Chicago Opera Theater
Production Manager Position announcement

THE POSITION 

The Production Manager at Chicago Opera Theater is responsible for managing all production operations of the company, including planning, budgeting, supervising technical production activities and personnel, and final execution of all production activities of the season.  The Production Manager is a key member of the senior management team and actively participates in strategic planning, maintenance of production standards and planning of future seasons.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Hire, contract, and supervise all production staff and contractors including, but not limited to, technical staff, electricians, carpenters, stage managers, production assistants, wardrobe personnel, props, run crew, and any additional personnel required for specific production needs

  • Coordinate staffing needs with venue partners where house technical personnel executes production responsibilities (ie. The Studebaker Theater, The Harris Theater, and The Athenaeum Theater)

  • Oversee technical preparations in coordination with venue Technical Directors

  • Oversee and coordinate all production needs with Lighting, Costume, Scenic, Wigs/Makeup, and Audio Designers, as well as all department heads

  • Oversee stage management throughout rehearsal and production periods

  • In consultation with the General Director, negotiate terms with designers and draft contracts that layout those terms in adherence with COT’s CBA with United Scenic Artists, IATSE Local USA 829

  • Guide all director / design teams through the design process to guarantee the timely completion of all designs. With the input of appropriate technical staff and shops, analyze all designs submitted to assess feasibility of execution within the allotted time, money, and personnel available

  • Coordinate with co-producing companies on technical and logistical aspects of production design, transport, and venue specifications

  • In collaboration with the General Director and Director of Artistic Operations, develop the season schedule for all mainstage and community programming. Develop and administer production calendars, load-in, tech schedules and design deadlines for each production. Manage resource calendars for all shared facility spaces. Schedule all design and production meetings. Coordinate pre-season scenic and costume construction, rental and transportation; and oversee the bid process for scenic and / or costume needs not built in-house

  • In partnership with Director of Artistic Operations, book travel and housing for Designers and other non-resident production personnel

  • Coordinate interdepartmental communication between artistic, production, marketing and development departments as relating to rehearsal and performance operations

  • Facilitate timely and efficient communication between production departments, including coordination of production meetings

  • Coordinate load-in and restore of all performance, concert and rehearsal venues, and serve as primary contact with venue management for all production related issues

  • Assist with orchestra setup needs for rehearsals and performances, including transfer of equipment and materials between venues and hiring support staff/crew as needed

  • Assist with ancillary concerts and events

  • As necessary, support productions with hands-on projects including, but not limited to, special effects, projections and supertitles, audiovisual needs, purchasing, sourcing, and researching materials and techniques

  • Coordinate post-production strike and storage needs

  • Serve as Chicago Opera Theater’s Safety Officer, responsible for the oversight and maintenance of a safe workplace in compliance with OSHA, ADA and Building Fire Codes; develop a safety manual and address any safety hazards or safety infractions and follow up on any hazard reports; ensure rehearsal and performance venues are supplied with necessary first-aid supplies

  • Ensure compliance of production personnel and contractors with COVID-19 safety policies, and ensure rehearsal and performance venues are supplied with necessary COVID-19 compliance materials.

  • Manage truck rental and other equipment / supply transportation needs

  • Advise on year-round production storage needs; maintain an up to date inventory of COT’s warehouse,

  • Participate in company planning with full-time staff

  • Assess venue feasibility for new venue partnerships and site specific productions

  • Oversee rental and co-production agreements with other companies

  • Determine appropriate production insurance requirements

  • Participate in all relevant union negotiations

Finance:

  • Create and manage technical production budgets and expense projections

  • Oversee production expense tracking and reporting

  • Clearly and accurately communicate results/variances to General Director and staff in a timeline manner

  • Oversee preparation of Production staff payroll

Administrative:

  • Maintain historical documentation of all COT productions (PSM books and archival recordings)

  • Notify Director of Operations & Audience Services of sightline and seating restrictions as soon as possible for each production

  • Track and maintain all warehouse inventory and assets

  • Assist COT staff at company events

  • Other duties related to overall production needs as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED SKILLS

The Production Manager will bring a strong appreciation of Chicago Opera Theater’s mission and a desire to both positively impact the organization’s long-term success and enhance the quality of productions presented by the company. They must have the following skills and experience:

  • 3+ Years Experience as a Production Manager, working in professional opera or theater

  • Extensive knowledge of technical theater techniques and processes, including safety standards

  • Demonstrated experience in personnel management, with the ability to work with a wide variety of personalities

  • Demonstrated relationship management skills and ability to establish rapport with team of stage crew and stage managers

  • Strong leadership, communication and team building skills

  • Exceptional project management and organizational skills; attention to detail is critical

  • Professional and resourceful, with the ability to work independently and with a team and to instill in others the desire to work independently and collaboratively

  • Take initiative and manage deadline-driven tasks and projects simultaneously

  • Effective and timely decision making

  • Understand need for a high degree of safety among personnel and systems in production department

  • Proficient in AutoCAD or similar drawing program, Excel, Outlook, Word, etc.

  • Able to work nights and weekends, as required, climb stairs and ladders, lift and carry up to 50 pounds without assistance, and engage in other physical work related to the position

  • Driver’s License required

COMPENSATION

Salary range is $66,000 – $70,000 annually plus health, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid vacation, holidays, sick and personal days; paid family leave; life insurance; flexible & hybrid work options; 403(b) plan; complimentary tickets; and other benefits. Relocation assistance available for out-of-town candidates. Salary is commensurate with experience. Position is full-time salaried, exempt.

ABOUT CHICAGO OPERA THEATER

Chicago Opera Theater is a company laser-focused on living its values of:

  • expanding the tradition of opera as a living art form

  • producing high-quality works new to Chicago audiences

  • identifying top-tier casts and creative talent

  • following through on commitments to equity and access – behind the scenes, on the stage, and in the audience

Since its founding in 1973, in a city where storefront theaters and global icons thrive side by side, COT has grown from a grassroots, community-based company to a national leader in an increasingly vibrant, diverse, and forward-looking art form. COT has staged over 150 operas, including 78 Chicago premieres and 45 operas by American composers. In addition to its mainstage season, COT is devoted to the development and production of new opera through its Vanguard Initiative, launched in 2018, which trains emerging opera composers, invests time and talent in new opera at various stages of the creative process, and opens up opportunities for Chicago audiences to become part of the development of new work in dialogue with the creators themselves. Currently, COT produces two or three fully staged opera productions each season, along with multiple concerts and community engagement events across the Chicagoland area.

Instructions to Apply:

Please let us know how you heard about this opportunity along with submitting a resume and cover letter to jobs@cot.org. Please also include at least three references who can speak to your experience relevant to this position.

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone solicitations please. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

At Chicago Opera Theater, we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it.  COT is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and to provide employees with a work environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at COT are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the law.

We encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and all others who may contribute to the diversification of ideas at COT.