Director of Production

Square; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

AT&T Performing Arts Center seeks a Director of Production to lead the Production Department for all shows and events at the venues and on-campus/off-campus pieces. The role requires extensive collaboration across departments and oversight of a production staff to ensure high-quality technical results.

The successful candidate will oversee annual OPEX/CAPEX budgets, crew scheduling, and safety programs, while maintaining strong relationships with resident companies, vendors, and unions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in performing arts, arts management or equivalent experience.
• 5–7 years of experience in large-scale theatrical operations with hands-on and supervisory skills.
• Excellent leadership, organizational and negotiation skills; experience implementing union contracts.
• Comprehensive problem-solving skills in a dynamic, high-pressure environment.
• Excellent communication, multitasking and prioritization skills.
• Ability to read, draw and interpret site diagrams, location maps and plots.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Production Department, Patron Services & Events and others to achieve high-quality results in all technical aspects for a variety of events.
• Advance technical aspects of events as assigned and coordinate with producing tenants regarding local conditions, venue characteristics and available labor and equipment within contract terms.
• Evaluate crew and equipment requirements for events while considering budget and available center resources.
• Create and oversee annual production OPEX and CAPEX budgets and forecasts.
• Translate evaluations into cost projections, budgets, crew calls and purchase/rental orders.
• Identify, evaluate and implement processes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Production Department to optimize revenue and/or reduce expenses.
• Inform the Assistant General Manager of current issues facing the Production Department, IATSE and other daily operational issues.
• Support the Technical Director in determining yearly maintenance and inventory expectations and schedules, and securing time to perform.
• Ensure all necessary technical, production and department information for each event is accurately acquired and disseminated.
• Maintain a positive, productive relationship with IATSE and ensure proper interpretation of the contract.
• Communicate event and department needs at appropriate meetings.
• Delegate duties and ensure tasks are understood, supervised and accomplished.
• Recruit, hire and train full-time, part-time and temporary technical staff as required.
• Act as Manager on Duty as needed, supporting venue usage by resident or visiting companies, rental clients, third-party vendors and crew.
• Attend performance events to monitor quality and troubleshoot issues.
• Develop and implement Center policies and procedures.
• Attend continuing education as recommended by management.
• Participate in emergency management planning and preparedness.
• Complete and submit required documentation, including event reviews, expense reports, malfunction, incident and event reports.
• Report unsafe working conditions or practices to management.
• Develop safety initiatives based on industry best practices and guidance from OSHA, NFPA, etc.
• Commission staffing reviews and development through professional development and yearly reviews.
• Assist with producing and operating center-presented holidays, concerts and film festivals, coordinating budgets, equipment, staffing and day-of needs.
• Hold regular meetings with resident companies to ensure their needs are met.
• Ensure Center's core values are adhered to.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Live entertainment production

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Problem solving

Site diagrams

Windows software

VenueOps

Education

Bachelor's degree in performing arts

Tools

VenueOps

Tessitura

CAD/Vectorworks

ESTA/ETCP certifications

Job description

The AT&T Performing Arts Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non‑merit‑based factors. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Summary

Under general direction of the Assistant General Manager, the Director of Production supports the Production Department for all shows and events presented at the AT&T Performing Arts Center venues and ancillary spaces, as well as Center‑presented events off campus. This position leads a production staff and contributes to overall daily operations, requiring extensive collaboration with multiple departments.

Position Responsibilities

• Work with the Production Department, Patron Services & Events and others to achieve high‑quality results in all technical aspects for a variety of events.
• Advance technical aspects of events as assigned and coordinate with producing tenants regarding local conditions, venue characteristics and available labor and equipment within contract terms.
• Evaluate crew and equipment requirements for events while considering budget and available center resources.
• Create and oversee annual production OPEX and CAPEX budgets and forecasts.
• Translate evaluations into cost projections, budgets, crew calls and purchase/rental orders.
• Identify, evaluate and implement processes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Production Department to optimize revenue and/or reduce expenses.
• Inform the Assistant General Manager of current issues facing the Production Department, IATSE and other daily operational issues.
• Support the Technical Director in determining yearly maintenance and inventory expectations and schedules, and securing time to perform.
• Ensure all necessary technical, production and department information for each event is accurately acquired and disseminated.
• Maintain a positive, productive relationship with IATSE and ensure proper interpretation of the contract.
• Communicate event and department needs at appropriate meetings.
• Delegate duties and ensure tasks are understood, supervised and accomplished.
• Recruit, hire and train full‑time, part‑time and temporary technical staff as required.
• Act as Manager on Duty as needed, supporting venue usage by resident or visiting companies, rental clients, third‑party vendors and crew.
• Attend performance events to monitor quality and troubleshoot issues.
• Develop and implement Center policies and procedures.
• Attend continuing education as recommended by management.
• Participate in emergency management planning and preparedness.
• Complete and submit required documentation, including event reviews, expense reports, malfunction, incident and event reports.
• Report unsafe working conditions or practices to management.
• Develop safety initiatives based on industry best practices and guidance from OSHA, NFPA, etc.
• Commission staffing reviews and development through professional development and yearly reviews.
• Assist with producing and operating center‑presented holidays, concerts and film festivals, coordinating budgets, equipment, staffing and day‑of needs.
• Hold regular meetings with resident companies to ensure their needs are met.
• Ensure Center's core values are adhered to.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise Senior Production Manager, Production Manager, Assistant Production Manager and Technical Director.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in performing arts, arts management or equivalent experience.

Qualifications

• Five to seven years of experience in large‑scale theatrical operations with hands‑on and supervisory skills in multiple technical disciplines.
• Excellent understanding of live entertainment production processes for theatre, dance, concerts, etc.
• Exceptional leadership, organizational and negotiation skills; experience implementing union contracts.
• Comprehensive problem‑solving skills in a dynamic, high‑pressure environment.
• Excellent communication, multitasking and prioritization skills.
• Ability to read, draw and interpret site diagrams, location maps and plots.
• Capable of working at elevated heights (90ft+) and lifting more than 50lb.
• Proficient with Windows programs (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint); event‑based software such as VenueOps and Tessitura is a plus; CAD/Vectorworks and ESTA/ETCP certifications are a plus.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion; participation in and enforcement of COVID‑19 protocols.
• Available to work frequent long and varied hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Maintains appropriate appearance and dress required at all times.