Production Manager-Main Stage & Black Box

William Paterson University

$76K — $87K *
Wayne, NJ 07470In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in technical theatre, theatre production, production management, or related field required, with preference for a Master's degree/MFA.
  • 3-5 years of hands-on experience in overseeing technical teams within professional theatre or live performance.
  • Certificates in audio engineering, lighting design, rigging, or production management software like Vectorworks are highly valued.
  • Proven ability to mentor students and early-career technicians is essential for the university setting.
  • Expertise in venue safety, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and scheduling.

Responsibilities

  • Build production calendars and budgets for a variety of events.
  • Oversee and implement technical requirements across various disciplines including lighting and audio.
  • Schedule rehearsals and manage performance logistics including load-ins and load-outs.
  • Supervise a diverse stage crew, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance is met.
  • Maintain clear documentation and communication with all stakeholders involved in productions.
  • Drive operational improvements and encourage best practices within the production process.
  • Run rehearsals and dress rehearsals, maintaining detailed notes for consistency across performances.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and dental insurance.
  • Retirement plans available to employees.
  • Opportunity for continuous professional development through mentorship.
  • Engagement with various academic events and collaboration with university arts units.
Full Job Description
Under the direction of and reporting to the Managing Director, the Production Manager leads end-to-end production operations for the Shea Center's main stage and black box venues, advancing each engagement from planning through strike.

Major Duties and Responsibilities
  • Builds production calendars and budgets.
  • Oversees technical requirements across lighting, audio, rigging, scene, costume, and props, and coordinating the implementation of artist contracts and technical riders.
  • Schedules rehearsals, load-ins, performances, and load-outs.
  • Supervises and assigns stage crews composed of student, casual, and union/overhire personnel as applicable; and ensures safety and regulatory compliance for public assembly spaces, including ADA adherence.
  • Maintains accurate documentation and communication among artists, campus partners, and internal teams; manages facility and equipment upkeep.
  • Drives continuous operational improvements and best practices.
  • Attends production meetings and runs technical rehearsals as needed to support academic events and rentals hosted in Shea Center spaces.
  • Runs rehearsals and dress rehearsals, takes detailed blocking notes, conducts script analysis, and develops prompt books, maintaining consistency across performances.
  • Other duties as necessary and appropriate for the Position.


Education and Experience
  • A bachelor's degree in technical theatre, theatre production, production management, or a closely related field is required. A Master's degree/MFA in technical theatre or production management is preferred.
  • Three to five or more years substantial hands-on experience overseeing technical teams and productions in professional theatre or live performance.
  • Certificates or advanced coursework in areas such as audio engineering, lighting design, rigging, stage management, or Vectorworks/AutoCAD/QLab are highly valued, as is senior-level experience in arts/non-profit or university performing-arts centers.


Competencies/Skills Required
  • Strong command of venue safety and code compliance
  • Expertise in budgeting and scheduling
  • Communicates clearly under pressure to resolve issues, maintains meticulous documentation, and is proficient with industry tools such as Vectorworks or AutoCAD together with standard productivity software.
  • An ability to mentor and develop student technicians and early-career staff is central to the position's contribution to the University learning environment.
  • Must be reliable, punctual, and have theater experience.


Preferred qualifications
  • Advanced capability in lighting and sound system design and shop workflows.
  • Experience supervising mixed personnel groups that may include union crews.
  • Familiarity with current theatre technologies and rental-supported programming.
  • Experience within higher-education performing arts centers and successful collaboration across University arts units.


Other Information

This position requires the ability to move equipment weighing up to 30 pounds, prolonged standing during rehearsals and performances, and a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends. Consistent on-site presence is expected during major events, load-ins/outs, and critical production periods.

This description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees in the above job. It is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Starting Salary - AFT Range 24 - $76,486.40 - $87,954.55

This position may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health and dental insurance and retirement plans. To learn more, please visit: BENEFITS FOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF (AFT)

Invitation to apply
Interested candidates will be prompted to complete an application and submit a cover letter and resume/CV.

Submission of all documents listed is required for consideration and all documents should be uploaded where prompted to upload your resume/cv.



Please include with your inquiry the Job Requisition number beginning with R as well as the job title and department.

Salary Range:

Please see posting.

Total Rewards and Benefits:

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