Director of Production

The Director of Production will report to the Senior Vice President & Chief Program Officer (CPO) to plan and facilitate year-round production in all rehearsal, performance, and program venues, focusing on the 9-week summer season. The position includes critical cross-departmental collaboration while striving to centralize production needs, budgets, and schedules for all programs and presentations. The Director of Production will lead an audit of current production processes, consider industry best practices, and make recommendations for cost savings measures, revenue generation, safety practices, coordination of cross-departmental needs as well as improved processes for communication, scheduling, planning, and producing. Direct reports include the Amphitheater Production Manager (seasonal) and the Program Production Manager (full-time, year-round).

About the Work

Production

Communicate needs to appropriate venue crew supervisors (Amphitheater & Production Crews) and Buildings and Grounds staff during the summer season and manage venue needs during the winter season in support of Hotel and Institution events.

Foster and maintain a professional and disciplined culture across the Production team.

Work as liaison between Institution departments and the Athenaeum Hotel in scheduling, planning for, and producing events year-round.

Oversee production needs for events managed directly through the Performing and Visual Arts (PAVA) Office and communicate with guest artist management and institution staff as necessary.

Procure equipment from and negotiate contracts with the Advanced Production Group and/or all other external sources and vendors as needed, proactively looking for competitive bids and vendors.

Oversee new and evolving use of venues such as Norton Hall, CVA Galleries, and Bratton Theater to plan for all needs in advance of events (i.e. lectures in Norton, artist residencies in dance and literary arts studios, special events in Galleries).

Facility Management

Oversight of equipment and facilities maintenance of all special events venues, year-round, either via direct oversight or via oversight of (and collaboration with) season-specific venue managers. Venues include Amphitheater, Lenna Hall, Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Christ, Fletcher, McKnight, Norton Hall, Bratton Theater, School of Music buildings, and practice cabins.

Evaluate facilities for building repairs/improvements during the off-season, during the season, process concerns from production heads of various art companies.

Communicate urgent or emergency repair needs to Buildings and Grounds, and act as the facilitator for these requests from arts company/venue production crews.

Communicate long-term repair/improvement needs for capital expense consideration.

Communicate safety concern issues to Buildings and Grounds, Program, and PAVA Offices with regards to ADA Compliance, equipment management, and medical emergency equipment needs.

Coordinate with the Director of Security and Safety to gain security and emergency support for large events in the Amphitheater, Hall of Philosophy, and other venues as needed.

Staff Support Administration

Partner with Human Resources and PAVA Administrative Support Staff to direct the hiring process in UKG Pro Recruitment/Onboarding Software, including the review of applications, and conducting interviews.

Write and circulate contracts and manuals for crew positions.

Hire/support/train all heads of the production crew for each art company and venue, facilitating production needs as expressed before and during the summer festival season.

Communicate crew expectations to heads of production crews for each art company and venue, aligning with customer service excellence standards.

Act as a ‘first point of contact’ for employee performance/concerns and problem resolution by establishing Coaching & Corrective Action Procedures at Chautauqua Institution and in partnership with Human Resources.

Monitor and/or complete timely authorization of hours worked for payroll processing in UKG Pro. Audit areas of responsibility to guarantee compliance with Federal and New York State Labor Laws, Company Policies/Procedures, Standard Operating Procedures, and Guest Service Standards.

Support procedures for Public Health/Safety, including but not limited to Occupational Health & Safety Act (OSHA) Regulations, Fire/Evacuation Procedures, Employee/Guest Injury Documentation, and Worker's Compensation.

Scheduling

Oversee scheduling of events (managing Program Production Manager) on Arts Vision between all event venues and departments/organizations booking events, both internally and externally, year-round; Offer/arrange training as needed for other users.

Coordinate efforts of multiple arts company/venue production crews when events warrant collaboration between crews.

Communicate production and needs to appropriate crews to facilitate efficient crew scheduling.

Coordinate weekly production meetings with appropriate staff.

Offer training in Arts Vision as needed for staff.

Coordinate expenses of venues within budgets provided for other program departments including Education, Religion, Marketing, Hotel, and Community Groups.

Manage production budgets for the Program department.

Collaborate with department heads to create appropriate budgets for each venue/crew.

Proactively seek out cost savings within various department production budgets, including potential collaborations between programs/staff and potential restructuring of budgets/applicable resources.

