"Equipment Cage and Production Studios Manager"

Job Description

The Equipment Cage and Production Studios Manager oversee the VPA Equipment Cage and production studios, ensuring efficient operations for the Department of Film and Media Arts (FMA). They hire, train, and supervise one full-time Cage Operations Supervisor and up to forty student employees divided into the following categories: Cage Team Leads, Cage Workers, the Repair Team Lead, Repair Technicians, and Lab Monitors. Collaborating with the department chair, they establish policies and standard operating procedures and develop/forecast long-term purchasing and staffing plans. They manage equipment procurement, supply chains, and vendor coordination while providing technical support to students and faculty. This role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, and cross-department collaboration to maintain facilities that meet the evolving needs of the curriculum and student productions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree in film, media production, photography, animation, or a related field is required; a masters degree is preferred.
• 5+ years experience in inventory management, with a focus on AV production equipment and fieldwork across various media contexts.
• Supervisory or leadership experience, preferably managing teams in a warehouse, production environment, or on-set as a department head.
• Preferably two years of experience in a higher education setting in a customer service role, supporting students and faculty.
• Experience managing annual staffing and operational budgets, including forecasting needs and resource allocation.

Skills and Knowledge

Technical Skills

• In-depth knowledge of AV production equipment, including film, photography, animation, virtual reality, and motion capture technology.
• Familiarity with editing suites, sound recording studios, lighting setups, and digital/analog production tools.
• Experience with inventory management systems, purchasing workflows, and supply chain coordination.
• Strong ability to troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues in production environments.
• Knowledge of IT systems related to production, including asset management, scheduling, and access control.

Management & Communication Skills

• Exceptional people skills with strong verbal and written communication abilities to effectively interact with students, faculty, staff, and vendors.
• Proven ability to hire, train, and oversee employees, including full-time staff and student workers.
• Experience in developing and enforcing policies, standard operating procedures, and long-term planning strategies.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to track, record, and set accountability for equipment and personnel.

Responsibilities

• Operations Oversight includes managing the day-to-day functions of the Cage, maintaining an approximately two-million-dollar inventory, and ensuring the smooth check-in and check-out of equipment.
• Hires, trains, and supervises 1-2 full-time employees and up to 40 student employees, setting clear operational priorities on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis.
• Develop and enforce policies related to equipment use, track inventory costs, and coordinate with VPA IT to implement asset management, scheduling, and access control systems.
• Management responsibilities encompass forecasting staffing needs, developing and executing long-term purchasing plans in line with departmental and technological developments, maintaining supply chain operations, and continuously reviewing standard operating procedures.
• Work closely with faculty to identify equipment needs and stay informed about advancements in film, photography, animation, virtual reality, and motion capture technology.
• Oversee purchasing, maintenance, and inventory tracking to ensure production studios remain fully functional for curricular needs.
• Direct Student and Faculty Support which involves advising students, especially seniors and graduate students, on equipment reservations and production needs.
• Provides hands-on training for students, staff, and faculty on equipment use and ensures that production studios, including editing suites, animation and sound recording studios, and darkrooms, are well-maintained.
• Oversee the upkeep of studio expendables and coordinate large-ticket equipment purchases to optimize cost-effectiveness and functionality.
• Lab and Facility Upkeep which includes ensuring that labs and studios remain in working order and overseeing access control for production spaces.
• Interfaces with central IT offices and external vendors to troubleshoot technical issues and coordinate service contracts.
• Work closely with university IT to align technology needs with broader institutional plans, ensuring seamless integration between specialized production equipment and university-wide systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the Universitys 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.