Assistant Production Manager

Assistant Production Manager

Join our community and experience Emerson College! The Assistant Production Manager is a 10 month role, reporting to the Production Manager, Emerson Stage. A key member of the Emerson Stage management and production team, Assistant Manager will work alongside the production department, faculty and performing arts students. The Assistant Production Manager will coordinate the technical and logistical elements of theatrical productions as well as provide oversight of the Emerson Stage staff. The Assistant Production Manager will deliver on scheduling, departmental communication, budget tracking, student mentoring and ensuring production timelines are met during the design and production process. In the absence of the Production Manager, the Assistant Production Manager will be responsible for carrying out the Production Manager's duties.

Essential Job Duties

• Execute the vision of Emerson Stage's leadership, ensuring mutual respect and clear and consistent communication between Emerson Stage staff, faculty and students
• Schedule and supervise load-ins, load-outs and tech week in conjunction with Technical Director and Production Manager to ensure safety and oversight of student labor
• Independently make decisions during load-ins, load-outs and technical rehearsals in the absence of the Production Manager
• Lead on all production and staff meetings in the absence of the Production Manager
• Develop, track and maintain production budgets in consultation with the Director of Theatre Operations and Production Manager
• Implement design deadlines and deliverables, verifying designers meet those deadlines to stay on schedule with designs and the production schedule
• Generate and distribute production documents including rehearsal, production and technical schedules, calendars, and contact lists
• Oversee the student production management assistants in conjunction with the Production Manager
• Mentor student designers throughout the design process and oversee management of their budget, deadlines and communication
• Mentor production and stage management students throughout the pre-production and production process
• Ensure interdepartmental collaboration between departments and allocate resources they may need in preparation for builds and rehearsals
• Serve as a key collaborator in connecting the designers, technicians and management through all Emerson Stage processes
• Coordinate weekly staff meetings with Emerson Stage staff and serve as a representative of Emerson Stage in larger Performing Arts department-wide meetings, as needed
• Guide production engineers with equipment rental scope, securing bids, negotiation and delivery
• Approve production expenses, weekly payroll and overtime in consultation with the Production Manager.
• Maintain safe and healthy working conditions in rehearsal halls, shops, and performance spaces, ensuring compliance in accordance with college's safety policies and industry professional practices, and when necessary, troubleshoot with full autonomy
• Perform other duties, as required

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in theatre production, stage management or related field required; Master's degree in similar fields preferred
• 3-5 years of experience working in theatre production and/or live events required with 1-3 years in a supervisory or management role
• Experience working in an educational setting, specifically mentoring Stage Managers and/or Production Managers at the college level required. Experience in a professional role where mentorship was a responsibility will also be considered.
• Experience managing, instructing and supervising production teams required
• Experience overseeing theatrical load-ins and load-outs and complying with industry safety standards (i.e.: OSHA)
• Experience working with artistically oriented individuals required
• Experience with budget creation and tracking preferred
• Experience working with drafting, lighting and sound softwares including CAD, Vectorworks and QLab is preferred
• Experience in a wide range of artistic performance media is preferred (Theatre, Opera, Dance, Immersive, Tours, Events, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with this job.

• Knowledge of production, safety protocols and procedures that are aligned with industry standards
• Ability to comprehend and assess technical designs and drawings required
• Ability to understand, enjoy, and communicate effectively with academic-oriented individuals
• Enthusiasm for collaborating with college-aged individuals
• Strong communication, organization and time management skills
• Strong oral and writing skills
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft and Google Suites
• Knowledge of scheduling software and tools
• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects
• Ability to prioritize goals and implement plans
• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills
• Be willing and enthusiastic to assist others and work in a team setting
• Familiarity with production processes (scenic, lighting, costumes, sound, and stage management) required; Familiarity with projections is a plus
• Familiarity with professional unions including Actors Equity, IATSE, AGMA and/or professional affiliations like USITT is preferred

Physical Abilities Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Work involves lifting equipment, working with power tools and operating theatrical machinery such as fly systems and chain motors
• Work is performed in a theatre environment requiring occasional on-call availability
• May occasionally work in a confined space or at heights
• Ability to transport equipment within each theater and between theater spaces

Work Environment Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Working in various theatrical spaces front of house and backstage, in the production shops (Scene shops, props warehouse, light lab, costume shop) and a studio environment; conditions will vary depending on the show and phase of the production
• Office setting

Compensation and Pay Schedule

This is a 10 month position paid over 10 months. The prorated salary is $49,042.00 to $60,125.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Employment Category

This is a Casual position, not to extend beyond 36 months.

In-Office Expectations

This position is primarily a hybrid role with expected days in the office each week. The hybrid arrangement will be made upon hire. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the Boston campus to ensure operational effectiveness. This arrangement must be approved as outlined in the Remote Work Policy.