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About the Department/Unit
The Department of Performing Arts, comprised of Arts Management, Audio Technology, Dance, Music, and Theatre/Musical Theatre, provides dynamic, connected, expressive, and fulfilling experiences for all of our majors, minors, and participating students.
Summary
The Managing Producer is a vital member of the senior staff in the Department of Performing Arts. Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Performing Arts, the Managing Productor will oversee production and events management for mainstage theatre, dance and music programming in the Katzen Arts Center, the Greenberg Theatre, and other venues across the academic year. The Managing Producer will assist in the planning and oversight for other events including academic colloquia, symposia or panels for all DPA programs (theatre, music, dance, arts management and audio technology).
Key responsibilities will include understanding technical and production needs and developing production processes, overseeing scheduling of production staff personnel, determining and allocating labor for technical staff and professional hires, managing external contracts and agreements, facilitating production communications and coordination, overseeing documentation process. For budget, the Managing Producer will work directly with the DPA Chair to create and oversee the annual season production budget. The Managing Producer will provide recommendations for annual equipment purchases and with technical staff, manage any equipment use or loans throughout the year.
Please respond to the required knowledge and critical skills items in your application cover letter.
Essential Functions
- Production and Events Management – Oversee all mainstage productions for theatre, dance, and music in the Katzen Arts Center, Greenberg Theatre, and other venues as required. Assist with small events for performance programs including academic colloquia, symposia, and panels to include Arts Management and Audio Tech programs. Lead production discussions and determine the technical requirements and production needs of each production or event. Oversee the production process and scheduling with Katzen and Greenberg staff.
- Personnel Management – Determine the staffing requirements for each production or event and manage all staff and contractors hired from the Production budget. Contract external personnel in collaboration with designers, technical personnel, and other contracted arts associated with each production. Facilitate all production communication and attend all regularly scheduled production meetings to ensure each production is adhering to the preestablished goals and budget.
- Budget Management – Coordinate with Directors, Chair, and Facility managers on the development of production budgets for each season. Oversee all expenditures to the Production budget to ensure expenses stay within parameters. Initiate and manage all external contracts required for productions in consultation with the CAS Dean’s Office. Provide production expense reports and projections to production leaders and Chair on a quarterly basis and otherwise as requested.
- Audio Visual and Technical Equipment Management – Coordinate the procurement of production materials and equipment. Coordinate the audio recording, production, and video documentation for productions and events as determined by the Chair. In coordination with Facility managers, research and respond to technical needs required for productions including recommendations for capital expenditures as recommended.
- Other Duties as required and assigned by supervisor.
Work Environment
- The worker normally performs their job in a plant, laboratory or other environment where personal protective equipment may be necessary.
- The worker may be required to work evenings and/or weekends.
- The worker occupies a physically demanding position which requires strenuous physical exertion such as frequent or constant lifting, pushing, and/or pulling of heavy objects in order to perform essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
- Full Time.
- Sr. Coordinator A.
- Exempt.
- This is a union-eligible position.
- Evening hours and some weekend work required during production technical rehearsal weeks.
- On occasion this position must be able to lift and carry objects weighting 20-30 lbs and use appropriate lifting, rigging, or buddy techniques to lift and/or move heavier objects.
Salary Range
- $61,609.00- $73,593/year, commensurate with experience.
Required Education and Experience
- A Bachelor’s degree is required in Performing Arts or a closely related field, and 4 years experiences as a professional or collegiate producer.
- Must have knowledge and understanding of technical operations of various performing arts forms and project management
- Ability to manage production process for multiple simultaneous projects including prioritization of activities, meet deadlines/timelines, respond to others in a timely manner, and working both independently and collaboratively with others
- Effective organizational time management, interpersonal communication, and leadership skills
- Ability to operate various computer software including Microsoft Office Suite and web communication platforms (Zoom, Skype, Teams), cloud storage/dropbox or similar
- Demonstrated knowledge of technical drawings and paperwork for lighting, scenery, and audio design for the oversight of production
- Working with patience, discretion, good judgement, courtesy, tact and kindness while working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and skills including staff, faculty, students, and contracted personnel.
- Ability to manage confidential information and working with a high standard of integrity and ethics
- Commitment to the educational mission and priorities of a broad-based performing arts program that includes facilitating and supporting student and faculty success in their creative practice work
Preferred Education and Experience
- Experience in multiple artistic forms/disciplines preferred.
- 1-3 years experience with college, university, or complex venues with multiple forms represented
- Working knowledge Event Management Systems (EMS), Vectorworks and other CAD software, Lighwright, QLab.
Benefits
AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University’s unique benefit options.
Union Eligibility
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500.
Other Details
- Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
- Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
- Please note this job announcement 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.
Current American University Employees
If you are a current employee at American University, please log into AsuccessfulU through the myAU portal. Once in AsuccessfulU, please select the Careers tile which will take you to our internal career page.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.