Director of Production - The Atlanta Opera

The Atlanta Opera is forging ahead through challenging times stronger than ever. We are committed to reimagining opera in every way as an inclusive artform reflective of our time and communities. Atlanta is a diverse city of vibrant cultures that embrace a broad spectrum of arts. As a collaborative art partner we seek to strengthen the cultural tapestry of our city through artistic innovation, cultural exchange, artistic collaboration, and community partnerships. This is an exciting time for arts in Atlanta.



We are an organization of unique and dedicated individuals that enjoy working together to share our art with the community. We’re looking for an imaginative, innovative, courageous, and collaborative leader to harness the vast creative energy of our production team, a group of brilliant and dedicated professionals. The perfect fit will be a born leader with a healthy balance of creativity, accountability, courage, shrewdness, discipline, and empathy. We are a family and we seek a long-term investment.



SUMMARY

The Director of Production reports directly to the General & Artistic Director with a dotted line to the Managing Director, and as a member of the senior management team oversees all Production staff, facilities, projects, and initiatives. Provides strategic leadership for the department in pursuit of its artistic and financial goals and oversees the daily operations associated with producing opera. An integral part of senior leadership and will partner closely with the General and Artistic Director and Managing Director to guide organizational strategy. The Director of Production is a key member of the company’s senior management team (SMT).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGY

• Participate in the ongoing strategic planning process as an integral member of the leadership team.

• Engage in short- and long-term planning for all artistic opportunities within the organization.

• Strive for production and operational innovation while maintaining excellent production quality.

• Implement strategic priorities and goals for the Production Department.

• Inform the Senior Management Team regarding production issues and trends.

PRODUCTION

• Production:

o Plan, coordinate, resource, and timely execute production deliverables for all production projects, including mainstage, discoveries, community engagement, digital programming, and ancillary programming.

o Oversee Production administration, technical production (i.e., scenery, props, costumes, lighting, projections, audio), venues, and production personnel.

o Attend rehearsals and performances to troubleshoot problems and act as a liaison between production personnel and artistic and administrative staff.

• Planning:

o Identify, recommend, and secure sets, props, and costumes for selected rep.

o Work with SMT to plan season rep, creative teams, production details, and budgets

o Identify and arrange for any production related rental equipment

o Arrange for insurance coverage for any production related rentals and equipment.

• Staffing:

o Staff and contractors: Recommend staffing needs for budgeting, help HR to identify and engage qualified full-time and seasonal staff as needed, engage production department contractors as needed and contemplated by the budget, supervise all production staff and contractors.

o Union: Build and maintain relationships with union locals, manage union crews, labor costs, disputes, and terminations.

• Documents:

o Contracts: Negotiate and implement all production agreements, including designers, rentals, co-productions, shipping, independent contractors, union CBAs. Secure necessary rights and visas for production activities.

o File Storage: ensure efficient and organized file storage for all production files.

• Financial:

o Work with Finance to forecast production budgets and cash flow monthly.

o Maintain continuous awareness of departmental expenses.

o Prepare general ledger detail for budgets and cash flow.

o Process and approve all production payment requests.

• Scheduling:

o Coordinate annual production schedules, build schedules, load in/out schedules, rehearsal schedules, tech schedules, and daily theatre schedules for all production related crews.

o Rental Program: Market, negotiate, and administer the rental of Atlanta Opera Production Assets to achieve revenue goals.

• Communication/culture:

o Leadership: Keep leadership informed of production department strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, challenges, and morale.

o Departmental: Establish a departmental culture of open communication, collaboration, and accountability.

o Interdepartmental: Assess and communicate production related needs with appropriate departments and encourage collateral collaboration between departments.

o Globally: Facilitate communication and material dissemination between production teams.

• Facilities:

o Oversee maintenance, staffing, scheduling, leasing, and payments for all production facilities including the rehearsal hall, the scenic studio/warehouse, and performance venues.

o Ensure the proper maintenance and storage of all production materials, equipment, vehicles, and instruments.

• Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to lead and manage diverse group of creative thinkers to achieve common goals.

• Excellent written and oral communication and problem-solving skills.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently.

• Ability to deliver high-quality work and achieve results in a timely manner.

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.

• Ability to identify best practices and implement institutional change to increase efficiency.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• A minimum of two years’ experience in top level production administration.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

• Proficiency with architectural drafting and/or computer aided drafting.

• Familiarity with OSHA safety regulations.

• Position requires evening and weekend obligations during the opera season.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

• Knowledge of opera (preferred).


Salary: $100,000