Commercial Booking Manager (Talent Buyer)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Commercial Booking Manager (Talent Buyer) works with the Senior Director, Commercial Booking in event and departmental administration, maintaining venue management calendar, budgeting, booking, and overseeing a dynamic variety of live events that include music, comedy, theater, family, dance, speakers, fine arts, and outside rentals in a multi-venue, not-for-profit environment. The Manager is responsible for achieving annual goals that provides relevant programs to a diverse community, creating an exceptional experience for guests, and maximizes attendance and revenue.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures the efficient in-take process of productions including, but not limited to, maintaining and supervising venue and space management calendar and usage, fulfilling calendar availability requests and responding to rental inquiries promptly.
• Researches and identifies opportunities for future presentations. Cultivates and fosters relationships with local, national and international promoters, artists and agents.
• Create commercial budgets/offers/rental estimates for review by Senior Leadership team.
• Administer commercial show rentals including inquiries; giving theater tours; preparing rental estimates; and liaising with rental clients.
• Assists the Contract and Finance Manager with administering performance contracts for presented and rental shows.
• Attends events and handles show duties, including settlements as required.
• Collaborate with internal and external colleagues to ensure smooth and successful planning and execution of all shows. Ensure clear, collaborative and effective interface with Production team.
• Function successfully in a very fast paced environment that requires tact, discipline, and a balanced perspective.
• Ensure best practices for systems and work-flow process.
• Follow and support all operational policies and procedures. Assimilate into the arts center culture through understanding, supporting and demonstrating the core values.
• Maintain a professional and friendly relationship with other departments, colleagues, and partners.
• Able to remain calm under pressure. Ability to work effectively with internal and external customers, some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact, and diplomacy. Maintain Dr. Phillips Center standards of customer service at all times.
• Able to effectively communicate in English in both written and oral forms.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s or higher degree preferred. Must have 5+ years of booking experience in a multi-use, multi-venue facility with a broad knowledge of performing arts/live entertainment disciplines and a genuine interest in expanding that knowledge.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills, as well as analytical and interpersonal skills. Must have proven experience in negotiating artist contracts.
• Strong fiscal management skills including budgeting and event settlements.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite required (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint). Must be able to navigate a venue management system; ArtsVision is a plus.
• Excellent leadership skills and ability to work both independently and in a team setting.
• Excellent relationship, consensus, and team building skills. Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances.
• Experience working in a non-profit, mission-based arts environment is preferred. Understand, support and possess the ability to articulate the Center’s mission and vision to others.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize duties and schedules with high attention to detail.
• Must exercise significant judgment and confidentiality.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• This position requires the ability to work a variable schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet operational needs

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts