Professor of the Practice - Production Manager

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites applications for a fixed-term Professor of the Practice who will also serve as Production Manager for PlayMakers Repertory Company. The role includes leading production planning, budgeting, and scheduling for a six-show season and teaching two graduate classes per semester.

The position emphasizes collaboration across artistic, production, and administrative teams, with a focus on safeguarding safety standards and delivering high-quality

Qualifications

• Master of Fine Arts degree or other terminal degree from an accredited institution.
• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and substantial professional experience in theatrical production management may also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Production Manager for PlayMakers Repertory Company (PRC) with responsibility for production planning, scheduling, budgets, personnel, and technical operations.
• Teach two graduate Technical Production classes per semester.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the production activities of the Department and PRC, coordinating across season productions and special events.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, guest artists, and students to maintain a professional yet educational production environment.

Skills

Production management

Leadership

Communication

Teaching

Education

MFA or terminal degree

Bachelor’s degree with professional experience

Job description

Department:

Dramatic Art - 310200

Posting Open Date:

11/06/2026

Application Deadline:

01/04/2027

Open Until Filled:

No

Position Type:

Permanent Faculty

Working Title:

Professor of the Practice - Production Manager

Appointment Type:

Fixed Term Faculty

Vacancy ID:

FAC0006198

Full-time/Part-time:

Full Time

Hours per week:

40

FTE:

1

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range:

Dependent on Experience and/or Qualifications

Proposed Start Date:

07/01/2027

Be a Tar Heel!:

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

Established in 1936, we are the second oldest theatre department in the country. Our faculty members are both scholars and artists, teachers, and practitioners, constantly moving back and forth between the classroom and the theatre. PlayMakers Repertory Company (LORT D theatre) is embedded within the Department and the symbiotic relationship between the Department of Dramatic Art and PlayMakers Repertory Company, builds upon a more than one-hundred-year legacy. The Joan H. Gillings Center for Dramatic Art is the crucible where students transform learning into practice every day. Our mission is to educate students to think critically and write cogently about the creative and artistic processes of theatre, its literature, and its history.

Position Summary:

The Department of Dramatic Art at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks an experienced theatre professional for a fixed-term faculty appointment as Professor of the Practice who will also serve as Production Manager for PlayMakers Repertory Company and teach in the graduate Technical Production program.

The position provides leadership and oversight for the production activities of the Department and PlayMakers Repertory Company, whose annual season includes six mainstage productions as well as special events, working collaboratively with faculty, staff, guest artists, and students to support a professional production environment that also serves the educational mission of the Department. The Production Manager coordinates production planning and resources across the season, including production schedules, budgets, personnel, and technical operations, and facilitates communication and collaboration among artistic, production, and administrative teams.

As a member of the faculty, the Professor of the Practice contributes to professional expertise in the technical production program in their area of specialty. Responsibilities primarily include serving as the Production Manager for PRC’s annual season and teaching two (2) classes a semester in the graduate program.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Master of Fine Arts degree or other relevant terminal degree from an accredited institution. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and substantial professional experience in theatrical production management or a closely related area may also be considered.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Significant professional experience in theatrical production management, technical production, or a closely related area, preferably within a professional producing theatre, university theatre program, or similarly complex producing organization. Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple productions and production departments; developing and managing production schedules and budgets; supervising and mentoring students and/or professional staff; and facilitation of collaboration among artistic, technical, administrative, and production teams.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills; knowledge of current theatrical production practices and workplace safety standards; and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines within a collaborative production environment. Experience teaching and mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students is strongly preferred. Experience working within a professional theatre affiliated with an academic program, LORT theatre, or comparable producing organization is also preferred.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions:

At the time of application, candidates will be required to identify the names, titles, and email addresses of three professional references. Recommenders identified by the applicant will be contacted via the application portal with instructions for uploading their letters of support.