Director, Production Infrastructure and Planning

The Metropolitan Opera•New York, NY

23h

About The Position

The Metropolitan Opera’s Production Department manages the production and technical details involved in developing and creating opera productions, performing grand opera in repertory, and operating and maintaining the Met stage, shop machinery, and offsite warehouse and storage operations. Its facilities include construction, electric, scenic, and costume shops, as well as in-house design and engineering studios. The Director of Production Infrastructure and Planning plans and executes the department’s capital improvement projects and develops infrastructure systems and safety protocols in support of opera performances on the Met stage. The position leads long-term strategic planning to advance production capabilities, manages key vendor relationships, and is a new role that will evolve with departmental needs. The role includes developing and executing a long-term capital improvement plan; overseeing production systems, equipment, compliance, budgets, software, and external production spaces; and participating in strategic planning, season scheduling, and evaluations of production designs and their facility and safety requirements.

Requirements

A terminal degree in Theater, Production, or Management, or equivalent professional experience.
At least 5 years of experience in a similar position at a major theatrical venue.
Demonstrated knowledge of standard project management practices.
Knowledge and experience with all aspects of technical backstage operation.
Solid fundamental knowledge of theater production organization, practices, and techniques.
Computer literacy, including MS Office products.
Experience with standard technical and theatrical drafting procedures.
Ability to clearly communicate technical and artistic concepts in writing.
Problem-solving skills, including the ability to synthesize and evaluate solutions in three-dimensional space.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work on a team in a fast-paced, detail-oriented workplace.
Flexibility, communicativeness, and a collaborative approach.
Balanced judgment and discretion.
Ability to work with a diverse group of creative people and bring teams together for complex projects.
Ability to meet the significant work commitment demanded by a 24/7 theater.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of standard opera repertory.

Responsibilities

Assess the Met’s stage equipment and machinery on an ongoing basis.
Prioritize capital needs and develop a capital master plan, including project timelines coordinated with the technical team and organization-wide capital planning and the performance schedule.
Plan individual capital projects, including budgets, RFPs, and resource requirements, in collaboration with the technical team.
Negotiate and contract third-party project management firms, consultants, and equipment vendors in coordination with the Met legal department.
Supervise production capital project execution, including safety plans and training, permitting, and budget tracking.
Oversee the functionality, safety, permits, and regulatory compliance of stage and workshop equipment and machinery in coordination with the in-house technical team, safety director, and legal team.
Keep abreast of current and developing industry standards and guidelines regarding stage facilities.
Coordinate planning and use of external production workshops and storage spaces with in-house and contracted resources.
Develop annual budgets and track expenses for production systems.
Negotiate and execute third-party service and purchase agreements for stage equipment and systems in coordination with the Met legal and finance departments.
Maintain production software licenses and administer production software in consultation with IS.
Participate in strategic planning for future production operations and infrastructure.
Participate in season scheduling and planning.
Collaborate with technical and production colleagues to evaluate new production designs for facility and system requirements and to evaluate and develop production safety plans and protocols.