Position title: Programs Manager

Revised Reporting & Responsibilities as of January 1, 2025

Location: Hybrid/in-office and remote schedule, minimum of two business days in person.

Status: Full-time/Overtime Exempt

Salary: $85,000 per year + Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off & 401K

Reports to: Executive Director

Cave Canem is a nonprofit organization, committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of Black poets. Founded by artists for artists, Cave Canem fosters community across the diaspora to enrich the field by facilitating a nurturing space in which to learn, experiment,

create, and present. Cave Canem develops audiences for Black voices that have worked and are working in the craft of poetry.

Over the years, Cave Canem has grown from a gathering of 26 to become an influential movement with a renowned faculty, a high-achieving global fellowship of 500 poets, and a workshop community of over 1,000. Core programs include community-based workshops; cross-cultural talks and readings by acclaimed poets and scholars; book prizes publishing new voices; and our flagship annual writing retreat for today’s most promising poets of African descent.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Programs Manager plays a critical role in serving CC’s mission in a way that is sustainable within the operational resources of the organization. The Programs Manager is responsible for managing the logistical fulfillment of the organization's artistic programs, including producing the Cave Canem Retreat, public programs, regional workshops and other offerings. The Programs Manager will manage the department coordinator, Retreat staff selected by the Artistic Director, and independent contractors engaged by the department as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

3-5 years of manager-level professional experience, ideally in a non-profit organization literary or arts organization with program development and execution responsibilities
Experience creating and managing project budgets, production schedules, and timelines
Superior skills using Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) & Google Suite and project management software such as Asana
Strong interpersonal communication, in addition to exceptional written and oral communication skills with keen attention to detail
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Knowledge of standard theatrical and event practices, equipment, and software in the areas of sound, projection, video, and virtual media
Experience operating digital presentation platforms including Zoom and StreamYard
Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize complex workload
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with a large number of staff, clients, community members, guest artists, and other professionals representing a wide diversity of personalities and culture
Brings experience operationalizing equity within event production and setting an equity and justice rooted strategy for staffing and team management
Ability to work collaboratively in a team, promoting mutual accountability and inspiring trust from internal and external stakeholders
Passion for arts, culture, and serving communities of color
Knowledge of NYC cultural presenters and nonprofit arts sector a plus

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fulfill the curatorial plan for programming, as outlined by the Artistic Director (AD), communicating with the AD as needed to understand performance indicators and curatorial directives.
Manage and execute CC public facing events throughout the year using in-person, hybrid, or virtual formats including the annual retreat, workshops, readings, panels, and other presentations as directed.
Review contracts related to programmatic content and fulfillment, subject to approval and signature by the AD.
Serve as logistical lead on communication with internal and external stakeholders for the production of CC events from inception to completion.
Train and manage the Program Coordinator as well as manage contract and freelance staff during load-ins, technical rehearsals, events, and strikes.
Develop and implement production policies that ensure safe working conditions and high organizational and artistic standards.
Manage the continued development and continuation of departmental process documentation including event itineraries, meeting agendas, program information, department manuals, etc.
Act as the technical point of contact for CC produced events and presence at venues.
Manage the inter-departmental conveyance of accurate information as needed to publicize and fundraise for programmatic efforts.
Work with the Executive Director to create event-specific and annual budgets.
Manage and adhere to the approved department budget, including setting annual program expenditure.
Initiate internal evaluations, post-event reviews and post-production workflows to ensure the success of future events.
Create a positive and healthy department culture, overseeing direct reports and providing mentorship and professional development opportunities.
This position requires some travel throughout the year.

Application Instructions / Public Contact Information

To apply, please send a cover letter highlighting relevant experience, resume, the names and contact information of two references as a single PDF document by email to: jobs@ccpoets.org, subject line: “Programs Manager (your name).”

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Though we will not be able to contact all applicants, we hope to invite a first round of interviews in November 2024.

Cave Canem Foundation, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will

receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cave Canem Foundation, Inc. is committed to building a culturally diverse community, and strongly encourages applications from female-identified candidates and candidates of color.

Cave Canem Poets jobs

Programs Manager