Associate Director, Logan Center Production

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

10d • $65,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The Logan Center for the Arts is a place to experience, create, and contemplate art, connecting the University of Chicago with artists and communities on the South Side and throughout the city. As a space of possibility, it brings together people of all backgrounds for experimentation, learning, and discovery. More than just a building, the Logan Center fosters collaboration between students, faculty, artists, and Chicago’s communities, offering a space where diverse voices and disciplines come together. With world-class resources, innovative programming, and a commitment to accessibility, the Logan Center serves as a catalyst for artistic exploration and cultural exchange in Chicago and beyond. Reporting to the Director of Facilities and Operations, the Associate Director, Logan Center Production, is responsible for the overall management of events in the Logan Center Performance Hall, Penthouse, Screening Room and Café. The Associate Director works closely with Logan Center users to provide technical support to events and programs, advance and oversee all aspects of production, and ensure on- site supervision for lectures, dance, conferences, film screenings, and musical performances. The Logan Center has several multi-purpose performance spaces managed by Logan Center Production. As such, production requirements vary widely from day to day. The Associate Director supervises technical staff, scheduling, budgeting, maintenance and custodial care. Logan Center Production provides real-world vocational training. Many of our student staff go on to secure technical jobs in the live production world outside of the University of Chicago.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five (5) years of experience in theater management, technical direction, and/or live event production.
• Staff supervisory experience.
• Managing budgetary processes.
• Knowledge of current live event technical equipment, especially those related to lighting, audio and projection, and rigging control systems.
• Knowledge of building systems and maintenance techniques.
• Read and interpret documents such as technical riders, stage plots, lighting rep, blueprints, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Manage websites and us social media as a marketing and outreach tool.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Power Point, standard e-mail, and internet applications.
• Negotiation skills and knowledge of project management software.
• Understand the needs of the University of Chicago community and work with students, faculty, staff and community partners in a wide array of situations is essential.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and computer skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Work independently and carry out assignments and projects without detailed instructions.
• Organizational and human relations skills with ability to collaborate well and supportively.
• Cultivate good relationships with various constituencies.
• The temperament to work with a diverse and demanding population is expected.
• Comfortable in moments of quick decision-making in stressful situations.
• Self-directed and self-motivated, able to set goals and develop projects.
• Remain calm in stressful situations.
• Clear, effective, and tactful oral and written communication skills.
• Prioritize and execute multiple tasks simultaneously, with an ability to view a project in its entirety.
• Convey departmental policies, program requirements, and humanities-related information clearly and professionally to academic audiences.
• Strong ability to draft, edit, proofread, and tailor original correspondence, including writing in the voice of others and taking dictation.
• Provide accurate information about degree programs and departmental procedures.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Manage multiple projects from start to finish, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing needs.
• Work independently while also taking direction from faculty, project managers, and supervisors.
• Professional discretion, maintain confidentiality, and provide courteous, high-quality service.
• Learn new methods and incorporate improvements into the role.

Responsibilities

• Advances, schedules and coordinates public performances; maintains necessary technical equipment and resources. Ensures client communication in advance of performances.
• Coordinates with faculty, staff, students, University and community partners, and external users to determine event timings and technical needs.
• Coordinates and schedules the appropriate crew for each event, while considering skillset and availability of the staff as it relates to the technical needs of the show.
• Manages inventory of all lighting, rigging and audio/visual equipment. Provides routine preventative and corrective maintenance, and arranges for outside service when required. Logs, reports, and maintains records of any recurring issues.
• Procures production-related consumables, replacement parts, equipment upgrades, and coordinate with outside vendors.
• Manages Logan Production’s operating budget and fiscal activity including reporting of space rental, staff time and services, equipment rental, purchasing and payment of supplies, etc. Performs quarterly budget analysis and produce forecast reports of revenue and expenses.
• Supervises production and technical needs during rehearsals and public performances. Leads, supports and supervises show crew across multiple disciplines and types of event production. Ensures that day-of-show client changes to advance requests are responded to properly.
• Assists faculty, students, staff, student organizations, University and community partners, and external users with all technical production needs in Logan Center shared spaces. Coordinates use of Logan Center AV equipment for events between spaces and users, and coordinates activities with the Logan Media Center staff as necessary. Works with the Operations team to ensure front of house needs are met for Logan Center performances. Fills in on any technical role when staff is unavailable.
• Hires, supports, manages, trains, and evaluates 25-35 Logan Center Production staff. Develops teaching modules, guides, and workshops to train staff on technical aspects of live event production related to audio, lighting, playback, capture, and rigging. Teaches the soft skills required to respond to artist needs while ensuring that venue doors open on time. Maintains active job postings on Handshake and Grad Gargoyle. Schedules interviews with potential candidates, and onboards new hires. Reconciles and approves bi-weekly payroll and ensures that actual hours worked are consistent with client labor estimates and current labor laws. Performs bi-annual evaluations of part-time pro staff. This process involves encouraging goal-setting, as well as preliminary, final written, and in-person evaluations multiple times a year.
• Serves as a member of the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts staff, assists the Director of Facilities and Operations in project management, represents the Logan Center on various arts- related and administrative committees, and other duties as assigned.
• Collaborates with the design team and production crew to plan, develop, and implement property, special effects, and/or scenic elements of theatre productions. Acts as a resource for the production manager and provides recommendations regarding props solutions and related budget information. Works independently to manage the construction of props and their assembly for stage productions and rehearsals. Guides maintenance of inventory of props, technical equipment, tools, and/or stock supplies. Uses in-depth knowledge and experience to manage scene shops and backstage areas. Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director