Production Manager - Boston, United States - Berklee College of Music

Description

Job Description:
OVERVIEW:
Under the leadership of the Senior Concert Producer in Communications and Marketing, the Berklee Presents team conceives, designs, produces, and provides creative and musical direction of the highest artistic caliber for an annual series of flagship interdisciplinary concerts and events featuring student talent from the College and Conservatory community, including Singers Showcase, the Great American Songbook, the commencement concert, convocation, Amplify Berklee, and more. With global cast sizes ranging from 80 to 200 students, possessing a wide array of skill, talent, and diversity, the productions promote Berklee's mission and identity, embody curricular and programmatic innovation, and support institutional enrollment, experiential learning, retention, and advancement goals.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Production Manager is responsible for ensuring that concert production elements for all Berklee Presents performances under the leadership of the Senior Concert Producer, are implemented and executed at the highest possible musical pedagogy, creative, operational, and technical standards in an academic setting. As a critical core member of the production team, the Production Manager executes a range of musical, production, and operational day-to-day support for artistic programming, including performances, rehearsals, sectionals, auditions, casting calls, production meetings, and special events. This role creates a safe and inspiring environment for students to achieve their musical and creative potential and ensures that each student has an exceptional musical journey.

The Production Manager collaborates with the members of the faculty, staff, and student production team, and closely partners with the offices of concert operations, events planning, student affairs, communications and marketing, and institutional advancement to coordinate season scheduling, venue and rehearsal room booking and usage, audio-visual in-house and vendor relationships, and financial support to the team including managing event contracts, invoices, and budgets for operations. The Production Manager's responsibilities and those of the entire Berklee Presents team share a common mission of fostering excellence in performance and learning while promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. A willingness to work occasional long or unconventional hours, including nights and weekends as rehearsal and performance schedule requires.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work directly with the Senior Concert Producer and creative team to bring together all aspects of the music and interdisciplinary components within a production, ensuring smooth running from the first rehearsal to the final curtain call
• Provide support to the producer, musical director, and student performers during instrumental sectionals and concert element transitions to uphold the musical/artistic integrity and consistency of quality throughout the production
• Assist the Berklee Presents team with the recruitment and allocation of musicians in the band, as well as accompanists for rehearsals, developing a complete understanding of the instrumental components of the show
• Create the prompt book containing the production's sound, lighting, and set cues, as well as other vital information, and convey the director's wishes to the audio-visual team and stage crew
• Formulate rehearsal requirements for the academic year with the Senior Concert Producer, understanding which cast members need to be there, and what the directors expect to accomplish at each rehearsal
• Attend on-campus rehearsals, sectionals, and performances in order to provide support, mentorship, and quality control feedback to the Berklee Presents team and the student cast
• Take cast, blocking, and prop notes for the producer and director during weekly rehearsals and sectionals, confirming tempos/tempo variations and all score notes for the band and stage crew
• Serve as a hub of communication between the cast and production team, incorporating musical score and cue sheet tracking changes as they are made throughout the pre-production process, collaborating with the arranging team, track producers, arranging supervisor, musical directors, and stage management team, to ensure they remain in sync, and distributing these changes to the relevant cast members
• Deputize for the Senior Concert Producer, when necessary, during their absence or at the request of the Senior Concert Producer should they be unavailable
• Coordinate the audition and callback process, including as necessary promoting auditions, liaising with marketing and communications, developing audition schedules, and supporting the faculty audition panel
• Organize, catalog, and maintain both the physical and digital music library for Berklee Presents productions
• Establish effective processes for student cast scheduling and communication of show schedules, advances, and day sheets, including the updating of systems that ensure the secure storage of students' FERPA-protected data
• Manage the Senior Concert Producer recording studio, audio equipment inventory, and recording session calendar
• Assist in backstage management during rehearsals and concerts, ensuring that everyone is ready for curtain and in the wings in time for their entrances, and calling technical cues to the crew over a wireless headset
• Serve as the administrative lead to establish work-flow and organization of team files and shared drive databases
• Develop and sustain professional relationships and collaborate internally and externally for the benefit of the team
• Act as an appointed liaison to the communications and marketing department, ensuring clear communication between teams, and helping the Berklee Present team to thrive interdepartmentally
• Partner with Academic Scheduling to book a variety of fit-for-purpose ensemble spaces and classrooms to support weekly instrumental and dance sectionals, blocking sessions, and full cast rehearsals
• Assist with rehearsal room setup and secure required technology support for team meetings and production rehearsals, including the acquisition of specialist instruments from Percussion Services and Academic Technology
• Act as a point of contact within the team for queries and administrative needs for cast members and creatives
• Assist the Senior Concert Producer in the hiring, onboarding, and management of Student Employees
• Author digital credits on Hub as a content editor, ensuring the most updated instrumentation and performer names, and compile and draft copy for printed concert programs prior to proofing and publication in print, online, and promotion
• Coordinate cast and crew dinner during the dress rehearsal
• Undertake administrative tasks as required to support the Berklee Presents team
• Other duties within the scope of the job description above may be assigned

