Director of Production

Musical America; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra seeks a Director of Production to lead technical concert production for performances by the SLSO, ensembles, and external clients.

This role emphasizes music literacy, stagecraft, and union collaboration within a fast-paced setting at Powell Hall. The Director will oversee production budgets, coordinate with the Artistic Operations team, and ensure high-quality experiences for artists and audiences.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of technical concert production experience, including events with ensembles and hall operations.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience overseeing stage crew and contractors.
• Strong ability to read music and understand musical nuances as they relate to production.
• Familiarity with classical music and union regulations (IATSE Local 6).

Responsibilities

• Manage production details of events including internal and external performances and rentals.
• Supervise and lead the stage crew: hire, schedule, train, and evaluate performance.
• Determine stagehand requirements and submit weekly timesheets in coordination with teams.
• Maintain professional interactions with musicians, guest artists, and vendors; foster a collaborative environment.
• Oversee contracts and rider requirements for guest artists and non-classical projects.
• Serve as primary technical contact for external clients; prepare expense estimates and final billing.
• Coordinate equipment logistics for runouts and tours; staff accordingly.
• Participate in duty manager rotations and lead production-related meetings.
• Maintain meticulous records of equipment inventories and stage layouts, create stage plots in AutoCAD.

Skills

Musical knowledge

Leadership

Budgeting

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

AutoCAD

ArtsVision

Microsoft Office

Job description

REPORTS TO: Vice President of Operations

DIRECT REPORTS: Production Manager, Production Coordinator, Stage Crew (3 FT plus extras as needed)

POSITION SUMMARY:With the organization’s return to Powell Hall at the newly renovated and expanded Jack C. Taylor Music Center, the Director of Production presents a new opportunity to help shape the next chapter of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s performances and events for the SLSO, its ensembles, and external clients. This key member of the Artistic Operations team has a forward focus on the use of technology and production elements to consistently deliver exceptional experiences for artists, audiences and partners. The role demands a deep understanding of music and event production, including familiarity with classical music, expertise in technical concert production, and the ability to lead and collaborate effectively in a union environment. As a fast-paced, high-impact contributor, the Director of Production has outstanding planning and organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, and exceptional attention to detail. Success in this role is built on a foundation of strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills that foster a positive and productive environment through close collaboration with musicians, guest artists, colleagues, supervisors, clients, and vendors.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the production details of events, including activities of the SLSO’s resident ensembles (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Chorus, St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra), other internal constituent groups, non-orchestra presentations and hall rentals. Manage events outside of the Jack. C Taylor Music Center, such as local concerts, select Education/Community Partnerships and philanthropy events, ensuring the consistent implementation of SLSO production standards across events both internal and external.
• Supervise and lead the stage crew, including hiring, scheduling, training, performance evaluations, and ensuring adherence to collective-bargaining agreements with IATSE Local 6.
• In coordination with Production Team and Stage Manager, determine stagehand requirements for each event and relevant maintenance. Approve and submit weekly timesheets.
• Cultivate a positive and professional work environment among the stage crew and in all interactions with musicians, guest artists, co-workers, supervisors, customers, and vendors.
• Manage production needs and technical aspects of guest artist contracts and riders for non-classical projects.
• With support from the Production Coordinator, serve as the primary technical contact for external clients, ensuring their needs are met and technical and production requirements are fulfilled. Prepare expense estimates for rental contracts and final billing.
• In coordination with Vice President of Operations and Operations Manager, manage stage and equipment logistics for runouts and tours, including engaging coordinated equipment transportation. Staff runouts and tours as needed.
• Participate in a duty manager rotation, providing on-site and off-site support for rehearsals and concerts with other members of Production and Operations staff. Participate in and lead production-related meetings.
• In coordination with Production Manager and Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL) production staff, determine SLSO stagehand requirements for OTSL services and ensure successful execution of these requirements.
• Maintain meticulous records of equipment inventories, venue technical specifications, stage layouts, and other essential production information including creating and distributing stage plots using AutoCAD.
• Coordinate with Director of Media Production on projects, including audio and video capture.
• Create and administer technical production and relevant operational budgets, reviewing expenditures and providing updates for forecasting. Perform research for project-specific and operational budget preparation.
• Perform other duties as needed.

REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge

A strong musical background with the ability to read and understand music as it relates to event production. Familiarity with classical music is essential. Extensive knowledge of technical concert production and stagecraft, including sound, video, lighting, stage carpentry, rigging, and union regulations. Knowledge of PC network environment using Microsoft Office applications is also required, knowledge of Mac environment a strong plus.

Experience

5+ years of technical concert production experience with musical, stage and event production. 2+ years of supervisory experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Maintain a high level of professionalism and represent the SLSO with integrity. Highly developed interpersonal skills with an emphasis on communication and customer service. Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism at all times.
• Maintain fiscal responsibility and integrity in all budgeting and financial matters. Ability to work within budgetary constraints.
• Strong critical thinking skills. Ability to develop plans for the team and ensure execution of all needed deliverables (after developing an understanding of organizational direction and strategy).
• Self-starting with a drive to seek improvements in areas of direct responsibility and department processes.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Highly reliable and dependable.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook and Access. Aptitude for technology and IT systems such as ArtsVision.
• Valid Missouri Class E (for hire) driver’s license or other state equivalent with driving record acceptable by SLSO insurance company required.

The SLSO embraces a world in which every life is enriched through the power of music. We are committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion and access where employees can grow and thrive. The collective sum of our employees’ individual differences, experiences, knowledge, self-expression, and talent are represented in our culture, innovative spirit and the SLSO’s achievements. In recruiting for our team, we welcome candidates’ uniqueness