Arts Center Manager

Montgomery College

$74K — $118K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Humanities, Theatre, or related field.
  • 5 years of experience in cultural and performing arts management.
  • Working knowledge of strategic planning and budget management.
  • Familiarity with public cultural programs and outreach programming.
  • Experience with technical production equipment and safety standards.
  • Proficient with MS Office and venue management systems.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Plan and implement diverse arts programs and events.
  • Develop programs supporting the academic curriculum across disciplines.
  • Collaborate with faculty to integrate arts events into the curriculum.
  • Oversee scheduling, marketing, and ticketing operations for events.
  • Manage maintenance, safety, and security of the arts center.
  • Handle financial management and compliance with contracts and regulations.
  • Lead strategic planning to ensure growth and sustainability of the center.

Benefits

  • Generous paid vacation and sick leave.
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Professional development opportunities.
  • Retirement plan options available.
  • Educational assistance and tuition waiver for employees and dependents.
  • Access to wellness programming, onsite gyms, pools, and classes.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, has an immediate need for a full-time Arts Center Manager in the Programming and Venues Department. The regular work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, with nights and weekends as needed for events. This is a non-bargaining, exempt, grade 29 position.

The Arts Center Manager is responsible for the functions, development and leadership of an Arts Center (AC), in its service to the College and Community. The incumbent will implement the center's mission, and manage the day-to-day activities and operations, budget, financial planning, staff supervision, and assist with internal and external programming, advocacy, outreach, and development.

Contacts are with faculty, staff, students and administrators at the College, and individuals and groups outside of the College representing various cultural and community organizations, clients and representatives from the government, arts, business and community.

Duties include but are not limited to:
  • Planning, curating, and implementing diverse programs, performances, and events that align with the department's mission and serve the college community. This includes collaborating with artists, performers, and organizations to develop culturally inclusive programming that reflects the college's values, strategic goals, and the diverse identities of its community.
  • Development and oversight of programs that support the academic curriculum across various disciplines at Montgomery College.
  • Collaborates with faculty to integrate arts events into the curriculum and ensure alignment with the college's educational mission.
  • Provides oversight of:
    • scheduling, coordination of booking requests, and maintenance of scheduling records.
    • marketing and publicity, including social media, traditional media and community outreach;
    • ticketing operations, including pricing
      all logistical aspects of events including technical, ticketing and audience services.
  • maintenance, safety & security of the building and equipment. Manages administrative, technical and front-of-house staff, including scheduling, hiring, training, coaching, conducting performance evaluations, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
  • Financial and contract management including the development and management of the center's annual budget, including tracking revenues and expenses; drafting, reviewing, managing and negotiating contracts/terms. Ensuring compliance with legal, safety, financial and College requirements.
  • Strategic planning and development including setting long-term goals and a vision for the center while adapting to industry trends and community needs to ensure growth and sustainability. This process includes overseeing grant writing and ensuring compliance with funder requirements for awarded grants.
  • Ensures adherence to local, state, and federal laws, codes and regulations, particularly regarding safety, labor, and accessibility. This includes developing risk management strategies for events and operations, as well as implementing emergency preparedness plans with evacuation procedures and safety drills.
  • In an arts advisory role, responsibilities include serving on college committees that address arts programming, campus life, safety, diversity, and cultural engagement. This involves advising on arts-related issues such as infrastructure needs, funding opportunities, strategic planning, and advocating for the arts in discussions about the campus's cultural and intellectual growth.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.


Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Humanities, Theatre, or related field.
  • Cultural and performing arts management experience in programs and institutions serving the general public or related field with five years of working experience.
  • The equivalent combination of education, training, certification and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and expertise to perform the essential functions of the job may be considered.
  • Working knowledge of strategic planning, process of budget management, grant applications, management, marketing, public relations, and overseeing graphic designs.
  • Working knowledge of comprehensive public cultural program schedules, artistic programs in the performing/visual arts, adult/children's outreach programming, and speakers.
  • Working knowledge of professional technical production equipment, practices, including lighting, sound, safety, risk management strategies for backstage practices, and large public venues.
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite applications, knowledge of ticketing and venue/patron reporting systems and credit card machines.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments.
  • Sensitivity to the need of culturally and ethnically diverse user groups, and the ability to handle difficult situations.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple tasks according to strict deadlines.
  • Eligible applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States and not require employer visa sponsorship


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in a higher education environment.


Hiring Range: $74,267 - $96,558 annually. Initial salary placement for new hires falls between the minimum and midpoint of the range and is based on relevant candidate experience and internal equity. The maximum salary for this position is $118,850.

This position is eligible for telework one (1) day a week. Telework eligibility and total days per week are subject to change based on the operational needs of the applicable unit/area. Montgomery College does not currently offer voluntary remote work, or withhold payroll taxes for states outside of its tax reciprocity agreements. As a result, employees must reside in, and perform any approved telework from Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, or Pennsylvania. Employees residing in other states at the time of hire are not eligible for telework until they have secured a permanent residence in one of the states listed above.

Application Process:

  • Click Here to apply online
  • Online applications must be received by July 21, 2026.
  • A cover letter is recommended and preferred.


For degrees earned outside of the U.S., a copy of your education equivalency, conducted by a nationally recognized evaluation service, must be included in your application.

As a condition of employment, the following are required at the time of hire:
  • Successful completion of a background check and degree verification (if applicable).
  • Participation in a Maryland State Retirement System plan (Pension or Optional Retirement Plan, depending on the position). If you are already retired from the Maryland State Retirement System, you may not enroll in a Maryland State Retirement System plan at Montgomery College and may have earnings restrictions, per state law.


Our benefits package includes: generous paid vacation, sick, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, group legal benefits, professional development, retirement plan, educational assistance, tuition waiver for employee and dependents, wellness programming including onsite gyms, pools and classes.

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management at [redacted] or [redacted]. We require at least two weeks advance notice to enable us to provide the requested accommodation.

Closing Date
Tuesday, July 21, 2026

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