Production Manager

awe; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Crystal Bridges & The Momentary in Bentonville, AR seeks a Production Manager to support staff and artists, coordinating production needs for performing arts events and exhibitions. This hands‑on role requires night and weekend availability and a background in production technologies.

The incumbent will oversee event planning, calendars, and communications with artists, crews, and venues, while maintaining departmental systems and ensuring projects meet financial plans.

Qualifications

• BA in Music, Theater, or Production Technology preferred.
• High School Diploma required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including conflict resolution.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple tasks.
• Ability to adapt to changes calmly and professionally.
• Team player across the organization.
• Experience with production software and systems.

Responsibilities

• Act as Production Department's point‑of‑contact for internal and external events.
• Develop and manage the department's annual budget, ensuring projects stay on track.
• Oversee advancing of production for internal and external programs and events.
• Maintain Momentary Production Calendar and Momentous data input.
• Day‑of‑show contact for artists, crews, and vendors; coordinate with internal teams.
• Schedule event labor from AVL Technician pool with Assistant Production Manager.
• Perform stage and company management during rehearsals and performances.
• Maintain reports on advances, reconciliation, and end‑of‑show documents.
• Operate AVL equipment when necessary (sound, projection, lighting).
• Help develop departmental systems and SOPs.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Deadline management

Team player

Conflict resolution

Adaptability

Education

BA in Music, Theater, or Production Technology

High School Diploma

Tools

Vectorworks

CAD drawings

Digital audio mixing

Projection control

Wireless mic management

Job description

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time; and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a 'living room' where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a 'living room' where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. You belong here: make the most of this moment.

Job Description:

Position Title: Production Manager

Reports to: Director of Production

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Location: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site)

About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary:

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission.

The Momentary is a contemporary art space that opened to the public on February 22, 2020, in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a 'living room' where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful.

Position Summary:

The Production Manager provides support to staff and artists throughout Crystal Bridges and the Momentary by facilitating the production needs required to support or produce the performing arts offerings and events that will take place.

The Production Manager requires experience in coordination of a wide variety of events, a background in Production technologies, and is self-motivated desire to expand their knowledge of production in the fields of events and contemporary performing arts. This is a hands‑on management position and will require regular night and weekend availability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as the Production Department's point-of-contact for all internal and external events at Crystal Bridges and The Momentary and related campus events.
• Development and management of the department's annual budget, ensuring all projects adhere to approved financial plans and remain on track throughout the fiscal year. Work with programmers and agents to redline and approve production-specific requirements for touring acts.
• Have oversight and lead advancing of production needs for internal and external programs, and other small- to large-scale events such as concerts, lectures, culinary centered events, residencies, and dance performances.
• Maintain the Momentary Production Calendar and assist Director of Production with upkeep of other institutional systems such as data input in Momentous.
• Act as day-of-show contact for artists, crews, and vendors in addition to communicating with internal teams about the details of upcoming and immediate needs.
• Work in conjunction with the Assistant Production Manager to schedule event labor from a shared pool of AVL Technician
• Perform stage management and company management related tasks for rehearsals and performances
• Maintain detailed reports related to the Production department including advances, financial reconciliation, and end-of-show reports
• When necessary, operate AVL equipment, including sound, projection, and lighting equipment, for events
• Assist in the creation of departmental systems and standard operating procedures

Team Leadership:

• Establish clear expectations, priorities, and accountability measures to support effective team performance and achievement of departmental goals.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing team fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and growth.
• Promote continuous improvement, professional development, and collaboration within the assigned team to drive results and support organization priorities.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new team members to ensure alignment with organization standards and practices.
• Monitor and manage team performance, addressing attendance, conduct, or productivity issues promptly and professionally.
• Encourage employee engagement and morale through recognition and open communication practices.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs.

Qualifications and Skills:

• BA in Music, Theater, or Production Technology (Preferred)
• High School Diploma
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including conflict resolution skills
• Excellent organizational skills and a strong attention to detail
• Ability to calmly and professionally adapt to changes in plans or the environment
• Ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple tasks
• Simultaneously
• Ability and willingness to be a team player both within the department and throughout the entire organization
• General proficiency with production software and systems, including Vectorworks, CAD drawings, digital audio mixing consoles, wireless microphone management, projection control systems suc