Specific Responsibilities:

Artistic Vision & Programming

• Develop and advance a compelling artistic vision for the Vilar in partnership with the Executive Director, shaping and strengthening a distinctive and recognizable institutional identity.
• Curate the overall architecture and pacing of balanced, financially responsible programming seasons, considering artistic disciplines, audience segments, financial risk, calendar dynamics and major programming opportunities.
• Identify artists, genres and programming concepts that deepen engagement with existing audiences while intentionally cultivating new and more diverse audiences for the Vilar.
• Develop programming strategies that serve the Vilar’s diverse constituencies, including local residents, destination guests, donors, families, students and arts enthusiasts.
• Regularly evaluate programming performance, including attendance, financial results, audience response and strategic objectives, and apply those insights to future programming decisions.
• Conceive and develop special series, festivals, residencies, collaborations and new programming formats that expand the Vilar’s artistic reach and create distinctive audience experiences.
• Maintain awareness of national touring activity, artist availability, routing opportunities, competitive markets, industry trends and evolving audience interests.
• Consider accessibility and community relevance in programming decisions, supporting the Vilar’s efforts to expand access to high-quality performing arts experiences throughout the Vail Valley.
• Provide artistic leadership for the Vilar’s education and community engagement programming, collaborating with the Senior Artistic Operations Manager and Arts Education & Community Engagement Manager to develop and secure approximately 20 student matinee programs annually, along with workshops, masterclasses, in-school performances and other community-based artistic experiences.
• Identify opportunities to extend visiting artists’ engagements through educational and community programming that deepens impact beyond the mainstage performance.

Talent Buying & Industry Relationships

• Lead the sourcing and booking of artists and attractions for approximately 90 publicly presented performances annually, including pursuing and securing iconic and high-profile artists more commonly presented in significantly larger venues, alongside exceptional artists across a broad range of disciplines.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with agents, managers, promoters, producers, artists and other industry partners.
• Initiate and manage booking conversations, holds, offers, negotiations and deal development through contract execution.
• Exercise sound judgment regarding when to pursue, hold, negotiate, decline or accelerate programming opportunities, balancing artistic value, market demand, competitive dynamics, financial exposure and broader strategy.
• Develop creative booking strategies, deal structures, routing partnerships and co-presenting opportunities that enable the Vilar to secure high-caliber artists within the financial and capacity constraints of an intimate venue.
• Attend relevant conferences, showcases, performances and industry gatherings to evaluate programming opportunities and cultivate relationships.
• Maintain an active multi-year programming pipeline and identify future booking opportunities.
• Serve as a primary artistic relationship-holder with artists and representatives while ensuring effective handoff to internal staff following contract execution.

Season Planning & Financial Strategy

• Work with the Executive Director to establish annual programming priorities, financial parameters and risk tolerance and develop recommendations informed by artist fees, ticketing potential, audience demand, contributed revenue opportunities and overall season economics.
• Collaborate with the Finance team on programming budgets, forecasts, reconciliation and other financial matters related to presented programming.
• Generate settlements for all presented performances by gathering and reporting on event revenues and expenses.
• Partner with the Vilar’s production team to assess technical feasibility, production implications and labor estimates, ensuring that performances can be accommodated within the technical and physical limitations of the theater.
• Partner with the Vilar’s Marketing and Box Office teams to incorporate audience data, sales trends and market intelligence into programming decisions and provide artistic context that supports effective marketing and audience-development strategies.
• Identify opportunities for underwriting, sponsorship, co-presentations and strategic partnerships in collaboration with the Vilar Executive Director and Development and Sales teams.
• Collaborate with the Vilar Executive Director, Finance and Development teams to effectively utilize and report on special programmatic funding sources, including BCRC Real Estate Transfer Assessment “Superfunding,” the Frechette Family Fund Endowment for STARS and restricted donor underwriting support for artistic projects.

Organizational Leadership & Collaboration

• Contribute as a senior leader within the Vilar, participating in setting the vision and strategy of the organization.
• Directly supervise the Senior Artistic Operations Manager and provide artistic guidance and mentorship across the broader artistic operations, artist services and arts education team.
• Work closely with the Senior Artistic Operations Manager to ensure a seamless transition from booking and contracting into advancing, artist services and event execution.
• Communicate programming information clearly and proactively across Production, Marketing, Box Office, Development, Finance and other teams.
• Contribute artistic perspective to organizational strategy, long-range planning and capital projects related to artistic production and audience experience.
• Support the Vilar Executive Director in communicating the Vilar’s artistic vision to the Vilar Committee, donors, community partners and other stakeholders.
• Serve as the visible artistic representative of the Vilar, building relationships with artists, industry partners, donors, audiences and community stakeholders.
• Engage with major donors and supporters around programming, artistic initiatives and the broader vision of the organization.
• Foster a collaborative culture of artistic ambition, thoughtful risk-taking, accountability and cross-functional partnership while strengthening systems that support programming effectiveness and institutional knowledge.