Programming Manager/ Junior Talent Buyer

City Winery; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401K with match

FSA/HSA

Wine discounts 50%

Free family meal

Show tickets

Job summary

City Winery is seeking a Programming Manager / Jr. Talent Buyer to join our team in advancing local and regional live programming. You will handle contracts, show advancements, and calendar execution while building strong artist relationships across multiple venues.

This role offers growth into deal-making and artistic development within a dynamic hospitality and entertainment company. You will report to the Senior Programming Director and work closely with Marketing, Production, and Ticketing

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in talent buying, booking, artist management, or live entertainment.
• 2+ years in artist hospitality and live show production.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and close artist deals.
• Existing relationships with agents, managers, and industry professionals.
• Strong understanding of local and regional touring economics.
• Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Must be self-reliant and able to meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Actively source, pitch, and secure talent for local and regional programming across assigned City Winery markets.
• Build and negotiate artist offers (fees, deal structures, ticket scaling).
• Maintain and grow relationships with agents, managers, and artist teams.
• Identify artists with multi-market potential and support routing opportunities across the network.
• Book and manage supporting acts and openers as needed.
• Execute market-specific booking strategies and manage calendars.
• Monitor ticket sales and adjust strategies for profitability.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Production, and Ticketing teams for successful shows.

Skills

Negotiation

Relationship building

Organization

Communication

Tools

Google Suite

Adobe

Spreadsheets

Job description

A rare opportunity to join the City Winery team as we reimagine the future of live music and hospitality. City Winery is proud to deliver the highest end combined culinary and cultural experience to our customers who are passionate in sharing wine, music, and culinary arts. We are a unique facility, combining a fully functioning winery with intimate concerts, food & wine classes, private events in a variety of configurations, and fine dining. We have created a compelling mix for our sophisticated clientele of foodies, and active cultural patrons—bringing the wine country experience to the middle of a large city.

Position Summary

The Programming Manager / Jr.Talent Buyer works directly under the Senior Programming Director and is responsible for booking and developing local and regional programming across select City Winery markets. The Programming Manager / Jr. Talent Buyer will be responsible for all administrative duties related to offering and confirming shows, including but not limited to, contracts, advancing, and show execution. While the role is not exclusively limited to a single region, the primary focus is on local, regional, and routable talent that can perform successfully across multiple City Winery venues.

This is a booking-forward role designed for an up-and-coming talent buyer ready to take on greater responsibility in deal-making, artist relationships, and calendar execution.

Why us?

• Competitive pay
• City Winery is a rapidly expanding national entertainment and hospitality company,

offering tremendous opportunities for driven and ambitious individuals.

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• nDORFins program designed to promote a healthy and active lifestyle!
• 401K (and yes we match!)
• Flexible Savings Accounts,HSA and Dependent Care, Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Amazing discounts, 50% OFF all dining/retail wine
• Free Family Meal
• Tickets to available shows

And more!

Overview of Responsibilities

Booking & Talent Development

• Actively source, pitch, and secure talent for local and regional programming across assigned City Winery markets
• Build and negotiate artist offers (fees, deal structures, ticket scaling) for approval by the Senior Programming Director
• Maintain and grow relationships with agents, managers, and artist teams
• Identify artists with multi-market potential and support routing opportunities across the City Winery network
• Assist in developing repeatable formats, touring concepts, and residency-style programming
• Book and manage supporting acts and openers as needed

Market & Calendar Ownership

• Work closely with the Senior Programming Director to execute market-specific and regional booking strategies
• Manage assigned calendar holds, booking pipelines, and offer tracking across multiple markets
• Monitor ticket sales performance and adjust booking strategies to support sell-through and profitability
• Ensure appropriate on-sale timing and alignment with marketing and ticketing teams
• Maintain accurate booking grids, artist histories, and contact notes

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Manage all administrative duties in order to assist the Programming Directors and create the most successful outcome for each City Winery location
• Mark up, manage and execute all show contracts and deposits
• Manage and support advance for all shows in conjunction with Production Manager
• Communicate with production and concert coordinators to support excellent show execution
• Work in conjunction with Ticket Operations Manager to advance M&G with artists and relay information to guests
• Manage weekly announce schedule to support marketing and ticketing
• Maintain and communicate production sheets, DOS schedules, hospitality and settlements
• Collaborate with Marketing and Ticketing teams to align booking strategy with sales performance
• Represent City Winery professionally in all artist-facing communication
• Support and execute activations and public events alongside Operations.

Show representation and execution

• Execute Concert Coordinator DOS duties for (2) two shows per week, including but not limited to
• Hospitality
• Settlement
• Supporting show production

Minimum Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience in talent buying, booking, artist management, or live entertainment
• 2+ years in artist hospitality and live show production
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and close artist deals
• Existing relationships with agents, managers, and industry professionals
• Strong understanding of local and regional touring economics
• Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Must be self-reliant and able to meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with Google Suite, Adobe and spreadsheet applications
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and occasional travel as needed

About Us

Wine, food, and live entertainment collide at City Winery to create a dynamic and incredibly unique workplace. Since 2008, City Winery has been turning heads across the nation with amazing live performances, delectable cuisine, and award winning, locally produced wines. But there's more to us than that we're a haven for community and creativity, a place where the philosophy of hospitality is more than just a buzzword, but a way of life. City Winery, founded by music industry veteran & visionary Michael Dorf, has established itself as a one-of-a-kind brand providing unforgettable experiences for guests. From world class music venues to sustainably produced wines with ratings of 90+ points, City Winery offers a range of topnotch events & experiences.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at City Winery. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Additionally, City Winery participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law.