In collaboration with Campus Planning & Operations, track capital projects and budget items to ensure timely completion and accurate budgeting.

Facility Maximization and Revenue Stream Generation.

Assess regional needs for facility usage in public and private sectors, as assigned.

Collaborate with the Athenaeum Hotel to create environments in which needs may be met.

Collaborate with Hotel and Marketing to devise plans to reach out to regional partners to maximize use and generate revenue from facilities including Norton Hall, School of Music venues, and the Amphitheater.

As assigned by the CPO, negotiate various union negotiations and contracts such as IATSE.

Manage production-related contracts, researching competitor products, services, and leases.

About You

Education/Experience

10+ years in arts events production management, preferably within non-profit or arts organizations.

Experience managing ArtsVision or similar event/venue management software accounts.

Experience in creating and managing production/operations budgets.

Successful history of union (IATSE) negotiations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Project management capabilities and initiative to navigate multiple projects, full cycle, simultaneously with experience in planning, executing, controlling, closing, and assessing results.

Technical savvy to utilize software and mobilized technology solutions organization-wide.

Relationship-building expertise and leadership disposition to provide direction or support across interworking teams.

Consultative and collaborative approach to problem-resolution in teams.

Creative, innovative thinking and fluency of ideas to lead strategic initiatives and be a key collaborator in business requirements analysis and data analysis methodologies to support all business objectives.

Systems thinking to understand data relationships and reporting within complex software systems.

Logic and reasoning to understand data structures, theories, principles, and practices to extract relevant information and apply that information to strategies for successful operations.

Problem-solving capabilities to identify complex problems, use critical thinking, logic, reasoning, and relevant information to evaluate options and develop appropriate, effective solutions.

Self-starter who will be a dependable strategic partner focused on work that builds a foundation of process and procedure, accomplishes routine responsibilities, plans for the future, and meets shared goals.

A life-long learner who is eager to maintain technical knowledge, establish professional networks, participate in industry-specific organizations, and attend conferences.

Personal integrity and ethics when dealing with confidential and sensitive information.

About Chautauqua Institution

Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities. Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conferencing, and events organization. The Institution’s office in Washington, DC is located strategically for an ongoing role in the cultural conversations of the nation.

Chautauqua Institution’s Program office establishes and leads programmatic vision, building programs, relationships, and partnerships that align with Chautauqua Institution’s Mission and strategic plan.

About Your Work Schedule & Location

This position is at Chautauqua Institution’s main campus in Southwestern New York (Chautauqua County). The position will be based on the main campus in Chautauqua, New York, but may require some travel.

The work schedule requires a full-time commitment of a minimum of 35 hours/week with the flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required. And a willingness to flex up in scheduled work hours (based on business needs)-particularly during summer seasonal operations.

Total Rewards for Our Talent

Compensation for this position starts at $90,000 - $105,000/annual. Chautauqua Institution’s competitive salary and benefits suite includes a national health insurance network with Highmark, flexible spend (or health savings) account options, dental and vision insurance, complimentary life insurance, wellness incentives, an employee assistance program, supplemental life insurance, and long-term disability options. The Institution supports planning for retirement through a discretionary employer retirement plan contribution, which has recently been (10%) of gross compensation following a designated service period.

About the Referral Program

Chautauqua Institution’s Referral Bonus Program is a talent solution to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that encompasses all the skills and experience necessary to deliver on our goals and objectives. Chautauqua Institution will provide a $500 referral bonus (less taxes) for active employees referring a new candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90 days from the first physical date of work. In the case of seasonal positions working less than 6 months, the new candidate must remain actively employed for at least 30 days from the first physical date of work and until the closing date of the season. The closing date of the season is the last Sunday in August.

There are countless ways that our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience. Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater. In addition to a traditional gate pass, employees and their families will receive full access to our current and historical programs online at CHQ Assembly.

Our Commitment to IDEA

Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority in our strategic plan, 150 Forward. One of our five core values is “The dignity and contributions of all people.” We are committed to creating conditions where everyone can engage as complete and valued participants in the Chautauqua experience. The Institution is an equal opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA.

Joining Our Talent Community

Join our talent community online at CHQ.org/employment. You are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at CHQ.org and view the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at 150fwd.CHQ.org.