Senior Director, Programming

NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Center); Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Center) seeks a Sr. Director of Programming & Market Development to drive revenue growth and market expansion. This entrepreneurial role involves booking 80 diverse events, managing budgets, and cultivating strategic partnerships with agents and venues.

The ideal candidate has strong industry relationships and multi-genre booking experience, thriving in a collaborative environment with a passion for live events. Responsibilities include managing show details, supporting marketing strategies, and participating in artist contract approvals.

Qualifications

• Strong industry relationships and experience in multi-genre booking.
• Ability to balance artistic vision with commercial discipline.
• Thrives in a collaborative environment with passion for live events.

Responsibilities

• Book a minimum of 80 diverse events per fiscal year.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with artists and venues.
• Manage show-level and departmental budgets in collaboration with the VP.
• Ensure timely delivery of confirmed show information.

Skills

Industry relationships

Multi-genre booking experience

Collaborative team mindset

Research and critical thinking

Job description

This is a newly created, entrepreneurial role at NJPAC — purpose-built to drive revenue growth and long-term market expansion. Working closely with the VP, the Sr. Director of Programming & Market Development will strengthen NJPAC's programming lineup while developing new opportunities at regional and national venues. This role is central to scaling the organization's booking portfolio, launching tour and offsite ventures, and building the commercial partnerships that will define NJPAC's next chapter.

The ideal candidate brings strong industry relationships, multi-genre booking experience, and a forward-thinking mindset. They can balance artistic vision with commercial discipline, identify opportunities through research and critical thinking, and thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment with a genuine passion for live events.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Book a minimum of 80 diverse events per fiscal year on NJPAC’s and in other markets with a focus on mission, profit maximization, risk management, and sustainability; determine the appropriate presentation model for each project (NJPAC presentation, rental, or co-promotion).
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging artists/topics, and market developments to identify new booking opportunities alongside established talent.
• Cultivate and expand strategic partnerships with promoters, artists, agents, managers, and venues to grow booking opportunities regionally and nationally. Participate in artist contract approvals, production advances, budget consulting, and artist settlements.
• Participate in artist contracts approvals, production advances, budget management, and show settlements for bookings.
• Build and manage show-level and annual departmental budgets in PRISM, in collaboration with the VP and Director of Programming Operations; monitor expenditures across all bookings to ensure budget adherence and maximize savings.
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of confirmed show information (deal points, riders, contacts, marketing assets, etc.) to the Director of Programming Operations so all departments can support on-sales and execution effectively.
• Manage direct reports: Producer, Festivals & Performances, Market Development Coordinator, and Producer.
• Participate in weekly cross-departmental meetings on calendar planning, marketing strategies, and production coordination. Work with the marketing team to focus strategic approaches to ticket sales.
• Manage budgets related to both production costs and projected revenues.
• Along with VP represent NJPAC at industry conferences.
• Provide show coverage locally, regionally, or nationally as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.