Senior Production Manager / Stage Manager

MSU Careers Details • East Lansing, MI

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About The Position

Wharton Center for Performing Arts seeks an organized, collaborative Senior Production Manager to coordinate technical production for touring attractions, performances, rehearsals, rentals, and special programs. Working closely with the Technical Director, the position serves as a key contact for visiting productions and rental clients, supervises event crews, and coordinates lighting, sound, video, scenery, rigging, and stage equipment. The role combines hands-on technical work with planning, communication, customer service, and problem-solving. The schedule is flexible to meet production and departmental needs and includes evenings, weekends, and other hours dictated by event schedules.

The Senior Production Manager advances and manages assigned productions from load-in through load-out, including technical requirements, staffing, equipment, schedules, and event activities. The position also supports production spaces and systems, maintains equipment and inventories, coordinates specialized repairs and improvements, enforces safety requirements, coordinates crew staffing and labor calls, and manages production budgets, estimates, settlements, expenses, and records.

Requirements

• An associate’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Up to five years of experience in theatre technology, including stage setup, lighting and sound design, film/video projection, and related technical areas in production and presentation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing the activities of union stagehands.
• Ability to work under pressure from deadlines, limited support staff, space, and equipment.
• Knowledge of basic personal computer terminology and operations, including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and CAD.
• Strong organizational and customer service skills, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to operate under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Advance and manage assigned productions, including technical requirements, staffing, equipment, schedules, and activities from load-in through load-out.
• Serve as event stage manager and technical contact; supervise crews, operate and troubleshoot production equipment, and coordinate with event support teams.
• Maintain production spaces, equipment, and inventories to ensure readiness for performances and events.
• Support production systems and facility improvements, and coordinate specialized repairs, inspections, and installations as assigned.
• Enforce safety requirements and emergency procedures, address production hazards, and stop or modify unsafe work.
• Coordinate staffing and labor calls under applicable agreements; train crews and uphold professional, inclusive workplace standards.
• Develop production budgets, technical estimates, and settlements; monitor expenses and evaluate vendor proposals.
• Maintain accurate labor, billing, and payroll records and ensure compliance with the collective bargaining agreement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree