Production Manager

Harvard University · Cambridge

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Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Production Manager reports to the Technical Director for college theater and oversees productions and related activities of the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club (HRDC), as well as undergraduate productions supported by the Office for the Arts and other special projects. The position manages main and black box stages and all disciplines of the production process. The Production Manager advises and mentors students on technical theater, design, production planning, and safe production practices; coordinates performance, rehearsal, and production-support spaces; and supervises production staff. The Production Manager works closely with students, directors, designers, professional staff, and other stakeholders to ensure that productions and projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and in alignment with established artistic and institutional standards.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Manage all phases and technical disciplines of the production process for HRDC and OFA-supported undergraduate productions. This may include planning, design development, construction, procurement, installation, load-in, technical rehearsals, performances, and load-out or strike.
• Coordinate production activities across scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, props, projections, and other technical or design areas required by each production.
• Develop and execute production strategies, schedules, and deadlines, ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and in alignment with established artistic standards.
• Advise and mentor undergraduate students on design, production planning, technical theater, and production processes.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among students, OFA, and program, facility, and operations staff, as well as other stakeholders, ensuring that production needs are understood and addressed across all disciplines.
• Remain up-to-date on rehearsal, technical rehearsal, and performance reports
• Oversee daily production operations associated with HRDC and OFA-supported undergraduate performances.
• Coordinate the scheduling and use of rehearsal, classroom, performance, shop, storage, and production-support spaces required for HRDC and OFA-supported undergraduate productions.
• Manage undergraduate production and rehearsal schedules in coordination with students, production staff, and other institutional stakeholders.
• Create schedules for nonperformance events requiring exclusive use of the venues.
• Process and respond to rehearsal, performance, and production-space requests related to HRDC and OFA-supported undergraduate productions.
• Prepare and distribute relevant space and production schedules on a regular basis.
• Coordinate access to scenery, lighting, sound, costume, prop, projection, shop, storage, and technical-support spaces required for undergraduate productions.
• Monitor the appropriate use of assigned rehearsal, performance, and production spaces.
• Coordinate production needs among undergraduate groups sharing venue spaces and resources
• Supervise a team of regular, contingent, and student staff supporting HRDC and OFA-supported productions across scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, props, projections, and other production needs.
• Coordinate, supervise, and train staff and students in the safe operation of theatrical, technical, and production equipment.
• Facilitate workshops and training related to production practices, equipment operation, and a safe and healthy working environment.
• Promote consistent safety practices across all production disciplines.
• Oversee production budgets associated with HRDC and assigned OFA-supported undergraduate productions, including purchasing activities and accurate financial record-keeping.
• Monitor production expenditures across scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, props, projections, and other production needs.
• Oversee production inventory, equipment maintenance, storage, and related resources across all technical and design disciplines.
• Coordinate the purchasing, rental, maintenance, and return of production equipment and materials as needed for production in the Loeb drama center and beyond.
• Advances outside rental events and special events
• Determines needs and coordinates production support and staff for rentals

• Working Conditions:
• The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs and objectives and consistent with College Policy, which requires 5 days on-site in Cambridge, MA during term time (first day of classes through commencement), with the exception of student breaks. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details about the College policy will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and five years of related experience.
• Management experience
• Ability and willingness to work a varied schedule including evening and weekends

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to work with students and staff of all backgrounds and skills.
• Experience coordinating multiple theatrical production disciplines.
• Working knowledge of scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, props, projections, and theatrical production processes.
• Experience maintaining community standards in a work environment.
• Excellent communication skills, judgment, and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a high-stress production environment.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

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