Production Manager, Live and Theater Events

Mexican Heritage Plaza; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 89,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, CA seeks a Production Manager to oversee technical and logistical aspects of live events and theater productions. You will lead production staff, manage schedules, budgets, safety, and vendor relationships to ensure high-quality experiences.

The role requires strong leadership, coordination across departments, and the ability to translate creative concepts into practical plans; occasional remote work days are possible with manager approval.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Theater Production or related field.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with Google Suite, Dropbox, and events management software.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead and primary client contact for events and projects, overseeing IT, audio, video, lighting, rigging, staging, and projection.
• Ensure events are delivered on scope, on budget, and on time, aligning with client expectations and standards.
• Communicate value of MHP services and facilities; explain impact of changes on quality or cost.
• Provide post-event debriefs to leadership for process improvement.
• Assist Events and Production teams with curatorial tasks, talent booking, and admin support.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

Written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Theater Production/AV

Tools

Tripleseat

Google Suite

Dropbox

Job description

Production Manager, Live and Theater Events

Mexican Heritage Plaza San Jose, California, United States

About this position

The Mexican Heritage Plaza (MHP) is seeking a motivated Production Manager to oversee all technical and logistical aspects of live events, theater productions, and venue operations. This role ensures seamless execution from planning through strike, coordinating across departments, managing production schedules and resources, and leading diverse crews with confidence. The ideal candidate remains calm under pressure, resolves issues in real time, and translates creative concepts into practical production plans, with proficiency in budgeting, safety protocols, vendor coordination, and equipment maintenance. As MHP advances its strategic plan to activate vibrant community spaces and cultural programming, the Production Manager plays a key role in strengthening the infrastructure that supports this work.

Schedule: Expected to work onsite, but will have the flexibility for work-from-home days once a week or upon approval from the Manager.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
MHP envisions a world where creativity inspires compassion and vibrant communities. The organization’s mission is to catalyze creativity and empower the community. MHP is guided by the following values:

• LEADERSHIP: We believe that a shared leadership model is rooted in and informed by the individual as well as the collective, and we value the leadership held by all members of our team and community.
• VOICE: MHP will use its platform, institutional power, and influence to ensure that the hopes, needs, and concerns of the community we serve are seen and recognized.
• CREATIVITY: We believe in the transformative power of the arts. Creativity is the foundation of our humanity.
• HERITAGE : Heritage encompasses cultural traditions and foundations that groups share. We connect to our collective past experiences as they inform and help to define current contexts and future hopes. We celebrate our heritage even as we create new experiences.
• INCLUSION : Inclusion is a state of belonging. MHP believes that equitable access to resources ensures a thriving community. Therefore, the Mexican Heritage Plaza is open and welcoming to everyone.
• PLACE : The concept of place is broader than a single facility. As an anchor organization for East San Jose, the Mexican Heritage Plaza activates the vibrancy and celebration of our local community. We take pride in the richness and potential of our Eastside neighborhoods.
• SERVICE : MHP considers itself a servant of the community. We recognize that in order to inspire leadership, we must approach every interaction from a place of humility and respect.

With a dynamic staff, the MHP delivers unique classes, activates the Mexican Heritage Plaza (MHP) through community events, and offers cultural programs that embrace all, while rooted in the arts. Activating the MHP main campus and acquiring a new commercial property across the street will create opportunities for increased programming and community services. This expansion project will take place over the next several years, and MHP will continue serving local residents, engaging over 100,000 people annually in community events and arts experiences.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Staff Management and Capacity-Building

• Recruits, schedules, and supervises production staff to ensure the delivery of high-quality events.
• Ensures that all staffing schedules, timekeeping, attendance, meal and rest periods, overtime, and time-off practices are accurately administered in accordance with MHP policies and procedures, and promptly addresses or escalates concerns as appropriate.
• Identifies skill gaps and provides training opportunities to strengthen staff technical capacity.
• Sets clear expectations, evaluates performance, provides ongoing coaching and feedback, addresses performance issues as appropriate, and supports professional development to build a highly effective and adaptable team.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Production, Project, and Event Management

• Serves as the technical lead and primary client contact for assigned events and projects, overseeing areas including IT setup, audio, video, lighting, rigging, staging, furniture setup, and projection.
• Ensures that all events are delivered on scope, on budget, and on time, aligning technical execution with client expectations and MHP’s quality standards.
• Clearly communicates the value of MHP’s services and facility offerings, including how any changes may affect event quality or cost.
• Provides post-event debriefs to supervisors and leadership as needed to support ongoing process improvement.
• Assists the Events and Production teams with curatorial tasks, talent booking, and administrative support as needed.

Operations, Budget and Resource Management

• Implements processes and procedures to strengthen departmental organization, including systems for document storage and workflow management.
• Develops and monitors production budgets and manages departmental resources to support operational and event needs within approved budgets.
• Coordinates and oversees contractors and vendors, including defining scopes of work, monitoring performance and deliverables, and ensuring services are completed in accordances with agreements, timelines, budgets and MHP standards
• Coordinates with appropriate departments on contractor/vendor selection, agreements, purchasing, invoicing, and other administrative requirements.
• Oversees the Production Department’s equipment inventory, including acquisition, maintenance, repair, and replacement planning.
• Identifies equipment and resource needs and recommends purchases, repairs, replacements, and other investments based on operational priorities and available budgets.

Client Stewardship and Customer Service

• Prospects new and returning clients, negotiates service elements, and maintains strong client relationships throughout event planning and execution.
• Collaborates with Events and Production teams to assess project feasibility, set clear expectations, and deliver accurate scopes of work, quotes, and invoices in a timely manner.
• Maintains a proactive approach to keeping events on scope, on budget, and on schedule, identifying gaps and proposing solutions when needed.

Software and Systems Management

• Manages the department’s use of Tripleseat event management software to document client communications, scopes, timelines, and internal workflows.
• Trains staff on Tripleseat best practices and ensures the system is used consistently to support efficient event operations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Theater Production, Technical Theater, AV Systems, or related degrees.
• Strong organizational abilities, including project management, planning, and event management.
• Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong written and public speaking communication skills.
• Experience with Google Suite, Dropbox, and events management software.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Some proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator; and working knowledge of Canva for teams, as well as OBS.
• Conversational proficiency in Spanish.
• Commitment to the importance and values of community development and empowerment.
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness of the unique challenges and opportunities of the East San Jose community.
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Ability to work collaboratively with organizations in the Mayfair Neighborhood.
• An optimistic and collaborative work style.
• Comfort with a high-paced, multi-tasked work environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift and carry equipment such as speakers, lighting fixtures, staging platforms, and furniture, typically up to 50 lbs, and to team-lift heavier items
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and climb (including ladders and step stools) for extended periods during load-in, show, and strike
• Ability to work at heights (e.g., rigging, lighting grids, catwalks) using appropriate safety equipment
• Manual dexterity and physical coordination to operate audio, video, lighting, and rigging equipment safely
• Ability to work extended and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, during event and production schedules
• Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including outdoor events, loud noise levels, and limited climate control during setup/strike
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to monitor technical cues, safety conditions, and equipment operation during live events
• Ability to travel occasionally to off-site venues and vendor locations
• Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role

The pay range for this role is:
89,000 - 95,000 USD per year(San Jose)