Director of Production

Job Description

Reporting to the Managing Director and working closely with the Artistic Director, this position will provide long-term and seasonal strategic oversight and direction to the Production department, ensuring that productions are executed in alignment with the A.R.T.'s mission to expand the boundaries of theater. The Director of Production will oversee the production, build and running of all aspects of the A.R.T.'s annual programming with adherence to established parameters, schedules and budgets. As a key senior member of the A.R.T. team, the Director of Production will provide leadership in the areas of season planning, budget planning and production staff management.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Team Management and Communication:

• Serve as the leading strategist and collaborator between senior leadership, production staff and design teams, ensuring communication proliferates throughout the department and that needs are being represented and responded to (at all levels).
• Lead A.R.T.'s Production Department, including direct supervision of seven department heads, and production management along with union and non-union personnel at multiple locations.
• Sets standards, policies, and expectations for Production Department success.
• Manage and assess team performance and training needs with the goal of establishing high-performing and highly engaged team members.
• Relate production and Production Department mission critical concerns and corresponding possible solutions to the Artistic Director and Managing Director on an ongoing basis.
• Promote an inclusive, respectful work environment for staff, overhire employees, and guest artists.

Budget Management:

• Set and monitor the annual Production Department budget, which is approximately $9 million, for all production departments, including appropriate forecasting, maximizing efficiencies and controlling costs
• In concert with the Managing Director, Artistic Producer, and General Management, develop and manage individual production budgets, expenses and timelines.

Project and Production Management:

• Advocate and strive for a safe environment for all production staff, including being up to date on best theater practices for health and safety.
• In concert with the Artistic Producer, manage the A.R.T. pre-production and production processes, including working with creative teams to meet the budget and other resource limitations for each specific production. Ensures A.R.T.'s productions are delivered safely, on-time, within budget and other parameters, and with artistic excellence.
• Oversee the safe and efficient delivery of all scenic, costume, and properties - including automation and special effects.
• Oversee the creative, technical, safety and logistical aspects of all production running elements, including stage management, stage operations, lighting, sound, video wardrobe teams.
• In collaboration with Artistic and Producing teams, develop the season schedules and staffing plans.
• Oversee all production and production department project planning logistics through schedules and staffing plans.
• Ability to make key decisions when consensus cannot be reached.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including A.R.T. senior leadership, staff, external directors, designers and stage managers.

Special Projects:

• As the A.R.T. embarks on a capital campaign to build a new facility in Allston, as well as a renovation of its offsite shops, this role will serve a key contributor to moving into the Goel Center and establishing the practices for the production department in it. This role will be expected to recommend, assess, and prioritize technical needs related to setting up the new space.