The Production Department of The Metropolitan Opera is responsible for all production and technical details related to the development and creation of opera productions and the performance of grand opera in repertory on the Met stage. The Production Department also oversees the operation and maintenance of the Metropolitan Opera stage and shop machinery, and offsite warehouse and storage operations. The Met production facilities include construction, electric, scenic, and costume shops, as well as in-house design and engineering studios.
The Director of Production Infrastructure and Planning is responsible for the planning and execution of the Production Department's capital improvement projects, and the development of infrastructure systems and safety protocols, all in support of the performance of opera on the Met stage. This role will take the lead on long-term strategic planning for the advancement of the Met's production capabilities and manage the department's key vendor relationships. This is a new role requiring flexibility to develop with the needs of the department.
Primary Responsibilities- • Responsible for the development of a long-term capital improvement plan and the execution of production capital projects:
- Ongoing assessment of the Met's stage equipment and machinery
- Prioritization of the department's capital needs and development of a capital master plan including creation of project timelines in coordination with the technical team and organization-wide capital planning, and in light of the Met's performance schedule
- Plan individual capital projects including development of budget, RFPs, and resource requirements in collaboration with technical team
- Negotiate and contract third party project management firms, consultants, and equipment vendors in coordination with Met legal department
- Supervise the execution of production capital projects; the development and implementation of safety plans and training; permitting; budget tracking
- • Oversee the Met's production systems including:
- Functionality, safety, permits and regulatory compliance of stage and workshop equipment and machinery in coordination with in-house technical team, safety director, and legal team to ensure an integrated approach to compliance and best practices.
- Remain abreast of current and developing industry standards and guidelines regarding stage facilities
- Coordinate with in-house and contracted resources on the planning and utilization of external production workshops and storage spaces (including 3 warehouses, 2 workshops, and a shipping container storage yard)
- Development of annual budget and expense tracking for production systems
- Negotiation and execution of third-party service and purchase agreements for stage equipment and systems in coordination with Met legal and finance departments
- Maintenance of all production software licenses and administration of production software in consultation with IS (including Autodesk, Autodcad, Inventor, Vault, Trail)
- • Production planning and operations:
- Participate in strategic planning for future production operations and infrastructure
- Participate in season scheduling and planning
- Collaborate with technical and production colleagues on evaluation of new production designs re: facility and system requirements; evaluation and development of safety plans and protocols for productions
Skills and Qualifications- A terminal degree in Theater, Production, Management, or equivalent professional experience is required.
- 5 years of experience in a similar position at a major theatrical venue is required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of standard project management practices.
- Knowledge and experience with all aspects of technical backstage operation is required.
- A solid fundamental knowledge of Theater Production organization, practices, and techniques is essential.
- Computer literacy is essential, including MS Office products.
- Experience with standard technical and theatrical drafting procedures is required.
- An ability to clearly communicate technical and artistic concepts in writing is essential.
- Problem solving skills, including the ability to synthesize and evaluate solutions in three-dimensional space, are required.
- Interpersonal and communication skills are crucial, as well as the ability to work on a team in a fast-paced, detail-oriented workplace.
- Knowledge of standard opera repertory is helpful.
Physical Demands- Must be flexible, communicative, and collaborative
- Must exercise balanced judgement and discretion
- Must be able to work with a diverse group of creative people and excel at bringing teams together for complex projects
- This is a 24/7 theater that demands a significant work commitment