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability to work with musicians, performing artists, and creative production teams in interdisciplinary settings and in fast-paced, dynamic, fluid work environments
• Extensive knowledge of contemporary commercial music, passion for the performing arts, and a good musical ear are essential
• Thorough knowledge of instrumentation, ensemble configurations and section seating, as well as industry best practices for auditioning and rehearsing student musicians and performers, including adherence to principles of fairness and sensitivity in all matters
• Knowledge of MIDI orchestration and sample libraries to improve arrangers MIDI sketches of arrangements
• Strong situational awareness of teaching and mentoring strategies that allow for the full range of ability and learning styles in each cast, particularly taking into account the learning needs of neurodivergent students and for accessibility resources and accommodations
• Live sound experience operating digital and analog consoles, multi-channel monitor systems
• Well-developed communication skills with an approachable, diplomatic, and professional manner, and with the ability to effectively communicate information to relevant internal and external stakeholders in a variety of forms
• High level of interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and sound judgment to handle sensitive and confidential situations with maturity, honesty, integrity, and discretion
• Must have strong project management skills, ability to think strategically and possess the ability to establish and juggle priorities, manage shifting priorities, multitask, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple competing deadlines and work priorities while maintaining a flexible approach in delivering work outcomes
• Highly organized, excellent attention to detail, and excels at time management skills
• Ability to work effectively as a team player as well as independently.
• Flexibility in dealing with changes and ambiguities, with the confidence to make difficult decisions
• Excellent proofreading skills, exceptional attention to detail and follow through
• Bachelor's Degree in music preferred, or equivalent experience
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in the performing arts industry, ideally in a music assistant, production assistant, and/or stage crew role

DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES:

• Passion, enthusiasm, and ability to motivate and inspire students
• Excellent work ethic with great attitude
• Reliable, punctual, and diligent
• Proactive, forward thinking
• Appreciation for and understanding of the exacting needs of musicians, professional artists, and guest artists
• Capable of graciously synthesizing, incorporating, and providing constructive feedback
• Able to take direction and seek clarity when needed
• Empathetic and calm demeanor under pressure
• Resourcefulness to find required information.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

• High level of computer literacy and proficiency skills in music notation software programs such as Finale, Sibelius and DAWs ProTools and LogicProX
• Fluency in Google Drive, Microsoft Office Suite, and Dropbox software
• Adobe Creative Cloud experience, a plus
• Experience with project management tool such as Asana, a plus

ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS ONLY

All materials should be uploaded and addressed to the Production Manager Search Committee. Please submit the following application materials in PDF or Word format:

• Cover letter
• Current resume or curriculum vitae
• Names, titles, and contact information for at least (3) three professional references

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee:

We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at or call

Berklee is committed to increasing the diversity of our institution, community, and the curriculum. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.

*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*

Employee Type:
Staff