Program Manager

Founded in 1975, the Hayti Heritage Center honors the legacy of Durham’s historic Hayti community—a vibrant center of Black culture, entrepreneurship, and achievement. Today, Hayti is reimagining its role as an immovable cultural anchor, curating bold, community-rooted programming and investing in the next generation of Black creatives, scholars, and innovators.

About the Role
Hayti seeks a strategic and community-minded Program Manager to lead production operations, venue rental coordination, and artistic programming support. This role affirms Hayti’s cultural and arts heritage as a vital component of economic development and community well-being.

The Program Manager works closely with the Artistic Director to advance production needs for each season’s programming and manages on-site venue rentals, ensuring a seamless and professional experience for all clients, artists, and partners. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast‑paced cultural environments, enjoys solving logistical puzzles, and brings warmth, precision, and professionalism to every interaction.

Key Responsibilities
Production, Back of House & Event Logistics
Pre-Event

Collaborate with the Artistic Director to build production timelines for each season event including performances, dialogues, film screenings, art exhibitions, workshops, etc.

Confirm artist and performer technical riders; translate requirements into actionable equipment and staffing plans

Coordinate rehearsal schedules, load‑in logistics, and sound checks with artists, vendors, and the facilities team

Conduct a pre‑event walkthrough to verify space setup, equipment functionality, and venue readiness

Day‑Of

Serve as the primary point of contact for technical and operational event execution in support of the Artistic Director

Manage artist check‑in processes and support stage management needs during events

Oversee green room setup and artist hospitality, ensuring a welcoming and well‑prepared environment for performers and speakers

Manage backstage/back‑of‑house operations for performances and dialogues, ensuring operational excellence and artist care throughout the season

Monitor event flow and resolve technical or logistical issues in real time, escalating to the AD as needed

Ensure front‑of‑house and patron experience aligns with Hayti's standards for a welcoming, professional environment in collaboration with front‑of‑house staff

Lead dialogue/Q&A room setup and manage transitions between performances and post‑show discussions

Post‑Event

Oversee load out, equipment return, venue reset, and coordination with vendors following each production

Document any equipment issues, damages, or operational notes for future planning in collaboration with Operations Manager and Technical Staff

Maintain inventory of production and back‑of‑house supplies; oversee tech rentals when needed in collaboration with Technical Staff

Venue Rental Management

Manage the artist membership program

Welcome and orient rental clients (artists, organizations, and institutions) upon arrival and serve as their main point of contact throughout the event

Verify that all spaces, equipment, and furniture specified in the rental contract are properly set up and available prior to client arrival

Conduct a walk‑through with the client at the start of the rental to confirm setup and document the condition of the space

Coordinate with technical support staff as needed for A/V, lighting, or other equipment requests outlined in the contract

Monitor the event to ensure compliance with venue policies, occupancy limits, and accessibility requirements

Address and resolve any issues that arise during the rental, escalating to Artistic Director as appropriate

Conduct a post‑event walkthrough with the client to assess the condition of the space and equipment

Document any damages, excessive cleaning needs, or policy violations with photographs and written notes

Ensure all rented rooms are fully reset to standard configuration at the conclusion of each rental (furniture, equipment, and supplies)

Coordinate with the cleaning crew to ensure post‑rental cleanliness meets venue standards

Determine whether to retain or refund the security deposit based on the post‑event walkthrough assessment and documented condition report

Communicate deposit decisions to the client promptly and professionally, providing written documentation as needed

Complete and file post‑rental reports to track usage, client feedback, and any recurring operational needs

Safety, Compliance, and Cleanliness Oversight

Conduct pre‑event walkthroughs to ensure venue safety and cleanliness (in collaboration with subcontracted cleaning crew)

Monitor compliance with occupancy and accessibility requirements during events

Cross‑Department Collaboration

Work closely with Hayti staff to integrate rental and programming activities with broader institutional initiatives

Support organizational learning by sharing insights, lessons learned, and best practices from events and rentals

Qualifications

3+ years of experience in event production, stage management, venue operations, or patron services

Strong organizational and time‑management skills; comfortable juggling multiple events

Clear and friendly communicator, especially in high‑pressure moments

Technically literate: familiarity with basic A/V setups, stage plots, digital enablement platforms, and ticketing systems such as Eventbrite and NeonCRM preferred

Artistic programming and/or curatorial experience strongly preferred

Commitment to Black arts and cultural spaces; experience working in community‑centered environments is a plus

Ability to work evenings and weekends, aligned with event scheduling

Compensation & Benefits
Salary:

$50,000 annually

Full benefits package, including health insurance, PTO, and professional development

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