Program Specialist- Theaters

Overview

Cary is seeking a Program Specialist to oversee and implement a wide array of live performance programming for its indoor theaters. The position performs professional work in planning, presenting, managing, and promoting live performances and select special events for The Cary Theater and Cary Arts Center, including but not limited to the Marvelous Music series, Legacy of Jazz series, Thursday Night Music series, BEYOND:
The Cary Film Festival, and Zombiepalooza.

At Cary, our employees work together to change lives through exceptional service. Our approach empowers each employee to have a voice in a collaborative, adaptive work environment between departments, thinking creatively and strategically together as a team. In this role, you will be interacting and working with employees across various departments, plus numerous citizens, businesses, and community partners, event planners, volunteers, and officials.

You will work in the Cultural Resources division within the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Operations and Program Supervisor for The Cary Theater. Supervision is exercised over seasonal, temporary, or other assigned employees. Work requires the ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and some holidays with periods of high volume/workload.

• Researches and scouts musicians, bands, and other live acts for existing programs (Marvelous Music, Thursday Night Music Club) and for new programs.
• Pitches show opportunities to artists, their managers, and booking agents and negotiates all terms of the performance, including artist fees, hospitality, technical requirements (the "rider"), ticket prices, and revenue splits.
• Acts as the main point of contact for booked acts and handles all communication and resolves any issues that may arise.
• Collaborates with the Town, PRCR and The Cary Theater’s marketing teams to promote shows, including providing artist assets, coordinating social media campaigns, and ensuring distribution of event information through relevant media and promotional channels.
• Manages and tracks a live performance budget, creates financial offers, and settles accounts with artists and agents after a show.
• Drafts and manages contracts, ensuring all legal obligations are met.
• Maintains an organized system for managing the booking calendar, artist information, and contracts.
• Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises temporary part-time or seasonal staff.
• Collaborates with the venue's internal teams, including production and front-of-house to ensure all aspects of the show run smoothly.
• Stays informed on local, regional, and national music trends, audience demographics, and the programming of competing venues to make strategic booking decisions.
• Provides support with the planning, coordination, and execution of select programs and events at The Cary Theater, Cary Arts Center and other Cary venues.
• Assists with specialized events such as Cary festivals, pop-up events, and workshops that occur on and off site.
• Acts as a resource for other Cary staff for booking artists and live performances for festivals, events, or venues.
• Enters and tracks maintenance work orders for the facilities as needed.
• Assists O&P Supervisor with on‑going, routine operations management of Cary’s theaters.
• Represents Cary through membership in professional arts groups and organizations.
• Attends conferences such as the North Carolina Presenters Consortium, Arts Market, and Etix Blast.
• Performs in the absence of O&P Supervisor as required.
• Performs other job‑related tasks as required.

• Considerable and current knowledge of the music industry, different genres, relevant artists, and the North Carolina music scene.
• Comprehensive knowledge of contacts within the music industry, including relationships with booking agents, managers, and artists.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to negotiate favorable terms and contracts.
• Considerable financial and business management skills, with the ability to create and adhere to budgets and analyze market data.
• Strong attention to…