"Production Manager"

Job Details

Job Description

Department: Performance, Theater, and Dance - Staff

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Employee Type:

Job Summary:The Department of Performance, Theater, and Dance seeks a highly motivated production manager to collaborate with department faculty and staff to plan and realize the academic year production season. The production manager will coordinate the production organization process, facilitate production meetings, mentor students interested in production and/or arts administration, and collaborate with faculty, staff, and students in fulfilling the mission of the department and the College. If there is interest and/or expertise, opportunities for teaching may be possible.

Essential Functions and Key Responsibilities

To perform successfully in this position, an individual must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily as well as possess education/experience, employ the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed in representative fashion. Colby College actively supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This listing of essential duties is not all-inclusive, but representative; other duties may be assigned.

Production Support

• Coordinate approximately 10–12 departmental productions annually
• Facilitate clear and effective communication throughout the production process; maintain a positive and encouraging learning environment
• Assist PTD faculty and staff with the formation of the production team (identify, vet, and assist with hiring contractors; 30–45 contracts per year)
• Collaborate with lead faculty and staff to develop and administer department production calendars, including design and technical production deadlines for all productions; schedule and facilitate all production meetings
• Coordinate production budgets and provide periodic statements of spending to the production team and the department chair(s)
• Schedule and lead weekly in-person production meetings for each production, including taking and distributing notes in a timely manner
• Advise all members of production teams as needed
• Serve as the primary contact for professional touring productions, artists, and scholars hosted by the department; support online department information pertinent to these individuals and companies
• Coordinate the recruitment of student employees for department productions and for touring productions sponsored by the department
• Attend selected rehearsals and technical rehearsals to mentor students and collaborate with colleagues
• Attend opening nights of department main-stage productions
• Collaborate with the department administrative assistant to document and archive all department productions
• Consult with extra-curricular student performing clubs on production and stage management best practices
• Participate in weekly Arts Office collaborative production meetings

Administrative Duties

• Collaborate with department faculty and staff to achieve the department mission as defined in learning outcomes
• Coordinate department production budgets and support student designers and production staff with purchases, including tracking funds from outside sources
• Coordinate the contract process for independent contractors and short-term employees for the department
• As required for the season’s productions, collaborate with the department administrative assistant to secure show performance rights by obtaining approval from the General Counsel's Office
• Attend all department planning retreats and select department meetings
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Stage Management

• Assign student stage managers and assistant stage managers to productions for the annual academic performance season
• Serve as the primary mentor for all student stage managers and assistant stage managers
• Advise student performing club stage managers and production managers

Scheduling

• Create a viable annual performance calendar and maintain this calendar during the academic year, including all rehearsals and performances
• Collaborate with the administrative assistant on building scheduling and maintain an up-to-date online calendar

Health and Safety

• Collaborate with the technical director and costume shop manager to support the department safety program
• Facilitate safety training as needed for students, staff, and faculty
• Create a risk assessment for all department productions

OTHER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Teaching

• Teach one course annually on stage management, production management, or arts administration
• Expand educational opportunities in production management for students through guest lectures/workshops, field trips, and conferences

Position Qualifications

Education and/or experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
• Minimum three years of experience as a production manager or as a member of a production management team with progressively responsible roles
• Previous experience in an academic setting with proven teaching record preferred
• Committed to the values of a liberal education
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Must be able to manage multiple complex tasks simultaneously
• Excellent time management skills; deadline driven with proven ability to manage changing priorities
• Excellent decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Must be flexible, organized, have strong attention to detail, show initiative, and have a results-driven philosophy
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a diverse community and make an impact in a complex, fast-paced and team-oriented environment
• Proven leadership ability and experience in negotiation and facilitation of collaborative process
• Broad understanding of all aspects of theater and dance production and technical production, including scripted work, original work, and devised work
• Experience managing and adhering to operating budgets and production budgets
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel and other software/online resources used for scheduling and production management
• Knowledge of common design and technical production software used in the performing arts (Vectorworks, AutoCad, Lightwright, Isadora, Qlab) and ability to read and understand technical drawings
• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, an employee must be able to maintain appropriate confidentiality with regard to employee data, documents, issues, etc., and respect privacy needs of employees and past employees with regard to the same. The ability to comply with highly inflexible deadlines is required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; there will be multiple occurrences of sudden, urgent task completion required. There may be occurrences of employees, past employees, members of the general public, and others who express opinions, may exhibit strong emotions, which will require the employee to interact professionally, diplomatically, and appropriately in such situations. While performing the essential duties of this position, an employee would frequently be required to move around the office space as well as within hallways, meeting rooms, and other parts of the campus facilities. There may be multiple/daily instances of prolonged personal computer use which would include keyboard and/or mouse usage as well as viewing a computer monitor. An employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds to perform essential position functions. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. The overall work environment requires the mental ability to shift focus quickly due to interruptions; an employee must be able to mentally track multiple projects and tasks as well. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, there may be unexpected instances of somewhat loud sounds.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the Colby College website. Please upload a cover letter and resume to your application.