Lead Production Manager - Columbia, MD

Position Summary: · NETworks is looking for a highly efficient and technically skilled Lead Production Manager. The Lead Production Manager oversees all technical and logistical aspects of multiple touring theater productions. This role ensures that each performance is executed s ...

Job description

Position Summary:

NETworks is looking for a highly efficient and technically skilled Lead Production Manager. The Lead Production Manager oversees all technical and logistical aspects of multiple touring theater productions. This role ensures that each performance is executed safely, efficiently, and to the highest artistic standards while managing budgets, schedules, and personnel across multiple titles.

This position will serve as a Production Manager (PM) on several tours per year and must have excellent communication skills. The Production Manager is responsible for realizing the vision of the creative team including the Executive Producer, Director, Choreographer, and Designers. The PM hires, manages, and oversees all production staff and production elements for assigned tours. The PM must maintain a high level of artistic integrity while meeting the budget and schedule requirements and ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all artistic and production personnel.

Additionally, the Lead Production Manager collaborates with the Senior Director of Production Management in supporting the members of the Production Department, including ongoing training and development systems, as well as department operational procedures and processes.

Success in the role requires people skills, the ability to work under pressure and handle multiple projects simultaneously, attention to detail, a deep passion for theatre, and the ability to work independently while communicating effectively within the organization, with creative teams, and partners.

Responsibilities:

Planning & Coordination

• Develop and maintain production schedules, tech riders, build timelines and other relevant documents.
• Coordinate with venues to ensure compliance with technical requirements and local regulations.
• Work with creative teams, technical crews, and management to conceive, build and move tours
• Work with booking departments to approve show venues and mileage jumps for each of the tours

Budget & Resource Management

• Prepare and manage production budgets, tracking expenses and ensuring cost efficiency.
• Negotiate contracts with vendors and suppliers to stay within budgeted parameters.

Technical Oversight

• Oversee and supervise scenic, lighting, sound, video, prop, costumes and hair builds for productions, ensuring quality, safety, and adherence to design specifications while staying within tour parameters
• Develop and implement with road crews plans for smooth and efficient load in and out of show in various size venues and conditions
• Develop truck packs for tour
• Remotely supervise all technical departments during tour run with periodic visits to the shows.
• Ensure proper maintenance and transportation of show owned and rental equipment
• Work with road crew and shops to troubleshoot technical issues during run of tour.

Personnel Management

• Hire, train, and supervise union (IATSE) touring technical staff.
• Find and develop new talent through recruitment events and resume reviews
• Foster a positive and collaborative working environment on the road.

Safety & Compliance

• Implement and enforce health and safety protocols for cast and crew.
• Ensure compliance with union rules, labor laws, and venue regulations.
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Theater Production, Technical Theater, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• 3-5 years in touring production management position

• Strong understanding of technical theater disciplines (carpentry, rigging, automation, lighting, video, sound, props and costumes)

• Self-starter, who's able to adapt to multiple work environments.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with maintain extreme attention to detail.

• Solution-oriented and comfortable in high-pressure situations.

• Strong leadership and communication skills, both verbally in large group settings and in writing.

• Must be able to collaborate with multiple personalities and types of positions (e.g. Director, Producer, technicians, etc.)

• High level of Computer proficiency, experience using Microsoft Suite (specifically Excel), Zoom, and Adobe with the ability to learn new software programs.

• Advanced Drafting skills preferred (Vectorworks or AutoCAD).

• Valid Passport required.

Work Environment

This role is expected to help create a professional work environment and is required to work in a variety of locations and venues. Must be willing to travel extensively and work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays. Must be able to adapt to multiple buildings / theater venues and work long hours during the technical period(s) in dimly lit environments. Must be able to travel in multiple modes of transportation, including planes, trains, charter and sleeper coaches, and cars. Must be able to perform functions of position remotely with varied temporary workspaces.

Physical Demands

Ability to travel via air/train/vehicle and upright or sleeper buses for an extended period. The ability to work varied hours due to show requirements and needs during the production and operating period. The ability to perform job responsibilities in a high stress, crisis management environment and manage multiple staff members' requirements and priorities and the ability to manage and balance multiple projects. Must be able to travel for an extended overnight period(s). Applicants must be able to push, pull, move and lift 25+ lbs and work in varied environments (cold, heat, rain).

Salary

Commensurate with experience, pay range for this position is $125,000 – $135,000 with benefits package including healthcare, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, and paid time off. OSHA Safety training/certification will be provided.

This position is remote based. Please submit a cover letter, resume and references to with "Lead Production Manager" in the subject line. No phone calls please.

NETworks:

NETworks is committed to building and retaining an inclusive and diverse staff across all projects. As an equal opportunity at-will employer, we strive to create working environments that are welcoming, inclusive, and equitable. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, or national origin. Applicants of all ethnic and racial backgrounds, gender identities, and abilities are encouraged to apply.

NETworks Presentations is an industry-leading producer of touring theatrical productions, committed to delivering quality entertainment to audiences worldwide for more than 25 years. Current and upcoming productions include A Beautiful Noise, Beetlejuice, The Book of Mormon, Boop The Musical, Buena Vista Social Club, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Mark Twain Tonight, Phantom of the Opera, The Great Gatsby, The Sound of Music, The Wiz and Water For Elephants.