Program Manager (Entertainment Services Manager)

THE POSITION

The Program Manager will play a lead role in establishing and managing the newly formed Entertainment Services Division. The position will oversee the permitting of special events, entertainment venues, and commercial filming while helping promote Sacramento as a destination for entertainment activities. This position will work closely with representatives from other departments, event organizers, production teams, and/or venue owners to foster a welcoming environment for safe entertainment activities that enrich Sacramento. The Program Manager will help develop and implement strategies to streamline processes and create proactive policies that reduce barriers for applicants, while being sensitive to the concerns of the public.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the impact that entertainment has on the vibrancy, diversity and economic vitality of a community. They will also understand the importance of the role that policy and regulation play to ensure safety, minimize negative impacts, and establish an equitable landscape. The ideal candidate will have the following traits, skills, and experience:

• Implementer: They will evaluate existing entertainment environment and identify opportunities for improvement using a variety of tools including, but not limited to, education, policy, outreach, regulation, promotion, and incentivizing. They will have skills to create new approaches, designs, processes, technologies, and systems to achieve desired results.

• Collaborator: They will have interpersonal and leadership skills necessary to build and foster a positive and collaborative team. They will be able to work with a wide array of interested parties from other City departments, outside jurisdictions, applicants, and entertainment industry professionals with varying viewpoints.

• Problem-Solver: They will be adept at identifying and addressing potential issues related to entertainment activities. The ideal candidate will use their analytical skills to navigate and resolve complex situations efficiently. They will have dexterity to constructively embrace different points of view, resolve challenging issues, and bring cohesive solutions forward.

• Customer Service Orientation: They will be committed to providing exceptional service to promoters, producers, production team, venue owners, and other applicants. The candidate will be approachable, professional, and able to handle inquiries and concerns with diplomacy.

• Communicator: They will clearly communicate and present information to leadership, legislative bodies, committees, industry professionals, and members of the public. The will be able to receive feedback and utilize it for improvement.

Overall, the ideal candidate will bring a blend of industry knowledge, administrative expertise, and a proactive attitude to help guide the seamless implementation of the entertainment services division and contribute to the city's dynamic cultural landscape. They will understand the value of employing both short-term and long-term strategies.

Under limited direction, a Program Manager organizes and manages major programs or projects with a high degree of visibility and substantial citywide impact; supervises professional, technical, and clerical staff; coordinates administrative functions; and develops procedures, programs and methodologies.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This management level classification may be populated with multiple incumbents who exercise a broad range of authority over complex programs critical to a department’s mission. Responsibilities require work beyond typical program or project management work. Incumbents must exercise substantial innovation and leadership in developing and managing programs or projects. The Program Manager is distinguished from the lower classification of Program Specialist in that the Program Manager is responsible for administration and management of major complex programs and projects with high visibility and substantial citywide impact.

This class is distinguished from that of Support Services Manager in that the latter class manages all internal support functions for a department and supports a board or commission.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Limited direction is provided by a department head or division manager. Supervision, on a regular basis, of three or more assigned staff positions is required to hold this classification.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Organizes, coordinates, and manages one or more major programs or projects with high visability and citywide impact; coordinates administrative functions including budget preparation, financial management, contract administration, and personnel administration for the program.
  
• Develops procedures and methodologies within compliance requirements; interprets and applies existing policies to actual situations; coordinates development of work plans, selects and supervises staff; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems, assigns work activities, and evaluates work products.
  
• Serves as principal contact for the program/project; confers with department heads, division chiefs, members of professional staff, and other officials concerning programs, regulations, procedures, policies, etc.; represents the department in a variety of meetings involving program coordination or regulatory requirements; may serve on commissions or non-profit boards as part of program service delivery.
  
• Develops and maintains informational and statistical reports regarding program performance, goal attainment, and service levels; conducts customer service audits and delivers customer service training.
  
• Works with vendors and suppliers; writes RFP/RFQs, contracts, and grant applications; negotiates terms, conditions and performance standards.
  
• Provides exceptional customer service to those contacted in the course of work.
  
• Other related duties may also be perfomed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Principles and practices of public administration, including governmental finance, budgeting, personnel administration, procurement methods.
  
• Methods and practices of modern office management.
  
• Advanced principles and practices of research, analysis, and technical report writing.
  
• Functions and missions of publicly appointed Boards or Commissions.
  
• Principles and practices of supervision.
  
• Advanced principles and practices of project/program development, management and administration.
  
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.

Skill in:

• Collecting and analyzing large volumes of data and reaching a conclusion supported by the research.
  
• Building a consensus among parties with competing or conflicting interests.
  
• Supervising and motivating employees and generating department-wide cooperation in support of strategic goals and plans.
  
• Use of computers, computer applications, and software.

Ability to:

• Prepare technical or analytical reports.
  
• Interpret and apply regulatory practices, rules, and policies to actual situations.
  
• Present ideas effectively, orally and in writing.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse backgrounds.
  
• Meet deadlines in a highly political environment.
  
• Effectively plan, develop, and implement a comprehensive program with a broad scope and high degree of complexity.
  
• Manage highly complex subject matter.
  
• Make program or project changes based on analysis of results, new legislation, or departmental changes.
  
• Exercise administrative supervision and direction over professional, technical, and clerical staff.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Six years of professional level administrative and analytical experience including two years of which must be in the program area.

-AND-

Education:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration or a closely related field.

Note: It is highly desirable the required years of professional-level experience be attained in a governmental jurisdiction.

Substitution:

A post-graduate degree may substitute for one year of the required professional level governmental administrative and analytical experience.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE