"Production Manager"

Job Description Summary

The Production Manager reports to the Dean of the College of Performing Arts (CoPA) and oversees all production-related aspects of programs and events. This role is responsible for all budgeting and planning in coordination with the Dean, in addition to organizing meetings for production management and safety. This position is responsible for hiring and training technical and operational staff and coordinating the various production teams.

This role supervises the Production Management Department and staff and leads strategic planning for the department. Direct reports include the Costume Studio Manager and Technical Director, who supervise technical full-time, part-time, and student staff. This position develops, implements, and enforces department policies and ensures safety is a priority for staff and students. The Production Manager schedules and maintains all facilities under their jurisdiction and ensures that all aspects of CoPA productions are completed within budget, according to the artistic teams’ visions, and on time for the first public performance.

The Production Manager collaborates with other CoPA stakeholders regarding season calendars, production selection, venue assignments, selection of designers and Artistic Team members, and technical solutions to design concepts. Coordinates and leads all production meetings. Enforces established design deadlines. Manages the budgets allocated for each production, oversees purchasing, and reconciles expense tracking. This position ensures that all Production Management staff are promoting a safe and professional work environment, maintaining accepted safety standards in all facilities, and ensuring that student learning is a priority for every production.

The application review process will start in early September.

Responsibilities

Production Management

• Partner with the Dean of CoPA and other college leadership for Strategic Planning and Production Management.
• Communicate effectively with employees, directors, designers, and other members of the artistic team to manage productions smoothly.
• Work in close cooperation with CoPA’s Assistant Director of Artistic Operations, and with the appropriate faculty members in each department.
• Oversee production aspects and logistics of performance production for CoPA, in all venues used by the College with specific emphasis on the larger-scale productions for Theatre, Dance, and Opera. Specific disciplines include, but are not limited to, scenic carpentry and painting, theatrical properties, theatrical rigging, theatrical lighting, audio, and projection, costumes, hair, wigs, and makeup.
• Participate in the development of the CoPA Season Calendar; approve Production Calendars, and oversee the scheduling of Full-Time, Part-Time, and Student production staff.
• As a part of the production selection process, lead and assist the departments in navigating and procuring copyright permissions for performance works, including theatrical and music rights.
• Manage production-related budgets and advise on efficient spending of budgeted funds.
• Manage purchasing for CoPA Production Management, Theatre Production, Dance Production, and Opera Production budgets, ensuring compliance with university policies.
• Recommend designers and track designer performance and interaction with students and staff.
• Contract guest artists, designers, and coordinate contracts for production needs.
• Work with the production and artistic teams to understand the artistic vision for the production.
• Collaborate with the artistic team to meet theatrical needs for various events. Monitor the artistic designs to identify potential problem areas and assist the production team in finding solutions as needed. When necessary, set and communicate budget, labor, facility, or other limitations relating to production and artistic choices.
• Review and understand designs for each project. Utilize ideas and experience with theatre processes and equipment to increase productivity and efficiency.
• Schedule and lead production and planning meetings.
• Work closely with production staff at the Musco Center for the Arts and Chapman Auditorium when CoPA is presenting performances in those venues. This includes communication, knowledge, and adherence to venue and union-contract policy.
• Partner with on-campus operational departments, including Facilities Management, IS&T, Public Safety, Legal, Risk Enterprises, and others, in support of venue and production operations.
• Adhere to the highest safety standards during all production-related operations.

Supervising Staff

• Establish Department Policies and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Hire, manage, and supervise the CoPA Production Management staff, especially overseeing the work of the Technical Director and Costume Studio Manager.
• Direct the supervision of student workers and prioritize safety and learning.
• Oversee training of staff for professional development, productivity, and safety.
• Hire part-time and artistic team members; contract independent team members; supervise as appropriate.

Venue and Equipment Management

• Oversee the Management of the Entertainment Technology Center, Waltmar Theatre, Halsell Studio, and, to a lesser degree, Salmon Recital Hall and Sandi Simon Center for Dance during production times, in coordination with the appropriate parties.
• When not in production, oversee maintenance and inventory of CoPA assets, also in collaboration with departmental faculty and staff and in partnership with various on-campus partners.
• Under the supervision of the Dean of CoPA, collaborate on venue advancement throughout CoPA spaces.
• Monitor, report, and advise on venue and operational safety issues within CoPA facilities.
• Evaluate production equipment needs and arrange for the repair or replacement of equipment.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or the equivalent background and experience.
• Three to five years’ experience in a relevant Production Management position.
• Experience supervising production and technical staff.
• Experience with tools and facilities for professional, educational, and theatrical productions.
• Working knowledge of counterweight fly systems, stage lighting, electrics, and audio/visual systems.
• Experience creating, monitoring, and adhering to budgets and production calendars.
• Working knowledge of standard theatrical equipment and terminology.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Interpersonal skills to interact with diverse groups of individuals at all organizational levels, both inside and outside of the university, solving problems with diplomacy and tact.
• Ability to work on multiple projects, while maintaining a positive attitude in a potentially stressful environment.
• Ability to follow and apply safety and work-related policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of pertinent regulations and codes relating to theater productions.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-based environment.
• Familiarity with CAD and theatrical design rendering, as well as other software used in the field.
• Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction/instruction.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in an educational setting.
• Digital media skills.
• OSHA 10 certification.