The client is seeking a full-time Director of Production to help advance its artistic excellence, uphold safety standards, and steward all production activities in support of the company’s mission and long-term financial goals. The Director of Production is a member of the senior management team and oversees all staged productions, Resident Artist Program productions, outreach events, special events, and other events requiring production support. The role reports to the General Director and is responsible for participating in season planning and advising on productions, scheduling, and production planning impacts.
Key responsibilities include production stewardship, technical operations, and financial management. The Director of Production recommends, engages, and manages necessary technical personnel, oversees negotiations for set and costume rentals, and stewards the design process with directors, designers, and opera staff, including maintaining production rental records and setting rental rates and conditions. The role develops production budgets aligned with overall financial goals, creates production calendars and timelines, determines labor and material requirements, manages related expenses and purchases, and provides regular financial reporting to senior leadership. It also oversees technical, design, and logistical elements for productions and events, attends lighting sessions, technical rehearsals, and performances, serves as a liaison with relevant venues, and acts as the primary resource for stage safety and compliance with applicable industry regulations.
The Director of Production provides leadership across labor relations, facilities, and team culture. It leads negotiations of IATSE union agreements and supports collaborative relationships with unions with existing agreements, while overseeing warehouse and shop operations and contributing to facility management and equipment purchasing. The role fosters an inclusive, respectful, team-based problem-solving culture and collaborates with senior managers and staff to support outreach, fundraising, and special events at company headquarters. Requirements include at least 5 years of experience in director of production, production manager, or related opera production roles; demonstrated supervisory experience; ability to budget and run large-scale productions; strong communication, organization, and analytical skills; proficiency with MS Office and project management tools; experience working with union crews and collective bargaining agreements; experience with sound and lighting equipment; and the ability to lift and carry 25–50 pounds and work evenings and weekends. The role is full-time exempt with a flexible schedule, and an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent education and professional experience is expected.