Director of Production, Live Production

Director of Production, Live Production This role is hybrid with a combination of working from home, traveling, and some commuting to an office in Chicago. Applicants must be based in/near the Chicago area to be considered for this role. We're PRA, the leading destination management company (DMC) with 45+ years of experience across 32+ states and 100+ destinations. We believe destinations have power-and our people unlock its magic. We push past boundaries to transform ideas into business event experiences that connect, inspire, and endure. We love-and have fun-doing it. If you're curious, bold, and ready to build standout experiences, you'll find your place here. Position Summary The Director of Production reports to and partners with the VP, Production Services to manage the production function within PRA, overseeing the planning and delivery of meetings, general sessions, keynote events, and special programs across destinations. This role is responsible for building and managing production capabilities, ensuring consistent execution, strong financial performance, and high client satisfaction. The Director of Production operates both independently and in close partnership with PRA's Core Services and destination operations teams, depending on program scope and client needs. This role serves as a strategic bridge between production and the DMC business, ensuring alignment, clear communication, and seamless delivery when production services intersect with transportation, venues, décor, entertainment, and other core program elements. Key Responsibilities Production Team Leadership and Oversight Partner with VP, Production Services to scale the live production department, including staffing, workflows, and vendor partnerships Oversee production performance across programs, ensuring quality, efficiency, and profitability Establish production standards, workflows, and best practices across programs Partner with VP, Production Services, sales and operations leaders to support business development and program delivery Build and maintain strategic relationships with internal stakeholders, key vendors and contract staff Mentor and develop producers at all levels Step into high-risk or high-visibility programs when needed Independent Production Execution Lead production programs that operate independently of Core Services when production is the primary scope Manage production budgets, timelines, staffing, and vendor relationships for standalone production programs Ensure operational readiness, risk management, and contingency planning across programs Maintain ownership of production quality and financial performance regardless of program structure Collaboration with Core Services & DMC Operations Serve as a bridge between production and Core Services teams to ensure alignment on program delivery Partner with operations leaders when production intersects with transportation, venues, décor, entertainment, and logistics Clarify roles, responsibilities, and communication workflows across teams Support integrated program planning and execution when production services are part of broader DMC programs, from proposal through delivery Foster collaborative relationships that enable efficient delivery without creating operational silos Financial & Operational Management Manage production budgets, pricing strategies, and margin targets Forecast production resource needs and staffing requirements Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and cost control across programs Ensure financial discipline and accountability across the production function Team Development & Vendor Strategy Recruit, mentor, and develop production staff and freelance teams Build and maintain strong relationships with production and technical vendor partners Establish scalable staffing and vendor models to support fluctuating program volume Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence Business Development & Growth Partner with sales teams to support proposals, site visits, and client presentations Provide production expertise and technical guidance during program planning Help position production as a strategic capability within PRA's service offering Identify opportunities to expand production services across destinations Qualifications 10–15+ years of experience in live event or meeting production Proven leadership experience managing teams and multiple programs simultaneously Strong financial and operational management skills Experience building or scaling production functions in a growing organization Excellent client and executive stakeholder management Ability to travel regularly Success in This Role Looks Like A production department that runs predictably and profitably Clear processes and accountability across the team Strong vendor partnerships and reliable execution Capacity to support growth without chaos Salary Salary: $145,000-$165,000 Benefits Benefits include Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, 401(k) with Company Match, Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Vacation Time and Paid Holidays, Paid Sick Time, Parental Leave, Pet Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, and others. #J-18808-Ljbffr