Sr. Director, Programming & Market Development

Pollstar; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Pollstar is seeking a Sr. Director of Programming & Market Development based in Newark, NJ, to drive revenue growth and market expansion at NJPAC. This entrepreneurial role involves booking diverse events, cultivating partnerships, and managing budgets, ensuring successful execution of shows.

The ideal candidate should possess strong industry relationships, a collaborative mindset, and experience in multi-genre booking. This role is vital to NJPAC’s success and offers a unique opportunity to shape the organization’s future.

Qualifications

• Strong industry relationships to develop partnerships.
• Experience booking diverse events in various markets.
• Ability to manage budgets and financial aspects of shows.

Responsibilities

• Book a minimum of 80 diverse events annually.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with promoters and artists.
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure compliance.

Skills

Strong industry relationships

Multi-genre booking experience

Market knowledge

Collaborative mindset

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 reportsProducer, 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.