engagement Officer, which is responsible for curation of programming to fulfill the Trust’s artistic mission, align with industry best practices and relevant trends, and meet department/organization metrics. In addition to managing the venue calendars for all performance related programming, the position provides extensive support to the Programming department’s senior team members to program and implement the mixed portfolio of mission focused and revenue generating bookings/programs. As a member of the larger Programming, Arts Education, and Community Engagement (PEACE) unit, this position requires a flexible schedule that includes evening and weekend hours, especially during performance and festival weeks.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required :

Education : Bachelor’s degree in an arts or event related field required.

Work Experience : 2-3 years’ experience in arts administration, event management or production, contract administration, or operations management required. Music industry (i.e., concerts/festivals) knowledge a plus.

Supervisory Experience : Prior experience managing operational teams preferred, especially management of volunteers or part-time, customer service-related teams.

Technical Skills : Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite required. Familiarity with Adobe document management tools is highly preferred. Ability to quickly become proficient in industry specific software (i.e., Momentus, Tessitura) and appropriate use of Ai for efficiency is key.

Intangibles : Detail-oriented, highly organized, independent worker who is comfortable training others. Possesses strong communication skills and calm demeanor to work with artists/promoters with different personalities and levels of sophistication. Capable relationship builder with artists and community partners. Able to balance aesthetic sense and business sense effectively. Strong multi-tasking skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Essential Functions :

Main job responsibilities :

• Serve as the first point of contact for all booking inquiries for the Benedum, Byham, and Greer theaters by providing scheduling availability and managing hold positions for internal and external users.
• In collaboration with other programming team members, strategically review incoming requests to categorize holds as direct buy, co-presentation, or rental opportunities.
• Follow up with external and internal stakeholders on calendar holds and avails to keep the most up to date calendar to continue to accept rentals, co-pros, and direct buys.
• For rental inquiries, provide information on availability, rental rates, tech specs, and other technical and logistical elements, determining the optimal moment to transfer the relationship to the relevant Operations team member.
• For direct buys or co-productions, support the relevant Programming team member in managing the booking, including but not limited to submitting riders for production projections, providing event considerations for marketing projections, issuing and executing offers, and other general administrative support.
• Issue, edit, and administer contracts and engagement agreements, riders, artist payments, and additional expenses.
• Manage and coordinate department calendars and show calendars to ensure there is assigned staff coverage at all necessary events.
• Provide on-site support for various Trust engagements as needed.
• Provide cost information for show settlements for artist-related costs and work with Finance to confirm figures and pay artists.

• Assist Directors and Chief Programming & Engagement Officer with the evaluation of artists and performances to determine whether they are appropriate for Trust programming.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
  
  

Supervisory responsibility : The Manager does not have direct reports. However, this position may manage large numbers of volunteers, part-time , or independent contractors on site for event execution.

Decision-making responsibility : This position has significant discretion regarding all implementation issues for the programs managed.


Budgetary responsibility : The Manager helps build and monitor budgets for events to ensure costs stay within projected results.


Strategic responsibility : Although the Manager is not responsible for the strategic goals of the department, they will collaborate with the rest of the team to shape and enact the strategic vision for programming at the Trust.

Reporting requirements : The Manager provides internal reporting within the Programming department as requested.


Travel requirements : Limited travel (less than 5%) is required for this position.

Physical demands : This position involves mainly office work – occasional lifting up to 20-30 lbs. may be required. The individual should be able to sit and/or view a computer screen for extended periods of time. When supervising volunteers and interns during events, walking and/or standing for extended periods of time is necessary.

Salary Range starts at $48,000.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

Employees are expected to be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position, with or without job modification/reasonable accommodation. If an employee believes a job modification/reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources so that a review can be conducted. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust strives to comply with the accommodation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and other related federal, state, and local laws.