Chicago Shakespeare Theater · 1 week ago
Director of Production
Chicago Shakespeare Theater - Chicago, IL 60611
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$125K/yr - $135K/yr
15+ years expChicago Shakespeare Theater is seeking a Director of Production who will work closely with the Artistic Director to bring a full season of programming to life. This role involves providing innovative leadership to the Production departments, managing budgets, and ensuring effective communication among all production staff.
Performing Arts
Responsibilities
Oversee and lead the Production Departments and their staff and create a solution oriented, positive culture that supports the work of the directors and designers for each production as well as supports the work of other CST departments including education, development, and marketing/communications
Support the Artistic Director and participate in long range and season planning process
Attend and actively contribute to season planning meetings by suggesting creative teams and programming ideas and perspectives
Provide focus, prioritization, and context for production department managers in a landscape of multiple and concurrent commitments
Collaborate with Artistic Administrator in creating a welcoming and supportive environment and consistent onboarding of creative teams to the organization
Facilitate effective and productive design and production meetings, ensure deadlines are met and oversee the tech/production process
Coordinate effective communication among the directors, designers, creative teams and all members of production staff
Manage commercial transfers and CST national and international touring efforts
Engage with commercial producers and co-producing partners and ensure a positive experience with the production departments
Serve as the lead with IATSE, USA Scenic Artists, SDC as well as part of the negotiation team for all union agreements. Understand in detail the CBA’s for all unions to ensure CST creates and maintains a positive working relationship with all unions
Oversee and monitor the creation of schedules for building, production and presentation activities
Create the conditions for a safe working environment in all production and theater spaces. Ensure that necessary and appropriate stage safety training is regularly provided on schedule. Advise Executive and Artistic Director of possible risks or hazards
Implement a system of reviewing all production activities after each production or event and documenting lessons learned and how we can continuously improve in delivering productions in effective and efficient ways, including safety, timeliness, management of expenses, employee engagement, process improvement, and artist satisfaction
Create, maintain, and monitor a variety of complex production budgets and schedules that contribute to the fiscal health of the theater, including appropriate forecasting, maximizing efficiencies, and controlling costs
Oversee annual production budget, monitor expenses to ensure they stay within budget and provide timely updates of actual expenses and projections
Oversee the timely and complete scheduling of all stage production labor to ensure the most efficient use of staff
Oversee the accurate management of production payroll
Oversee the negotiations and contracting of design teams and directors and choreographers (scenic, props, costume, lighting, sound, other production support)
Develop and refine long-range staffing plans and long-range operating budget
Develop capital facilities and equipment needs plan for a future capital campaign including strategies for equipment upgrades and obsolescence planning
Oversee the development and solicitation of competitive bids for production and theater equipment, purchase/replacement, capital projects, and special vendor services. Make recommendations on best value or best pricing
Explore revenue opportunities for potential expanded production facilities and existing theater spaces; develop business plans with revenue and cost forecasting
Serve as a member of the senior leadership team and as a conduit for information between senior management and production staff
Attend full Board of Directors meetings as a member of senior staff
Proactively contribute to CST’s mission and values
Positively contribute to a supportive, respectful, inclusive work culture, creating a future where our theatre is a home for all people, reflective of our community
As a member of the leadership team, work some evenings and weekends as needed to attend Board meetings, opening nights, and community engagement events
Performs other related duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
A bachelor's degree with at least 15 years of progressive leadership experience in production management; preferably in large producing theaters
Experience in an organization engaged in multi-venue operations and organizational growth
Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively and collegially within a complex performing arts organization while affecting and leading change where needed
Experience overseeing multi-faceted operations and business in a fast-paced, public-serving institution
Demonstrated success in juggling multiple projects and competing priorities across multiple streams with attention to detail
Experience and success in advancing organizational inclusive strategies in a complex organization that includes a unionized workforce
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team and positive work culture
Exceptional relationship management skills to function as the primary liaison with creative teams, vendors, and staff
An ability to interact effectively with commercial producers, artists, donors, and a board of directors with tact, diplomacy and gravitas
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to initiate creative solutions for complex problems
Strong organizational, prioritization, time, and project management skills
Ability to demonstrate a deep commitment to advancing equity and inclusion
Negotiation, analytical, and research skills to interpret data, prepare conclusions and successfully negotiate terms and conditions of contracts and proposals that are in the best interest of the institution
Company
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
A Regional Tony Award recipient, Chicago Shakespeare Theater produces a year-round season—plays, musicals, world premieres, family productions, and theatrical presentations from around the globe—alongside nationally recognized education programming, each year serving tens of thousands of students, teachers, and lifelong learners.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase