Production Coordinator

NEIU • Chicago, IL

18d • Onsite

About The Position

The Production Coordinator works within Northeastern Illinois University’s Student Union, Events and Conference Services department (SUECS) and Production and Technical Services department (PTS), reporting to the Production Manager. The role coordinates production operations in the Recital Hall and Sasha Gerritson Theatre and provides production and operational support for other PTS-supported events on campus, at El Centro and CCICS, and at NEIU commencements and Board of Trustees meetings. The position is based at the Main Campus and is in-office, with travel to other NEIU campuses as needed.

The coordinator plans staffing and production services with university departments, student groups, faculty, staff, rental groups, and other clients. The role supervises student, freelance, and contractor staff; advances event requirements; and performs technical production work such as live sound, projection, lighting, rigging, stage management, and audio/video recording and post-production. It also maintains production equipment and records, supports venue scheduling and rental administration, and serves as an event liaison to clients, Police, and Building Service Workers. Participation in all commencement ceremonies is required. The schedule is flexible according to departmental and event needs, and evening and weekend hours may be required.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available. A background check is required. The salary listed is $57,000. University employees may be eligible for State of Illinois benefits, including health, dental, and vision coverage, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least one year (12 months) of education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization; a master’s degree in a field consistent with the duties may substitute for one year of work experience.
• Diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing audio, video, lighting, and networking equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 70 pounds and work on ladders up to a 24-foot working height, lifts up to a 30-foot working height, catwalks, and crawl spaces.
• Legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States; the position is not eligible for work-visa sponsorship.
• Ability to participate in all commencement ceremonies.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a field related to technical theatre, theatrical design, or AV engineering.
• Two years of experience managing a team.
• Knowledge of video recording, livestreaming, and video editing.
• Experience managing rental events.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and email correspondence.
• Understanding of event-related software, including QLab, CAD, and/or Vectorworks, and ability to interpret and implement layouts and diagrams.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability.
• Self-motivation and ability to carry out tasks with minimal direction.
• High attention to detail and solid organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate production operations in the Sasha Gerritson Theatre and Recital Hall for concerts, conferences, lectures, third-party events, and rental events.
• Assist the Production Manager in advancing event needs with university faculty and staff, external partners, renters, and event organizers.
• Execute and supervise live sound engineering, including creating patch lists and stage plots; projection operation; stage management; lighting design, programming, and operation; rigging and fly-system operation; audio and video recording and post-production; and other production services as needed.
• Supervise and direct student workers, freelance employees, and contractors to meet event production needs within budget constraints.
• Assist the Production Manager with creating training and protocol documentation and with creating and revising Production Unit policy.
• Suggest improvements to administrative systems and enforce University policy.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, clean, and repair audio, video, lighting, and control equipment; update inventory, patch lists, lighting repertory plots, venue technical documentation, and equipment firmware; and report issues beyond the coordinator’s scope to the Production Manager.
• Report facilities maintenance requests to the Production Manager.
• Assist with administering venue calendars through the University scheduling system and ensure venue activities are accurately reflected there.
• Provide operational support in other Student Union spaces and the north campus, and cover Operations Unit duties when necessary.
• Serve as secondary liaison, after the Production Manager, to faculty, staff, rental clients, and others; advise and educate them about equipment operation and facilities use.
• Serve as event liaison to Police and Building Service Workers during SUECS/PTS-supported events.
• Provide administrative support and management for rental events, including meeting prospective clients, scheduling pre-production meetings, serving as the primary day-of production contact for NEIU venues, and reporting space and staff usage for invoicing.
• Participate in planning and executing commencement ceremonies, Board of Trustees meetings, and other off-campus or satellite events, including organizing equipment, loading and driving trucks, moving furniture, setting up and operating AV and conference-room technology, and related duties.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or needed.

Benefits

• University employees may be eligible for State of Illinois benefits, including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

What This Job Offers

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