Director, Forbes Center for the Performing Arts

JMU Careers; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

James Madison University seeks a Director of the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts to lead one of the region’s premier performing arts venues. The role shapes seasons, cultivates audiences, and oversees operations, staff, and partnerships with faculty and community partners.

The position requires a Bachelor’s in arts administration or related field and a minimum of two years in performing arts programming, with strong leadership and fundraising abilities. Evening/weekend work is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in arts administration or related field.
• At least two years of experience in performing arts programming or arts administration, with some exposure to season planning, artist booking, or contracting.
• Familiarity with audience development strategies and ability to grow audiences.
• Familiarity with fundraising, sponsorship development, and grant writing.
• Working knowledge of performing arts operations, such as budgeting, box office, or production.
• Emerging leadership abilities, with the capacity to collaborate effectively.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to accessibility in programming and outreach.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.

Responsibilities

• Programming & curation: curate engaging seasons and contracts in collaboration with the Dean.
• Community & Educational Engagement: expand outreach and educational programs with faculty.
• Fundraising & Sponsorship: assist in sponsorship opportunities and grant proposals.
• Operational Management: oversee budgeting, box office, production, and facilities operations.
• Leadership & Staff Development: recruit, train, and support Forbes Center staff.
• Marketing & Public Relations: collaborate on advertising strategies and season launches.
• Engagement: champion programming initiatives and audience engagement.
• Collaborate with School of Music and School of Theatre and Dance and other stakeholders.

Skills

Arts administration

Program planning

Budgeting

Fundraising

Audience development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, performing arts, or related field

Job description

Working Title: Director, Forbes Center for the Performing Arts

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Visual and Performing Arts

Department: 100551 - College of Visual and Performing Arts

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date:11/1/2026

About JMU

Mission: We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision: To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are: Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information

The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) at James Madison University (JMU) enthusiastically invites applications for the position of Director of the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. This 12-month administrative appointment offers an exciting opportunity to lead one of the region’s premier performing arts venues and to contribute to the vibrant cultural life of the university and the Shenandoah Valley. At JMU, you’ll join a community committed to artistic integrity, scholarly inquiry, and creative engagement. The Forbes Center serves as a dynamic hub for world-class performances, student and faculty productions, and community outreach, ensuring that the arts remain vital, relevant, and accessible to all.

About the Forbes Center: Opened in 2010, the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts is a state-of-the-art facility that hosts hundreds of performances annually, including internationally acclaimed artists, faculty and student productions, and educational programs. In 2025, the Forbes Center celebrated its 15th Anniversary Masterpiece Season, marking a decade and a half of artistic excellence and cultural leadership in the Shenandoah Valley. The Center features five performance venues and serves as a bridge between the university and the community, fostering cultural enrichment and engagement through programming, masterclasses, and outreach initiatives such as Any Given Child and Forbes Family Fun.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Director provides leadership and day-to-day operational oversight for the Forbes Center, working closely with the CVPA Dean to shape compelling performance seasons, grow audiences, and support the Center’s operations and facilities. This is a strong opportunity for a creative, entrepreneurial arts administrator with fresh ideas and a clear point of view on performing arts programming to step into a visible leadership role. The successful candidate will curate engaging seasons, support budget and staff management, and collaborate with faculty, students, and community partners to advance the Center’s mission.

• Programming & Booking: Curate and contract a season of performances in collaboration with the Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Community & Educational Engagement: Expand outreach to underserved audiences; develop educational programs and masterclasses in partnership with faculty.
• Fundraising & Sponsorship: Support development efforts by helping identify sponsorship opportunities and contributing to grant proposals.
• Operational Management: Oversee day-to-day operations, including box office, production, budgeting, and reporting; support facilities operations.
• Leadership & Staff Development: Coordinate recruitment, training, and support of Forbes Center staff; foster a collaborative and welcoming work environment.
• Marketing & Public Relations: Collaborate with Director of Marketing and Branding on advertising strategies, website updates, and season launch events.
• Engagement: Champion initiatives in programming and audience engagement.
• Work collaboratively with School of Music and School of Theatre and Dance, as well as other stakeholders, to support performance seasons and facilities rentals.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, performing arts, or a related field.
• At least two years of experience in performing arts programming or arts administration, with some exposure to season planning, artist booking, or contracting.
• Familiarity with audience development strategies and a demonstrated ability to grow audiences for the performing arts.
• Familiarity with fundraising, sponsorship development, and grant writing.
• Working knowledge of performing arts operations, such as budgeting, box office, or production.
• Emerging leadership abilities, with the capacity to collaborate effectively and work well with staff, faculty, and community partners.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to accessibility in programming and outreach.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required by performance schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in arts administration, performing arts, or a related field.
• Leadership in fundraising, sponsorship development, and grant writing.
• Experience with artist booking, contract negotiation, or budget management.
• Experience with digital and social media marketing strategies to support audience development.
• Familiarity with facility management and long-term maintenance planning.
• Experience developing educational and community engagement programs.

Additional Posting Information

Applicants should submit a detailed résumé, a cover letter outlining their vision for the Forbes Center and a description of their perspective on performing arts programming.

Conditions of Employment

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: [phone].

Reasonable Accommodation

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.