Talent Buyer (Full-Time) - Straz Center For The Performing Arts

Be a Star at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts!

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Programming, the Talent Buyer will interact continuously with producers, clients, promoters, artists' agents, and artists' managers in efforts to solidify business for on- and off-site venues. Talent Buyer will coordinate all aspects in the facility booking process, including proposing, buying, and contributing to the calendar of events. Core responsibilities include managing the progression of events from scouting and acquisition to post-event settlement and includes but is not limited to identifying appropriate presentations; creating estimates, proformas and budgets; contracting presentations; processing payments; gathering and relaying interdepartmental information; and fulfilling event settlements. This position requires knowledge of current trends in the live entertainment industry, including immersive and experiential productions, in addition to various genres of music, dance, theater and other eclectic entertainment options.

Talent Buyer will also assist the Senior Director of Programming with delivery of department initiatives and long-range programming objectives. On an annual basis, support departmental multi-year strategic plan, refine specific annual operational goals, action steps and budgetary expectations for the coming year.

The Straz Center is seeking candidates to join our marketing team who have a passion for advancing the arts and embraces the Straz Center's mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Located in downtown Tampa, the Straz offers a team-based work environment and a full package of benefits for full-time staff including options for health/dental, vision, etc., plus a generous 403(b) plan.

Essential Functions:

• Incredible time management and interpersonal skills with the ability to handle multiple competing priorities.
• Contacts agents/producers for potential holds, drafts and submits offers while coordinating availability of artists.
• Serves as the liaison between agent, producer or co-promotional partner and the Straz Center's Marketing and Production departments on Buyer's confirmed and contracted engagements.
• Prepares, tracks, and maintains proformas, estimates, contracts, and agreements.
• Attends conferences/trade shows, networking events and meetings as required and uses these opportunities, as well as cold-calling and lead generation, to generate new business.
• Confirms and contracts Buyer-selected engagements once approved by the Senior Director of Programming, Chief Programming and Marketing Officer and CEO.
• Researches, selects, and develops budget projections for live performances with a primary focus on dance, family entertainment, speakers, school field trips and music. for on- and off-site performance spaces.
• Establish, build, and proactively maintain positive relationships with producers, creators, agents, managers, and industry representatives.
• Remains current on industry developments, touring artist availability, trends.
• Proven success working in a fast-paced environment with an extreme sense of urgency and ability to balance ever-changing priorities.
• Impeccable written and verbal communication skills.

Financial Responsibilities:

• Assists the Finance department by providing timely information regarding upcoming cash requirements for shows, for guarantee payments, cash order requirements for day-of-show, settlement payments for overages and/or royalties, etc.
• Tracks contract and payment status as well as collects show expenses and invoices from internal departments for Straz-presented or co-presented events.
• Ensures all event files are maintained in an accurate, complete, and up to date.
• Provides timely financial results to Chief Programming and Marketing Officer and Senior Director of Programming for all assigned events immediately upon settlement.
• Facilitates communication of technical needs with the Production department for assigned events.
• Works extended and/or irregular hours including nights, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Financial results for all prior week performances to be provided no later than the following Monday to be included in the weekly Flash Report.
• Ensures settlements for assigned events are created and executed. This includes night of settlements as needed and confirms complete event settlement packages are delivered to the Finance department within agreed upon deadlines established between Programming and Finance.
• Works with the Finance department to provide insurance certificates for artists requiring them and reviews any insurance-related issues in contracts.
• Assists with preparing the event budgets under the direction of the Senior Director of Programming.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Prepares written weekly update for contribution to full department report; submits to Executive Administrator no later than COB each Thursday.
• Administrates and coordinates all Straz programming event contracts and artist payments for assigned events, including those designated by Senior Director or Senior Manager.
• Attends and contributes to monthly full department meetings.
• Attends and contributes to weekly Programming Dept meeting.
• Maintains all show folders, show documents, and show tracking sheets for all assigned Straz events.
• Upon request, sends available dates on hall availability to promoters, agents, or other potential clients.
• Attends and contributes to weekly Production & Event Operations meetings.

Other:

• Assists in departmental functions and special events and performs other duties when necessary to ensure the overall smooth operation of the Straz Programming.
• Contributes to overall team effort in planning and development and shares in the decision-making process, implementing and promoting all decisions in a spirit of cooperation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

• Excellent organizational and follow-through skills.
• Financial and budgeting experience required.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Suite includes but not limited to frequent, required use of Outlook, Excel (high competency), Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Availability to frequently work nights, weekends, and holidays, as required.
• Contracts and live events background experience required.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects and respect multiple deadlines with frequently changing priorities on a tight schedule.
• Effective proofreading ability.
• Strong attention to detail and highly organized.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with a diverse population.

Education and Work Experience:

• 3 - 5 years of talent buying experience at a live entertainment venue.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in live entertainment programming/booking with demonstrated ability to assess current industry trends preferred.

Experience with immersive and experiential productions is highly desirable.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position and use the telephone. The employee is frequently required to move, reach, and communicate effectively.
• The nature of this job requires the employee to work on-site as a regular work routine. Most often, on-site work is required daily.
• The employee is frequently required to traverse from workspace to workspace within the overall work facility, covering multiple floor locations.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to being an inclusive workplace and strongly believes in the importance of having a diverse group of individuals represented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

Please visit our website at www.StrazCenter.org to learn more about the Straz Center.