Programs Manager — Public Programming

Programs Manager — Public Programming (Full-Time)

Location: Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, Calgary, Alberta

Reporting to: Director of Programs

More than a museum, the National Music Centre (NMC) preserves and celebrates Canada’s music story. It is inspiring a new generation of music lovers at its home, Studio Bell. Located in the heart of Calgary’s East Village, on-site activities include five floors of interactive exhibitions, instruments, artifacts and Canadian music memorabilia from NMC’s vast collection as well as four separate Canadian Music Halls of Fame.

NMC also hosts public programs, live performances across multiple music venues, education programs and creative artist residencies with NMC’s world-class recording facilities.

National Music Centre (NMC) believes in the power and importance of fair hiring practices in the workplace. We ensure equal opportunity for all qualified applicants and encourage people of all visible minorities, and those of any religion, sex, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression to apply.

The National Music Centre (NMC) is seeking a dynamic and experienced programs manager to lead the strategic conception, delivery, and evaluation of public programming. This role plays a vital part in advancing NMC’s national mandate by presenting innovative, inclusive programming that reflects the diversity of music in Canada, aligns with organizational programming strategy, and strengthens relationships with artists, community partners and audiences.

Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Programs Manager – Public Programming oversees the full lifecycle of innovative on-site and occasional offsite activations that connect audiences through music, story, and experience, and encompass a wide range of activities for diverse audiences designed to promote the love, sharing, and understanding of music, while connecting to the NMC collection.

This role works closely with the Director on strategic concept development and budgeting, and is responsible for ensuring successful program execution through to evaluation. The ideal candidate is highly organized, communicative, collaborative and thrives in a fast-paced, public-facing environment. They bring strong operational and planning skills and are passionate about delivering meaningful live experiences. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is required to support on-site programming.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the budgeting, advancing, delivery and evaluation of Public Programming across multiple musical genres and cultural communities, ensuring alignment with organizational programming priorities.
• Develop, steward and evolve innovative Public Programming activations that engage and connect with Studio Bell visitors and new audiences.
• Develop strategic alignment with NMC exhibitions and collections, as well as other programming pillars including live music, artist development and education.
• Work closely with the Finance team to manage program budgets, including forecasting, contracts and payments for artists and partners, cost tracking and post-event financial reporting.
• Serve as lead on-site programming representative during program delivery, performing stage management, artist liaison, and troubleshooting duties as needed.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local artists, funders, community partners, national partners and cultural organizations.
• Collaborate with production, events, marketing, visitor experience, collections and fund development teams to ensure successful planning, promotion, execution and evaluation of programs.
• Monitor program impact through evaluation metrics, stakeholder feedback and reporting to sponsors, donors and funders.
• Administer and steward programming Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and related data tracking.

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in education, museums programming, music programming, or appropriate discipline.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience…