Programming and Engagement Manager FY26 Job Description
Job Title: Manager of Programming and Engagement
Department: Programming and Engagement
Reports to: Director of Programming and Engagement
Full-time / Hybrid Tier: Maximum of two
days a week off-site/remote work
Hours: M-F, 9-5 pm CT general schedule; nights and
weekends required for programs, events, and performances
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Manager of Programming and Engagement is a full-time position responsible for executing and
managing daily operations for Harris Theater Presents programming, special events, and community
engagement. This role combines tactical planning, logistics management, and community partnership
support for the Theater’s presenting series, visiting artists, and special initiatives. With the collaborative
leadership of the Director of Programming and Engagement, the manager will serve as an administrative
and onsite lead for all artist advance and engagement events, ensuring seamless internal coordination
and exemplary internal and external organizational hospitality.
This role serves as the central conduit between programming strategy and on-the-ground execution,
requiring meticulous attention to detail, exceptional time management, and the ability to juggle
concurrent priorities across departments and partners.
Information about the Harris Theater’s mission, history, and vision, as well as programming, can be
found here: https://www.harristheaterchicago.org/mission-vision
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
PROGRAMMING OPERATIONS (40%)
- Schedule and take notes for programming and engagement planning meetings with artist agents,
managers, production staff, and partners
- Track and document production and engagement details using Momentus Elite, Excel trackers, and
internal templates. Bring and be open to new ideas for tracking and collaborative communication
tools for the department and organization
- Manage artist logistics, including contact information, lodging, ground transportation, ticketing, and
hospitality in coordination with the Director of Programming and Engagement
- Serve as onsite support for all Harris Theater Presents performances and rehearsals, managing
artist services and communication in real time
- Log and update all programming and engagement data and notes for future planning and reporting,
and work with other departments to ensure their reporting needs from the department are met
ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP COORDINATION (40%)
- Maintain relationships and outreach with community partners and resident companies through
regular communication
- Manage the execution of engagement events, including master classes, conversations, community
events, open rehearsals, and meet-and-greets
- Provide support in researching new partners and ideas for community collaboration
- When engagement events are onsite, lead operations for those events, acting as liaison between
community partners, production, operations, and the development teams
- When engagement events are offsite, act as primary liaison between the venue and Harris Theater
teams, ensuring successful operations for those events
- Acquire support and volunteers from other departments, the Harris Theater Board, the Harris
Theater Associate Board, and other partners for engagement activities as needed
- Update calendars, engagement contact lists, and engagement attendance records; ensure data is
current and accessible across departments
- Coordinate annual engagement initiatives like the Community Open House, HT Staff and Board Day
of Service, and, in collaboration with marketing and the Box Office, the seasonal access ticket
distribution
- Support tracking and reporting for development grants and for annual reporting
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT (20%)
- Attend and actively contribute to weekly department meetings, internal planning sessions, and staff
briefings
- Serve as programming and engagement liaison to Marketing, Development, Operations, and Box
Office for logistics such as event setup, flow and timelines, and execution
- Maintain artist and partner contact records in Tessitura/CRM systems
- Collaborate with Box Office and marketing to establish efficiencies for access ticket requests,
fulfillment, and distribution, as well as information listed on our website as it pertains to community
engagement and partnership opportunities
- Assist with accessibility planning and partner communications related to programming
EXPECTATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
As a member of the Harris Theater team, the Manager of Programming and Engagement is
expected to:
- Uphold the Harris Theater’s mission to be a home for music and dance and embody organizational
core values of integrity, collaboration, belonging, respect, and resilience
- Be on-site for and attend engagement activities, performances, and events as required for this role.
While some evenings and weekends are required, we support flex time to ensure work-life balance.
- Participate in full organizational and team meetings, share ideas, and communicate openly with
peers and your supervisor about questions, challenges, and successes
- Maintain professional conduct and represent the Theater positively in interactions with artists,
community partners, resident companies, donors, vendors, volunteers, patrons, and all other
Harris Theater constituents
Experience and skills desired for this position are as follows:
- Minimum 3 years of experience in arts administration, programming logistics, event/project
management, or community engagement
- Excellent time and task management skills; thrives in deadline-driven environments
- Experience supporting visiting artists or touring groups preferred
- Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to clearly summarize logistics and expectations
- Detail-oriented and capable of owning complex administrative systems and workflows
- Experience with Microsoft Office suite, Tessitura or other CRM software, and Momentus Elite is
preferred but not required. Willingness to learn is required!
SALARY RANGE AND INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY
Compensation based on experience with base range starting salary of $48,000 year plus a highly
competitive benefits package. Please submit a cover letter and resume to
jobs at harristheaterchicago.org. No phone calls please.
The Harris Theater is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment
without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin,
veteran, or disability status or any protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, and local
laws.