Director of Production

Montclair State University • Montclair, NJ

12d • $85,551 - $111,227

About The Position

Reporting to the Chairperson, the Director of Production leads a dynamic, student-centered production team. The Director oversees production personnel, resources, and activities associated with the Department to ensure their quality, educational value, and responsible execution. A typical 14-week semester includes three mainstage productions, three studio productions, and class-based and student-led performance projects. The Director works in collaboration with the faculty, students, guest artists, production staff, academic leadership and other production departments on campus to cultivate our national reputation as a rigorous and inclusive training ground for the next generation of Theatre and Dance professionals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of four years of professional experience in production management and/or direction in a theatrical/live event environment.
• Experience in negotiating contracts, budgeting and accounting.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and under pressure.
• Well-rounded knowledge across all stagecraft disciplines, and interest in exploring new technologies and approaches.
• Proficiency with Google Suite and MS Office and an ability to learn new software systems as needed.
• Experience, ability and commitment to creating a working environment that is supportive, open, and respectful.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience in leadership of a production team.
• Experience in an educational production environment and student mentorship.
• General understanding of current best health and safety practice within the US Theatre Industry.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, evaluate, and support the growth of full-time and part-time production staff.
• Schedule and manage overhire, project-based personnel, and guest artists as necessary in consultation with faculty and production area supervisors.
• Lead the production office team, including Graduate Assistants and Work-Study students.
• Provide continual communication, support and production direction to guest artists, including guest designers, choreographers and directors.
• Create and maintain clear channels of communication and responsibility across all staff and stakeholders.
• Hold regular production, staff and stakeholder meetings to ensure flow of information and the development of clear goals and next steps.
• Cultivate a working environment that values respect, transparency, multiple perspectives, fiscal responsibility, productivity, and a collaborative mindset for both staff and students.
• Create and manage overall departmental production budget, and create and maintain show, project and event budgets to maximize effective use of fiscal resources.
• Manage and allocate money, space, time, and resources to ensure adequate production support for each show and event.
• Monitor fiscal and logistical feasibility of productions and projects, and propose and implement alternatives as necessary to ensure responsible execution.
• With the Production Business Associate and Department Administrator, coordinate deal memos and agreements for guest artists (Directors, Choreographers, Designers), and the hire of staff and temporary employees.
• Ensure timely and accurate payment of all non-salary personnel.
• Identify and coordinate rental of production equipment and materials with Business Associate and Production Area Supervisors.
• With the Assistant Production Manager, create and maintain production calendar (including auditions, rehearsals, deadlines, performances, tours, and strikes) and keep all company personnel apprised of changes in schedules.
• Contribute to the Season selection process in collaboration with Chair and faculty.
• Working with Production Business Associate, ensure licenses and copyright permissions are secured for all shows and events.
• Build efficient systems and paperwork to support all productions and events and look for ways to continually improve our processes.
• Ensure adequate staff coverage for all rehearsals, load-ins, performances and strikes, and attend as necessary.
• Working with production area supervisors and CART Performance Operations, lead maintenance and upkeep activities in our production, rehearsal, and performance spaces.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

Benefits

• The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance.
• For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/benefits/

What This Job Offers

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