Program Manager

About the Role

The role involves programme development and curation, building and maintaining a Jaipur cultural network, event planning and execution, developing partnerships and collaborations, audience development, budget and administration, and programme evaluation within Jaipur’s arts and cultural ecosystem.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Programme Development & Curation
• Develop and manage an annual and monthly calendar of cultural events and programmes.
• Identify opportunities for exhibitions, talks, performances, workshops, lectures, screenings, festivals, literary events, demonstrations and other cultural experiences.
• Develop programme concepts that are relevant to the organisation, its audiences and Jaipur’s cultural context.
• Research and recommend artists, speakers, performers, curators, scholars and cultural practitioners.
• Develop partnerships and collaborations with cultural institutions, creative organisations and individuals.

Jaipur Cultural Network

• Build and maintain a strong network across Jaipur’s arts and cultural ecosystem.
• Maintain active relationships with artists, galleries, museums, cultural institutions, designers, architects, writers, musicians, performers, craftspeople, scholars and other cultural practitioners.
• Stay closely connected with emerging as well as established talent in Jaipur.
• Identify new voices, practitioners and organisations that can bring fresh perspectives and audiences to the programme.
• Represent the organisation at relevant cultural events, openings, festivals and gatherings in Jaipur.

Event Planning & Execution

• Take ownership of events from initial concept through execution and post-event review.
• Prepare programme briefs, budgets, timelines, production plans and event requirements.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external vendors, artists, speakers, performers and partners.
• Manage event logistics including venue preparation, technical requirements, hospitality, artist requirements, audience management and production.
• Ensure events are delivered to a high professional standard and within approved budgets and timelines.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operational issues during events.

Partnerships & Collaborations

• Develop collaborations with cultural institutions, universities, galleries, foundations, creative organisations, festivals and other relevant partners.
• Explore opportunities for co-curated and co-produced programmes.
• Build relationships with potential speakers, artists, performers and institutional partners.
• Support sponsorship and partnership opportunities where relevant.

Audience Development

• Develop programmes that attract diverse audiences, including local residents, cultural communities, students, professionals, visitors and international audiences.
• Work with communications and marketing teams to develop effective audience outreach for programmes.
• Monitor audience response and use insights to improve future programming.

Budget & Administration

• Prepare and manage programme budgets.
• Obtain quotations and coordinate procurement and vendor engagement as required.
• Maintain programme documentation, contracts, invoices, artist details and other relevant records.
• Ensure compliance with organisational processes and approvals.

Programme Evaluation

• Track attendance, audience profile, programme costs and other relevant metrics.
• Conduct post-event reviews and document learnings.
• Recommend improvements to programming, partnerships and event execution.

Qualifications

Education

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in Arts, Cultural Management, Event Management, Heritage, History, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Hospitality, Communications, Management or a related discipline is desirable but not mandatory.
• Relevant professional experience and demonstrated networks may be given greater weight than academic qualifications.

Required Skills

Candidate Profile

• The ideal candidate will:
• Be based in Jaipur and have a strong understanding of the city’s cultural landscape.
• Have well-established personal and professional networks in Jaipur’s arts, culture and creative communities.
• Have 3–7 years of experience in event management, cultural programming, arts administration, hospitality, museums, festivals, performing arts, galleries or a related field.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Indian arts, culture, heritage and contemporary creative practice.
• Have strong programme development and project management skills.
• Be comfortable working with artists, performers, scholars, institutions, vendors and senior stakeholders.
• Have excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Be highly organised and capable of managing multiple programmes simultaneously.
• Have strong attention to detail while retaining the ability to think creatively and strategically.
• Be comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment.
• Be willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays when programmes require it.

What Will Matter Most

• Beyond formal qualifications, we are particularly looking for someone who brings:

Jaipur network

• A genuine and active network within Jaipur’s arts, culture and creative ecosystem.

Cultural understanding

• The ability to distinguish between an event that is merely well produced and a programme that has genuine cultural relevance and substance.