Production Manager (Project-Based Role)

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Meow Wolf opens portals of possibility. Come as you are!


We are individuals who inspire creativity in people's lives through art and exploration, so that our combined imaginations can transform the world we live in. We create immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences into fantastic realms of story and exploration. Our Vision is to be the world's leading creative company, reimagining the paradigm of art and storytelling, to make a positive difference in the world.


We share a strong commitment to Belonging through our values of:

• Collaborative Creativity : We believe the act of creating together amplifies possibilities.
• Provocative Playfulness: We celebrate the unexpected because it is the doorway to discovery.
• Outsiders Welcome: We are all outsiders at heart, and we create space for everyone to feel like they belong.
• Authentic Compassion: We are "kind punks" - supportive to each other and standing up for what we believe in.
• Audacious Courage: We have the courage to radically reinvent ourselves to push the boundaries of art.

If this all sounds like YOU, read on....


Job Description:

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Job Disclosures:

Project-Based Role: This is a project-based position with an anticipated duration of 2+ years

Location: (On-site) Santa Fe, NM

Job Summary:

The Production Manager works in a fast paced, creative environment as an invaluable asset to the Creative Studios division of Meow Wolf. This person will serve as a direct manager to ~10-12 team members, as well as provide production-focused leadership during the design, planning, and execution phases of a project.

During the phases of Concept through Design Development on a project, the Production Manager will help manage the mockup scope and gain valuable insights before production begins. Once production begins, the Production Manager will direct timelines, work assignments, and major tool scheduling to complete our team's production scope. As well, this person will oversee the budgets assigned to the production of projects and will provide monthly reports to Project Leadership. The total scope and budget that an individual Production Manager will be responsible for managing will be
The Production Manager will also lead the documentation efforts needed for handoffs to Operations teams and local governance such as Fire Inspectors. The Production Manager will provide ongoing feedback and mentorship to members of their production teams and contribute to the overall development of the AD&P department.


The Production Manager must be calm under pressure and have experience working on small to large projects with a diverse team. Most importantly, they must be flexible in finding creative solutions to production issues as well as resolving conflict in interpersonal communications.

This role requires an extremely capable and fast-paced individual who can not only maintain the current culture and processes but help develop and refine our systems as we scale.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a functional leader to ~10-12 AD&P members, as well as a short-term team leader for mixed-talent production teams within the Artistic Development & Production (AD&P) Team. Functional management responsibilities include time tracking, managing PTO, hosting performance reviews, hiring recommendations, team member advocacy, and facilitating HR discussions for the Production Manager's direct reports.
• Work with Production Directors to understand and establish goals, timelines, and build plans for internal project work performed by AD&P.
• Manage a selection of production projects within the department's overall delivery scope, owning the timeline and material spend for each project.
• Manage workflow through shared department resources, such as the Paint Booth, Laser Cutters, and Vacuum Former.
• Work closely with Sr. Director of Design & Production and Production Directors to establish project build sequencing and a work breakdown structure for each in-house build.
• Contribute to project staffing decisions for internal AD&P build teams, taking into account the talent needed to complete a project and the desire for all team members to develop new skills.
• Help the build team meet its deliverables by the agreed end date or labor limit and stick to the agreed budget.
• Serve as a side-by-side mentor to the active build team, aiming to build the skills, advise on safe working practices, and raise the professionalism of the members of the build team.
• Identify conflicts that may arise during a build, whether technical or personal, and work with the involved parties to find resolution.
• During a build, provide regular completion status and spend updates to our management team.

• The Production Manager will have the final say on an internal project's build quality and durability. If quality concerns arise, the Production Manager will work with the build team to guide any reworks necessary to get the build to an acceptable level of completion.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• 1+ years working in art administration or production management
• 1+ years interfacing directly with creatives
• 1+ years experience as a personnel supervisor
• Experience with the creation of permanent art installations or exhibitions
• 3+ years experience in permanent exhibition design, fabrication, and artistic production is required
• Experience leading production teams
• Experience with shop tools and machine maintenance
• Familiarity working with wood, metal, plastics, and general assembly
• Able to interpret shop drawings for production
• Experience with 3D printing, CNC operations, laser cutting, and welding
• Experience in fastener selection and specification
• OSHA 10 certification
• Design and Production knowledge

Work Environment and Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required.


Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and scanners. This position also works in an indoor setting with exposure to noisy environments, dim lighting, strong visual effects including strobing lights, special effects, fog machines and small and/ or enclosed spaces.


Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Physical ability to walk, stand, take stairs/slides/elevators, and navigate the elements during the day and night. Employee may be required to remain in a sitting or standing position for prolonged periods, and repeat motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will routinely use respirators in the presence of any dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gasses, smokes, sprays, or vapors. Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds at times.

The employee will comply with company and OSHA standard workplace safety protocols. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 9a.m. to 5 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does require supervisory responsibility.

Travel:

This position will require some travel (10%-25%)

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.


IMPACT: Meow Wolf is committed to our DIY roots and grassroots community support principles. To document that commitment, we converted our legal designation into a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation and have certified as a B Corporation. As a B Corp, we have a triple bottom line of supporting financial, social and environmental wellbeing in our community.

INCLUSION : Meow Wolf is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to ensuring all employees enjoy and thrive in a work environment where differences make us the vibrant, wonderful community we are! All employment decisions at Meow Wolf are based on business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, service in the military or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

BENEFITS:

The choices we make concerning our benefits during enrollment periods are among the most important we select for ourselves and our families. As part of the total compensation package for full-time employees, Meow Wolf offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes various options to meet individual healthcare and financial needs along with many perks.

• Medical Insurance options: PPO & HDHP*
• Dental and Vision Insurance*
• HSA, HRA, and FSA options*
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Company paid Life Insurance Policy and Disability Coverage(s)*
• Voluntary Critical Illness and Life Insurance Policies*
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave for 12 weeks
• Discount off Meow Wolf Gift Shop Merch and Cafes
• Admission to Meow Wolf attractions for employees and guests

*Regular or Project Based Full-time positions

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