Production Director (Experiential)

On Board Experiential•Los Angeles, NY

About The Position

On Board Experiential (OBE) is an award-winning, full-service, experience-led agency that creates brand experiences worldwide. The Production Director is responsible for all production elements for assigned projects and programs from start to finish, executing the approved production-specific Scope of Work in support of client goals and objectives. The role manages and directs production personnel, including internal and external producers and third-party vendors, and may oversee several projects simultaneously at different stages of activation. The Production Director plays a prominent role in program development, including strategic thinking, concept development, feasibility work, project planning, pre-production, budget development and tracking, profit-and-loss management, and overall project quality. The role works collaboratively with internal and external teams to improve OBE’s operations and the quality of its work. It also includes production direction for live, virtual, and hybrid projects, such as pre-recorded, simulive, and livestream productions. OBE describes its work environment as collaborative, fast-paced, dynamic, and flexible. Employees may work from home, at OBE’s offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York City, or wherever projects require. The role may require in-office and on-site work, nontraditional hours, some nights and weekends, and travel up to 50% of the time. The listed annual compensation range is $110,000–$145,000, with compensation determined by factors including experience, skills, certifications, and market conditions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, or a related field.
8–10 years of direct experience producing or managing large experiential programs and events.
Strong experience producing large events and big-budget activations, including work with large fabricators and multiple vendors on complex activations.
Very strong client and customer service experience and focus.
Experience in at least two of the following specialized areas: audio/video/lighting, mobile marketing tours, set fabrication, live event activations, or corporate meetings.
Strong and diverse experience applicable to this multifaceted, high-demand role.
Experience with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Smartsheet, Google apps, Trello, or other project management tools.
A strong network of production personnel and service providers.
Exceptional organizational, planning, managerial, and client-interfacing skills.
Superior management, leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Ability to manage internal and external crews and staff, multitask, prioritize commitments, and meet deadlines.
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and clients, independently, and with large internal and external teams.
Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and Access.
Ability to manage projects and events within budget.
Excellent judgment and decision-making skills, including proactively identifying obstacles and developing solutions.
Strong working knowledge of and experience with location permitting and insurance processes.
Strong vendor relationships and experience with competitive bidding.
Strong work ethic and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, flexible work environment.
Flexibility and comfort working nontraditional hours as needed, including some nights and weekends.
Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time.
Ability and willingness to work in-office, on-site, and remotely as required.
Integrity and a positive attitude.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of experience in an experiential agency environment.

Responsibilities

Direct, manage, mentor, and motivate junior production staff.
Support new business development by assessing project and event feasibility and developing production deliverables for proposals; attend pitch presentations when needed.
Serve as the primary production contact for internal and external teams, including clients, throughout projects and programs.
Collaborate with OBE leadership and senior production, account, creative, strategy, technology, and other teams on project, departmental, and companywide matters.
Direct and oversee project production communications, documentation, and deliverables in a timely, detailed, efficient, professional, and courteous manner.
Ensure staff work to high industry standards and follow company policies and standard operating procedures.
Establish and maintain best practices that meet client needs and continually improve operations.
Create and meticulously track detailed event timelines.
Develop project-wide operational and logistical plans, including staffing plans, responsibility grids, workback and production timelines, load-in and strike schedules, accessibility considerations, on-site communications, weather preparedness, and contingency plans.
Keep OBE leadership and senior production staff informed of applicable Scope of Work and budget revisions.
Source, recruit, hire, and manage project-specific and full-time production staff.
Source and secure vendors in accordance with company policies, including obtaining competitive triple bids, negotiating, and securing signed contracts.
Reconcile production budgets and prepare post-event analyses.
Direct live, virtual, and hybrid production, including remote and in-person video production management, post-production supervision, digital asset management and tracking, quality assurance and quality control, licensing and compliance, talent relations and management, and content integration.
Perform other duties as assigned.