Theater Director/Project Manager

Nexreq; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexreq in California seeks an experienced project manager to lead cinema technology and construction projects from concept through handover.

You will coordinate architects, engineers, general contractors, vendors, and internal teams while managing budgets, schedules, and quality. Travel about 10% to project sites; strong communication and leadership are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• 10+ years hands-on project management experience on technical/construction/AV cinema projects.
• Experience managing projects from planning through turnover.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with scope, schedule, budget and quality.

Responsibilities

• Manage entire project lifecycle from concept to handover.
• Lead kickoff meetings with Exhibitors, GCs, Architects, Engineers, vendors and stakeholders.
• Serve as primary contact for communications, coordination, scheduling and inquiries.
• Oversee theater design and review architectural, construction, AV and MEP drawings.
• Coordinate procurement, logistics, installation, testing and commissioning.
• Lead weekly status meetings with schedules, milestones, risks and budgets.
• Maintain documentation, reports and closeout records; ensure on-time closeout.
• Travel to project sites approximately 10%.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Vendor coordination

Construction management

Cinema/AV technology

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Project scheduling software

Job description

• Manage the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept and site selection through installation, commissioning, grand opening, and final handover.
• Partner with Business Development, Theater Design, and Exhibitor teams to evaluate and select new Premium Format locations.
• Lead project kickoff meetings with Exhibitors, General Contractors, Architects, Engineers, vendors, and other project stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for project communications, coordination, scheduling, and technical inquiries.
• Oversee theater design activities and conduct detailed reviews of architectural, construction, AV, and MEP drawings.
• Identify design conflicts, technical risks, scheduling issues, and installation challenges before they impact project execution.
• Manage procurement, equipment delivery, logistics, installation, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Coordinate subcontractors, vendors, installation teams, and other project partners to ensure successful execution.
• Lead weekly project status meetings and provide clear updates regarding schedules, milestones, risks, budgets, and outstanding action items.
• Track project schedules, deliverables, change orders, costs, and dependencies to ensure projects remain within scope, budget, and timeline.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, reports, schedules, meeting notes, and closeout records.
• Conduct site visits as required to monitor construction progress, installation readiness, and project quality.
• Ensure a smooth project closeout and transition to the Service and Operations teams.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining strong attention to quality, deadlines, and customer expectations.
• Travel to project sites as required, approximately 10%.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field.
• 10+ years of hands-on project management experience managing complex technical, construction, AV, cinema, or related projects.
• Proven experience managing projects from planning and design through installation, commissioning, and final turnover.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining scope, schedule, budget, and quality requirements.

Technical Qualifications

• Strong experience with cinema technology, professional audio-visual systems, projection systems, theater technology, or related entertainment technology environments.
• Strong understanding of architectural drawings, construction documents, floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, elevations, and technical drawings.
• Working knowledge of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems and their interaction with AV and cinema technology installations.
• Solid understanding of commercial construction methods, sequencing, site coordination, and installation practices.
• Experience coordinating with architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and equipment manufacturers.
• Ability to identify potential design, construction, infrastructure, and installation conflicts before they affect project delivery.
• Experience with procurement, logistics, equipment deployment, installation, commissioning, and project closeout.Strong project planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate internal and external project resources.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in fast-paced project environments.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing deadlines and responsibilities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality projects.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Communication Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience preparing detailed project reports, schedules, meeting documentation, technical correspondence, and executive updates.
• Comfortable leading project meetings, design reviews, vendor discussions and construction coordination meetings.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and related project documentation tools.
• Experience with project scheduling, construction management, drawing review, or collaboration software is highly desirable.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas will be strongly preferred:

• Movie theater construction or renovation
• Cinema projection and audio systems
• Commercial AV integration
• Entertainment technology
• Architectural and MEP coordination
• Large-scale technology installations
• Construction project management
• Theater design and commissioning

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced project leader who enjoys combining technology, construction, design, and client management to create world-class cinema experiences.