Production Manager. HARGROVE - Lanham, Maryland

Encore Global; Seabrook, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Encore Global seeks a Production Manager to oversee medium to large exhibits, events, and installations. You will manage budgets, schedules, and CAD coordination, ensuring safety, on-time delivery, and alignment with creative goals.

The role spans multiple disciplines and requires leadership of junior staff and coordination with operations and event teams. Responsibilities include cost estimation, fabrication planning, and post-event reviews to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 3+ years in special events, theatre, exhibit, or entertainment related production management.
• Experience with estimating techniques, cost control and material pricing.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings; strong communication and software skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify production costs, develop budgets and submit to sales for proposals.
• Establish fabrication techniques based on design objectives and budget.
• Create realistic production timetables reflecting critical paths.
• Ensure CAD drawings are correct and complete.
• Procure subcontracted rentals and materials; issue purchase orders.
• Maintain information flow between departments throughout production.
• Develop on-site logistics plans for installation of fabricated items.
• Review production post-event to identify improvements and prevent recurrence of issues.

Skills

Reading technical drawings

Communication skills

Independent and team work

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

AutoCAD

Vectorworks

Microsoft Office

Estimating software

Project management software

Job description

Position Overview

The Production Manager is responsible for managing the production process, including the development and management of the budget and work breakdown structure from project inception through project closure. This position is responsible for ensuring the project is produced safely and structurally, on time and within budget. This is done in conjunction with achieving the creative objectives of the proposal, meeting Hargrove’s financial objectives, and maintaining Hargrove’s high-quality standards.

The Production Manager is responsible for producing medium to large projects across all disciplines: exhibits, events, experiential marketing, permanent installations, and tradeshows. This position also provides professional guidance to less-experienced members of the Production Management Department. This position reports to the Director of Production Management & CAD Engineering.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Identify the costs of producing the job, develop the budgets and submit costs to sales for proposal development.
• Establish fabrication and production techniques based on design objectives and budgetary constraints.
• Work with fabrication department lead and event manager to identify critical path for the successful fabrication of all custom scenic elements. Establish, publish, and manage a realistic timetable that reflects the critical path.
• Work with the CAD engineering department and fabrication lead to ensure all necessary CAD drawings are correct and complete.
• Produce all orders relating to the fabrication of custom scenic elements and distribute with approved drawings to appropriate departments.
• Facilitate solutions to production issues with the production staff that could lead to cost overruns.
• Maintain, with support from the event manager, the continuity of information flow between departments throughout the production process.
• Attend all job specific meeting and conduct any meetings necessary outside the defined workflow to facilitate the production process.
• Conduct site surveys as needed to verify accuracy of venue information.
• Write purchase orders for the procurement of subcontracted rentals or special materials.
• Work with fabrication during the production process and periodically review the status of work to maintain proposal, design, and budgetary objectives.
• Work with operations to develop an efficient on-site logistics plan for installation of all fabricated items.
• Ensure plan meets the budget objectives as well as achieves the high-quality standards established by the company.
• Review the production process post-event to identify successes and failures related to the production process and to offer solutions to prevent the same failures on future projects.
• Facilitate any post-production meetings and working with the event manager, ensure post-project information and documentation is distributed and included in the project folder.
• Must have ability to multi-task in fast-paced environment, competently handling demanding deadlines.
• Perform other duties as assigned and deemed necessary under the direction of the department supervisor.
• Occasional travel as needed.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 3+ years of experience in special events, theatre, exhibit, or entertainment related production management
• Experience in fabrication of scenery, exhibits, props, or permanent display installations
• Experience with estimating techniques, cost control and material pricing
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of current codes, production procedures and materials and installation methods unique to our business units
• Excellent professional written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with Hargrove personnel, venue staff and clients when needed
• Excellent working knowledge of Windows based computer systems and software including Microsoft Office, AutoCAD or Vectorworks, with the ability to quickly learn new job‑related software. Experience with estimating and project management software a plus
• Ability and initiative to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously

Competencies

Deliver World Class Service

• Hospitality
• Ownership

Do The Right Thing

• Demonstrates Self-Awareness

Drive Results

• Ensures Accountability

See The Big Picture

• Decision Quality
• Manages Complexity

Value People

• Collaborates

For more information on our Competency Group, refer to the Competency Based Talent Management page on Encore Connect by searching for the title or copy & pasting this URL Link (https://psav.sharepoint.com/sites/HR/SitePages/Competency-Supported-Talent-Management.aspx).

Work Environment

Office

Work is performed in both an office and manufacturing environment. Working times may include irregular hours and on-call status including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Team members must adhere to appearance guidelines as defined by Hargrove based in an office/manufacturing environment and when traveling, on an individual venue or a representation of venues in that city or area. Most work will take place in a climate-controlled environment. Surroundings at times can be chaotic, high energy, and noisy, with high traffic volumes, dusty, and exposure to manufacturing and weather conditions. Working times may include irregular hours and on-call status including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

The above information on this description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

Salary Pay Range: $70,371.00 - $91,482.00

The compensation offered for this role is determined based on the qualifications outlined in the job posting for the specified location. Final compensation is based on a number of factors including location, travel, relevant work experience, or particular skills and expertise. In addition, some positions may be eligible for other compensation such as potential overtime, bonuses or incentives.

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