Program Manager — Public Programming (Full-Time)
Location: Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, Calgary, Alberta
Reporting to: Director of Programs
ABOUT STUDIO BELL, HOME OF THE NATIONAL MUSIC CENTRE
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.
COMMITMENT TO FAIR HIRING PRACTICES
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.
ABOUT THIS POSITION
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.
RESPONSIBILITIES
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.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
Experience:
- An undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in education, museums programming, music programming, or appropriate discipline.
- Minimum 3-5 years of experience in arts administration, project management and public-facing programming within non-profit or for-profit environments.
- Experience and familiarity with trends at performing arts centres, festivals, museums, galleries, science centres, conferences, or similar cultural institutions is highly preferred.
- Experience within the Canadian music industry is considered a strong asset. A broad network in a wide variety of music disciplines (i.e. pop, rock, classical, country, blues, jazz, electronic, world, folk, and others) is an asset.
Program Management:
- Minimum three years of demonstrable experience overseeing program development and production.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong financial literacy and experience managing program budgets.
- Skilled in translating strategy into operational plans and measurable outcomes.
Communication:
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
- Confident decision maker with strong initiative and time management discipline.
- A friendly, positive attitude and solution-based approach to problem solving.
Technology:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including SharePoint and Teams.
- Familiarity with applications such as Formstack, Smartsheet, Canva, website content management systems, accounting software, venue management software and ticketing systems is considered an asset.
Cultural Alignment:
- Demonstrated alignment with NMC’s core values of community, diversity, innovation, passion, teamwork and fun.
- Demonstrated commitment to community engagement, diversity, innovation and collaborative teamwork.
- Broad understanding of Canada’s musical landscape and cultural ecology.
Language:
- Multilingual capabilities, particularly French, are considered an asset.
Location and Work Arrangement:
- Full-time position located in Calgary, primarily on-site at Studio Bell, Calgary, with limited remote work as approved by the Director of Programs.
- Flexibility to work weekends and potentially evenings is required to support on-site program delivery and oversight.
- Clean credit, criminal record and vulnerable sector checks form a condition of employment for the successful candidate.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Director of Programs
- Programs Managers (Education, and Live/Artist Development)
- Programs Coordinator
- Departmental managers and team (Marketing, Production, Events, Visitor Experience, Administration, Exhibitions & Collections, Finance, Recording Studios)
- King Eddy management and team
- Participating artists
- External sponsors, donors and programming partners
APPLY
Qualified applicants are invited to submit a resume and cover letter in one PDF document by email only to: [email protected] by end of day on September 7, 2026.
Interviews for shortlisted candidates are planned for September 14 and 15, 2026. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls please.
Pay: $55,000.00-$60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
Work Location: In person
