Director of Production

Director of Production

As a member of the Hylton Performing Arts Center's senior leadership team, the Director of Production provides executive-level strategic leadership, operational direction, and organizational oversight for all production and technical services across a complex, multi-venue performing arts center. This position is responsible for aligning production systems, staffing structures, and technical capabilities with institutional priorities, artistic excellence, and revenue-generating activities, serving as the Center's primary authority on production strategy, infrastructure planning, and operational performance. The Director of Production plays a critical role in:

• Driving institutional excellence in production delivery;
• Advancing revenue growth through rentals and partnerships;
• Leading capital planning and lifecycle management of technical systems; and
• Ensuring HPAC remains a competitive, innovative, and nationally recognized performing arts venue.

This position requires availability for evening, weekend, and occasional holiday work.

Responsibilities include:

• Directing, developing, and mentoring a complex, multidisciplinary production team (lighting, audio, carpentry, stage management, video) supervising 6 FTE, 4 indirect reports, and a 20+ wage workforce;
• Establishing, evaluating, and optimizing organizational structures, staffing models, and workflows aligned with institutional strategy;
• Developing, tracking, and managing comprehensive production budgets, including permanent labor, operating expenses, equipment rentals, and capital improvements;
• Ensuring full fiscal accountability and return on investment;
• Overseeing overhire workforce strategy, contract execution, and payroll administration in compliance with institutional and labor standards;
• Managing vendor relationships, procurement strategy, and technical purchasing processes;
• Serving as the senior production leader, aligning facility capabilities with university, artistic, and community priorities; and
• Fostering a collaborative, inclusive, service-driven, and safety-focused culture.

Production excellence and stakeholder engagement include:

• Providing executive-level oversight for all technical production activity across multiple venues and event types;
• Leading all production advancement strategy, including interpretation and execution of complex technical riders;
• Translating artistic and technical requirements into fully executable, resource-efficient production plans;
• Ensuring seamless delivery in venues with advanced production systems, including large-scale rigging and theatrical infrastructure;
• Maintaining proactive communication and alignment across production staff, administrative leadership, academic departments, and external clients and partners;
• Serving as the final escalation point for high-risk or complex production and personnel issues; and
• Conducting contract and rider review ("redlining") to ensure compliance with university and Commonwealth requirements.

Facilities, equipment, and safety management include:

• Leading long-term capital planning and lifecycle management of technical systems and production infrastructure;
• Partnering with facilities and campus leadership on preventative maintenance strategy and execution;
• Ensuring compliance with OSHA, ESTA/ANSI, and industry safety standards; and
• Mitigating institutional risk through rigorous safety oversight and compliance practices.

Required qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Generally, ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in technical production or live event management within a major performing arts center, academic presenting organization, or comparable multi-venue environment;
• Demonstrated experience operating within a multi-venue facility, including spaces exceeding 1,000+ seats and concurrent event management;
• Proven experience managing large-scale productions across multiple technical disciplines (lighting, audio, video, rigging, carpentry, and stage operations);
• Generally, a minimum of five (5) years of experience managing full-time staff, indirect reports, and part-time/hourly workforce;
• Direct responsibility for departmental budgets, including labor, overhire payroll, and operational expenditures;
• Demonstrated expertise in production advancement, contract interpretation, and execution of complex technical riders and negotiation;
• Knowledge of advanced theatrical production systems across multiple disciplines;
• Advanced operational knowledge of counterweight and motorized fly systems (75+ line sets), digital audio networks (Dante/AVB), and advanced theatrical lighting systems and protocols;
• Skill in leading large, multidisciplinary production teams in complex environments;
• Skill in financial management, budgeting, and resource planning;
• Exceptional interpersonal and diplomatic communication skills with ability to work effectively across diverse stakeholder groups;
• Ability to align production operations with strategic, financial, and institutional goals;
• Ability to manage high-pressure, multi-event environments, and resolve complex issues;
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders; and
• Proven ability to serve as the final escalation authority in high-risk, time-sensitive environments.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Master's degree in related field;
• Experience with large-scale counterweight rigging systems and fly systems in proscenium theaters;
• Experience integrating production with academic programs, including student engagement and experiential learning;
• Experience with venue management software, scheduling systems, and production databases;
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures, including HR, procurement, and compliance requirements;
• Advanced knowledge of concert hall acoustics, orchestral production, and touring production standards;
• Advanced knowledge of strategic planning and operational alignment within complex performing arts or multi-unit environments;
• Knowledge of cost recovery, procurement practices, and revenue-generating venue operations;
• Knowledge of multi-venue operations and varied event types across presenting, academic, and rental activity;
• Advanced knowledge of safety standards and regulatory practices (e.g., OSHA, rigging, electrical systems);
• Knowledge of production management systems, scheduling tools, and technical databases;
• Skill in long-range planning, including capital planning, equipment lifecycle management, and long-term infrastructure strategy;
• Skill in leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, including full-time and part-time workforce models;
• Skill in supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and integration with academic programs;
• Skill in communicating complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences;
• Ability to evaluate and implement emerging production technologies, including hybrid and streaming systems;
• Ability to make data-informed decisions regarding resource allocation and investment priorities;
• Ability to represent the organization as a senior production authority in high-level artist and client engagements;
• Ability to develop staffing strategies and foster a collaborative, inclusive, high-performance culture;
• Ability to implement and maintain comprehensive safety and risk mitigation programs;
• Ability to lead adoption of technology-driven workflows and operational innovation;
• Ability to build consensus, resolve conflict, and influence decision-making at senior levels; and
• Demonstrated ability working with a diverse population of artists, students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Instructions to applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Director of Production at Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.