Senior Production Manager

JACOBS PILLOW DANCE FESTIVAL INC•Becket, MA

10d•$70,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

The primary responsibility of the Senior Production Manager (SPM) is the management of the operations of the Doris Duke Theatre (DDT). Opened in July 2025, a major focus of the Duke is supporting choreographers, designers and performers working at the intersection of dance and technology. The SPM takes the lead in the planning, preparation, and execution of all technical elements of all festival and year-round programming including supporting artists in the creation process during technical residencies. During the festival the SPM supervises the DDT’s seasonal staff of professionals and during non-Festival months, the SPM supervises a team of overhire technicians. The Senior Production Manager also manages the use and maintenance of the theatre's support spaces, including 2 dance studios, exhibition space and workshop. The SPM coordinates with the Facilities, Safety and Accessibility Department to ensure the building and its equipment are being operated safely in accordance with all protocols and capacity limits. Reporting directly to the Director of Technical Production (DoTP) the SPM will also assist the DoTP in budgeting, scheduling and hiring as well as creating and facilitating departmental strategy and policy.

Requirements

+7 years of related experience in production management, stage management or other technical theater leadership.
Proven ability to manage diverse teams, resolve cross-cultural conflicts, and apply an equity lens to decision-making, hiring, and scheduling.
Strong knowledge and the ability to instruct others on general theatrical production systems and standard operating procedures.
Strong knowledge of production-related health & safety best practices/concerns and ability to identify and correct potential hazards.
Working knowledge of the role, responsibilities and standard operating procedures of all production departments.
Knowledge and experience with production software including lighting, sound, and drafting applications.
Proficiency with the Google App suite.
Experience with budgeting and scheduling.
Valid driver’s license.
Willingness to learn.
Ability to work proactively, creatively, flexibly, kindly, safely, and collaboratively.

Nice To Haves

Experience working and/or teaching in a performing arts educational environment.
Knowledge of dance or the performing arts industry.
Experience managing a modular black box theater.
Experience managing productions that incorporate motion capture technologies, extended reality technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, or robotics.
Advanced knowledge of theatrical rigging best practices, systems, and safety.
Experience in production or stage managing dance productions or companies.

Responsibilities

Create and maintain an accessible and collaborative work environment that enables artists and technicians to create together positively and safely.
Establish clear communication with DDT artists and their teams to coordinate, confirm and collaborate on all production elements.
Create and maintain detailed paperwork including standard operating procedures, schedules, labor plans, and safety information.
Distribute paperwork and information to all stakeholders in a timely and detailed manner.
Maintain early and constant communication with the DoTP regarding the artist’s requirements and use of organizational and departmental resources.
Facilitate communication between production staff members and DDT artists.
Assist the DoTP in the creation and maintenance of departmental, organizational and production specific schedules and budgets.
Assist the Production Administrator in coordinating schedules for all DDT crew calls, including load-ins, load-outs, extended rehearsals or performance calls, notes, and changeovers.
Coordinate with the Production Administrator on all necessary purchases and rentals
Supervise all DDT work calls, rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and performances.
Supervise the use of the Doris Duke Theatre, its support spaces and its equipment to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance.
Supervise, schedule, train, and communicate clearly with DDT full-time, seasonal and overhire production staff.
Manage the installation and operation of exhibits in the DDT’s exhibition space.
Attend all organizational, departmental and production meetings including a weekly All-Staff Meeting.
Facilitate regular meetings with DDT production staff and facilitate departmental meetings as necessary.
Coordinate with the Facilities, Safety and Accessibility Department on all building maintenance, improvements, cleaning and upkeep as well as general and production specific safety and accessibility requirements; and set standards for third-party uses.
Support the Events & Operations Production Manager on all events or rentals taking place in the DDT and approve all uses.
Assist Patron Services in the planning for efficient movement of patrons into the venues and coordinate with backstage personnel on starting times, late seating pauses, intermissions, etc.
Under the general direction of the DoTP, assist with coordination of emergency response for staff and patrons in the event of an emergency or extreme weather.
Complete Adult/Child CPR, First Aid, Cultural Competency, and required Safety training.
Assist and support other departments, including non-production departments, as needed on use of the theater.
Take on tasks as assigned.