Assistant Production Manager

Assistant Production Manager

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation's premier Ensemble Theater with 50 members who are among the top actors, playwrights and directors in the field. Thrilling, powerful, groundbreaking productions have made this Chicago theatre legendary. From the 1980 phenomenon of Balm in Gilead, to The Grapes of Wrath, August: Osage County, Downstate, The Brother/Sister Plays, and now, the 2025 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning Purpose, Steppenwolf Theatre has had a long-running and undeniable impact on American Theatre and Chicago's cultural landscape. Founded in 1975 by Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry and Gary Sinise, Steppenwolf started as a group of young people in their teens and early 20s performing in the basement of a church. Today, the company's artistic force remains rooted in the original vision of its founders: an artist-driven theatre, whose vitality is defined by its appetite for bold and innovative work. Every aspect of Steppenwolf is rooted in its Ensemble ethos, from the intergenerational artistic programming to the multi-genre performance series LookOut, to the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf Education and Engagement which serves nearly 15,000 teens annually.

While grounded in the Chicago community, more than 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf also holds accolades that include the National Medal of Arts, 14 Tony Awards, two Pulitzer Prize-winning commissions and more. Led by Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis, Executive Director E. Brooke Flanagan and Board of Trustees Chair Keating Crown — Steppenwolf continually redefines the boundaries of live theater and pushes the limits of acting and performance.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is seeking candidates for the full-time position of Assistant Production Manager.

This position works with the Production Manager to manage operations and administration of all production department activities. The Assistant typically plays a lead Production Manager role on visiting artists/presentations and other special events in the Downstairs and Ensemble Theaters. This position plays a key role in the coordination and mentorship of two Stage Management Apprentices.

This position reports to the Production Manager and collaborates closely with the production/general management team including Associate General Manager, Company Manager, Production & General Management Administrator, as well as production shop heads.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Assist with shepherding the design process, aiding shops in value engineering, supporting rehearsal/tech process, running production meetings.
• Production manage visiting artist/presentations and main production contact for rentals/events in Downstairs and Ensemble Theaters
• Assist in season planning and facilitate maintenance and communication of detailed schedules and calendars
• Reconcile production department expenses
• Execute reimbursements for designers
• Supervise, mentor, and lead hiring process for Stage Management apprentices and other non-AEA support roles for Stage Management.
• Collaborate with Education Department on production apprenticeship program
• Liaise with administrative departments to ensure communication and coordination
• Adhere to strict health and safety guidelines and play a leadership role in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
• Ensure that the production work environments are inclusive, and respectful for performers, designers, and staff.

Qualifications

Desired Qualifications:

• Professional experience in project management for the performing arts
• Three or more years of supervisory and leadership experience are preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong accounting skills
• Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements (USA, AEA, etc)
• A demonstrated ability to creatively collaborate with a diverse range of designers and design processes and a willingness to adjust the production process to the needs of a given project
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple overlapping and on-going projects to highest standards within the time, human resource, and budgetary constraints
• An ability to balance design ideas with the more practical needs of quick changes and durability for the demands of a production
• Knowledge of safety policies and procedures within a performing arts environment
• Ability and commitment to working with diverse groups in terms of gender expression, race, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status

Compensation:

This is a Full-Time position with a salary range of $62,763 - $63,500, per year with excellent benefits package, medical, dental, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, vacation pay, paid sick time, personal days, Ventra transit benefit program, employee assistance program and 401(k) matching retirement program.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and three references.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Steppenwolf complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.