Production Manager

Muhlenberg College

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Chair for Theatre & Dance, the Production Manager supports an active student-centered production season in Theatre & Dance within the context of a liberal arts curriculum. While all candidates with Arts Administration and Production Management experience are encouraged to apply, priority will be given to candidates who can mentor student Stage Managers. Should the successful candidate wish to pursue this opportunity, they may elect to also teach Stage Management courses as an adjunct (paid above the PM salary). This is a dynamic, collaborative role central to the artistic success of the Theatre & Dance Department.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in arts administration, business management or theatre and/or dance with an emphasis on Stage Management.
• Exceptional project and event management skills - minimum three years relevant professional experience required.
• Ability to effectively lead, mentor, support and manage a diverse team of staff and contingent labor.
• Demonstrated experience with financial management of complex event budgets requiring excellent analytical skills.
• Attention to detail and meeting deadlines; ability to prioritize and manage complex workflows.
• An aptitude for mentoring student SMs.
• Knowledge of theatre and dance productions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Commitment to collaborative environments, transparency in team-based planning, ensemble-based creation processes.
• Excellent organizational and follow-through skills with the ability to assess and prioritize work assignments and manage tasks through to completion.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive academic and professional environment where all members of our campus community are respected, valued, can succeed, and thrive.
• Successful completion of satisfactory background checks including but not limited to education verification, criminal background, and child abuse clearance.

Nice To Haves

• MFA or MA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the communication, logistics and financial manager of the production process for all Theatre & Dance productions.
• Contribute to Theatre & Dance Season Selection, including checking on rights and evaluating production elements and budgets.
• Lead production meetings.
• Coordinate/liaise with theatre and dance student organizations.
• Forecast and manage the annual production budgets.
• Create annual schedule of productions and confirm design deadlines.
• Proactively anticipate safety issues/concerns and implement training and safety plans in coordination with the shop heads.
• Monitor and track deadlines across productions.
• Help oversee Production facilities, including the Trexler Pavilion for Theatre and Dance, Studio 22.
• Provide effective leadership, direction, and support to Theatre & Dance production staff.
• Recruiting, selecting, onboarding, and training of employees.
• Setting clear expectations.
• Providing regular feedback and addressing performance concerns.
• Supporting employee development.
• Ensuring compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Fostering a respectful, inclusive, and accountable work environment.
• Providing operational oversight to include approving and monitoring employee time, attendance, schedules, leave requests, and other employment-related documentation as applicable.
• Maintaining appropriate communication with employees, Human Resources, and leadership on matters related to staffing, performance, workplace conduct, and other employment-related issues.
• Supervise the production staff and liaise with guest directors, choreographers and designers.
• Mentor and oversee student stage managers.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• generous paid holidays, including three days off for Thanksgiving and an extended winter break between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
• 22 vacation days per year
• sick leave
• eight weeks of paid parental leave
• Life Sports Center membership
• undergraduate and graduate tuition opportunities
• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• flexible spending accounts
• short- and long-term disability coverage
• life insurance
• retirement benefits
• qualifying employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

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