Founded in 1926, The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, and its commitment to being a diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) performing arts organization is at the core of our mission to Inspire, Educate and Entertain.

As part of that commitment, the Count Basie Center has established a staff DEI task force as well as a board DEI committee. Our purpose is to intentionally embrace and amplify positive change toward diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in every area of our organization, including programming, education, staffing, board recruitment, and community engagement.

The Count Basie Center is determined to provide an inclusive environment in which all who walk through our doors can do so as their most authentic selves. We firmly believe that everyone of all backgrounds and identities deserves access to experience the enrichment that the arts contribute to a full life.

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.

 

Open Positions:
Grants Manager
House Manager
Part Time Showtime Playbill Advertising Sales Representative
Private Instructors / Teaching Artists
Scenic Carpenters

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Grants Manager at the Count Basie Center for the Arts

Job Description
Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Grants Manager is an effective storyteller who can bring our arts, education, operations and DEI work to life through strong writing that inspires potential partners’ investment of financial resources. They will be a creative writer who is passionate about the arts, who leverages their project management skills and maintains, deepens, and renews existing Count Basie Center relationships. They will conduct independent outreach via targeted prospecting to build a robust pipeline of grant support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Target opportunities that meet Development department goals and fundraising strategies, i.e. arts education programs and Basie Center partnerships.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of all Count Basie Center departments, projects, programs and priorities by attending classes, performances, special events and meetings with partners.
• Work with Basie Center leadership to create outlines for proposals and facilitate the development of project budgets.
• Draft and review grant proposals/applications and grant required reports (pre and post funding) for funders, tailored to fit specific program areas and interests of the funders, in a timely manner.
• Coordinate and monitor the full grant cycle, with department leadership, to ensure program compliance with grantor guidelines.
• Develop and maintain an ongoing pipeline of potential grant and foundation funders to identify funding opportunities and cultivate donor relationships by having significant interaction with grantors before, during and after the grant process.
• Monitor state and federal legislation that may affect availability of grant funds.
• Attend trainings and conferences about new or existing funding opportunities and professional development.
• The Department’s Development Assistant will support the Grants Manager with grant-related administrative tasks, i.e. maintaining a grants calendar, grant tracking and reporting, updating the donor database, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• As part of the Development team, be available to attend events in the evenings and weekends as needed.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in grant writing, technical writing, proof-reading, editing, copy writing, or equivalent written communication format.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent non-traditional educational experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of grant funding policies and procedures and applicable local, state and federal funding opportunities and requirements.
• Highly organized with the ability to implement systems and follow-up processes.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work collaboratively and independently with purpose and accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Eagerness to learn new things and able to adapt to constantly changing circumstances.
• Strong research skills – ability to identify and research grant & foundation prospects.
• Experience with a donor database preferred, such as Raiser’s Edge and Instrumentl.

This is a full-time, exempt position and eligible for The Basie’s competitive benefits package that includes paid time off (personal, sick and vacation), insurance (health, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability) and a 401(k)-retirement plan including company match. This position operates on a hybrid schedule that allows for remote work 2 days a week. The annual salary range is $50,000-$62,000 commensurate with experience.

APPLICATION FORM

 

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House Manager at the Count Basie Center for the Arts

Position Description
The Count Basie Center for the Arts, in the ever-growing and beautiful downtown Red Bank, New Jersey, is seeking an outgoing, service-oriented, experienced House Manager to supervise our Front of House operations.

Job Description
Reporting to the Venue Operations Manager, the House Manager is responsible for the Basie Center’s frontline, patron-facing team. This person will embody what it means to be inclusive and welcoming, and in turn will represent the highest levels of customer service to our patrons, guests, staff, and community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and motivate front of house personnel for each of the Basie Center’s over 400 performances per year in both the historic theatre and the Vogel.
• Oversee ushers, ticket takers, lobby set up and program distribution for all events and performances.
• Oversee assistant house managers and delegate all relevant duties.
• Conduct pre-performance walk-throughs of the venue ensuring cleanliness and checking public areas, including restrooms, lobbies, theater, foyer, and front of building.
• Act as point person for all VIP/meet & greet events. Advance and coordinate VIP/Fan Club experiences with tour management, as well as distribute information to all pertinent internal staff.
• Manage and advance artist merchandise needs, and schedule staff as needed.
• Troubleshoot and personally respond to event-related customer service issues.
• Handle patron seating issues and facilities emergencies.
• Set a positive example for usher staff by modeling professional and expert customer service.
• In compliance with the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensure all accessibility accommodations are set before guest arrival, and assist guests with last-minute accommodations.
• Handle artist settlement in the absence of the Venue Operations Manager.
• Work closely with Box Office to resolve seating issues and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Maintain a presence throughout the theatre for every performance. Be proactive at intermission and following performances to handle patron inquiries.
• Coordinate performance activities (timing, intermissions) with Tech Director and Venue Operations Manager.
• Work closely with security and concessions staff to ensure a positive patron experience.
• Compile information for and distribute daily performance report.
• Facilitate trainings and professional development for staff with outside organizations.
• Manage lost and found inventory and recovery.

Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of experience in theatre, venue, event, or restaurant management.
• Experience and enthusiasm for working with the public, preferably in the performing arts or hospitality industries.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, & time management skills. Must be able to think on your feet and work under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience with Ticketmaster ticket scanners and ticketing software is a plus.
• Able to work non-traditional hours including nights, weekends, and some holidays.
• Able to stand for 4+ hours during work shifts. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs if needed
• Familiarity with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its guidelines for compliance.
• CPR and/or First Aid certification preferred.

This is a full-time, exempt position and eligible for the Basie’s competitive benefits package that includes paid time off (personal, sick and vacation), insurance (health, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability) and a 401(k)-retirement plan including company match. The annual salary range is $50,000 – $60,000.

APPLICATION FORM

 

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Part Time Showtime Playbill Advertising Sales Representative at the Count Basie Center for the Arts

Position Description
The Count Basie Center for the Arts, in the ever-growing and beautiful downtown Red Bank, New Jersey, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced sales representative to support the organization’s funding goals.

Job Description
Reporting to the Sponsorship Manager, the Sales Representative, will be solely responsible for new business ad sales for the Basie Center’s semiannual Showtime playbill print publication.

Key responsibilities are as follows:

• Target opportunities for local businesses in Red Bank and surrounding towns to advertise in the Basie Center’s Showtime playbill – distributed to all Basie Center patrons attending the 250+ performances per year in the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre.
• Create a list of potential businesses and coordinate with the Sponsorship Manager to ensure that the businesses are not already part of the Basie Center development programs.
• Work with Sponsorship Manager to create a sales package to present to potential advertisers.
• Make cold phone calls to businesses to generate sales and set up in-person meetings as needed.
• Follow-up on phone calls with an informational email containing the sales package.
• Keep a detailed spreadsheet of contacts and notes for future reference.
• Work with Sponsorship Manager to create contracts for new advertisers.
• Maintain relationships with advertisers through the contract and fulfillment process.
• Weekly sales reports for Sponsorship Manager.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience
• Outgoing, self-starter with excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ideal candidate should reside in or near Monmouth County and be available for in-person meetings with potential advertisers and Development team at the Basie Center in Red Bank.

This is a 20 hour per week, part-time, remote position non-exempt and eligible for The Basie’s 401(k)-retirement plan including company match. Salary is $17 per hour with bonus for exceeding advertising goals.

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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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