Founded in 1926, The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, with a mission to Inspire, Educate and Entertain through its variety of live events, opportunities in arts education and community engagement. Every year, tens of thousands of students and more than a quarter million eventgoers experience Count Basie Center programming.

Over the last decade, the Basie Center organization has grown to include two performances spaces (the historic Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre and The Vogel), Basie Center Cinemas, community theatre company Phoenix Productions, and the Grunin Arts & Education Building, home to all Turner Academy of the Arts programming, including the Count Basie Center Conservatory of Music.

The Count Basie Center embraces and amplifies positive change through diversity and inclusion — from our offerings onstage, to our work in the community and our efforts to recruit the best possible workforce for our nonprofit organization.

Please note:

• All candidates must be authorized to work full-time in the United States.
• All candidates must apply online by clicking the job application link included with each description.
• No phone calls please.

Open Positions:

Interim Sponsorship Manager
Scenic Carpenters
Private Instructors / Teaching Artists

 

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Interim Sponsorship Manager (April–October)

Department: Development
Reports To: Senior Director of Development
Employment Type: Full-Time

Overview

The Interim Sponsorship Manager plays a key role in cultivating, securing, and stewarding corporate, business, and community partnerships that support the Basie Center’s programming, education initiatives, community engagement, and special events. This position requires a strong blend of fundraising, relationship management, managerial oversight, and event execution skills. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast‑paced performing arts environment and enjoys being on the front lines – meeting sponsors, elevating their experience, and bringing partnership activations to life. Evening and weekend availability is essential, as the role includes attending performances at the Basie Center and ParkStage to meet with sponsors and oversee signage, on‑site activations, and hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sponsorship Strategy & Program Execution

• Foster relationships with local organizations and community stakeholders.
• Supervise one part-time sponsorship salesperson and event support staff, particularly for ParkStage, ensuring smooth communication, fulfillment, and hospitality.

2. Partnership Cultivation & Fundraising

• Prospect and cultivate new sponsors through outreach and community engagement.
• Develop customized proposals highlighting community impact, audience reach, and brand visibility in collaboration with Marketing.
• Lead sponsorship negotiations, contract creation, and benefit structuring.

3. Stewardship & Benefit Fulfillment

• Serve as the primary sponsor contact, ensuring excellent communication and service.
• Manage fulfillment for all Basie Center and ParkStage sponsor programs, including logos, ads, digital content, tickets, schedules, signage, client tours, presentations, and reporting.
• Maintain regular contact with past and current sponsors; ensure timely acknowledgements and donor communications.

4. Event, Administration & Reporting

• Maintain accurate sponsorship records in Raiser’s Edge.
• Track revenue, pipeline activity, and partner engagement.
• Ensure sponsor integration and visibility across all venues and events.
• Support special events including the annual summer gala, community events and cultivation events.
• Prepare Sponsorship recaps and board updates.
• Monitor and report on results of solicitation, marketing, and sponsorship activities.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of experience in sponsorships, corporate partnerships, or fundraising, ideally in performing arts or cultural organizations.
• Strong proposal writing and communication skills, with ability to articulate mission and impact.
• Creative and detail-oriented with excellent follow-through.
• Demonstrated success in securing sponsorships, partnerships, or sales.

This position operates on a hybrid schedule that allows for remote work 2 days a week and is eligible for The Basie’s competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health insurance and a 401(k)-retirement plan including company match.

The monthly salary range is $5,500 – $6,000 commensurate with experience.

This interim position includes a completion bonus payable upon successful fulfillment of the full assignment term.

APPLICATION FORM

 

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Private Instructors / Teaching Artists

The Count Basie Center Academy and Monmouth Conservatory of Music are currently seeking qualified instructors and / or teaching artists for private lessons and group classes. Priority needs are in in the following disciplines:

• Violin / Viola
• Piano
• Vocals

Ideal candidates are responsible for teaching private lessons and group classes to students of all ages and abilities. The ability to teach beginning students is also necessary. Teaching artists and Private Instructors must show organizational skills and an ability to effectively communicate with students, parents and staff.

Qualifications: 

• Degree in your art form(s), education, or relevant experience
• At least 2 years of teaching artist experience within a diverse age group and educational and/or studio settings
• Exceptional knowledge of content in your arts genre
• Strong communication skills
• Classroom management skills
• The ideal candidate is someone who has a passion for arts education and can commit to a consistent schedule
• Bilingual a plus

This is a part-time, hourly position.  Pay is $40 – $60/hr

Candidates must furnish a complete resume, along with a cover letter summarizing their desire to work for the Basie and the Basie’s Monmouth Conservatory. These materials should describe previous teaching and performing experiences in all art forms, ages and levels, in private or public studios or schools. Candidates should also list experience with bilingual learners and / or students with disabilities.

We require that all employees submit to and clear a fingerprint and background check. All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

APPLICATION FORM

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Scenic Carpenters – Phoenix Productions

Phoenix Productions is the community theatre company of the Count Basie Center for the Arts. For more than three decades, Phoenix’s presentations at the Count Basie Center have offered actors and audiences alike the opportunity to showcase and experience the finest community theatre in the region.

Phoenix is currently looking for creative and resourceful people who can take a hands-on approach in a fast paced, community theatre scenic construction shop. We’re seeking dynamic, self-sufficient scenic carpenters; team members who are simultaneous problem solvers, and always ready to jump in to help build, install and strike themed scenery. This is an opportunity to use your carpentry skill set to entertain thousands of people!

Required Skills:

• Safe operation and knowledge of hand and power tools as well as typical woodshop equipment
• Work with wood, metals, plastics and other materials to build and/or repair scenic elements
• Ability to read shop and construction drawings
• Knowledge of various panel materials such as pvc, aluminum, acrylic, etc a plus
• Demonstrate high quality, precision work with clean finish results consistently
• Experience with CNC machine and theatrical rigging a huge plus

Qualifications:

• High school degree or equivalent
• Two (2) years Carpentry experience
• Two (2) years work experience, preferably in scenic, set, theatre or finish carpentry
• Positive, hardworking attitude
• Team oriented
• Ability to problem solve

Flexible work hours available (5-20 hours a week) – can work days, evenings and/or weekends.

APPLICATION FORM

 

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