What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Manager position at Guthrie Theater?
Production Manager
Reports to: Director of Production
Compensation: $67,500 - $85,500 annually plus benefits
THE ORGANIZATION
The Guthrie Theater engages exceptional theater artists in the exploration of both classic and contemporary plays connecting the community we serve to one another and to the world. Through its extraordinary artists, staff and facility, the Guthrie is committed to the people of Minnesota, and from its place, rooted deeply in the Twin Cities, influences the field as a leading 21st century arts organization.
Every year more than 500 people, both on stage and off, help ensure our success in creating and supporting the highest level of theater. As an organization, we are committed to our values of Artistic Excellence, Community, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Fiscal Responsibility.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Guthrie Theater would like to acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the Dakota People and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations, including the Ojibwe and other Indigenous nations.
THE POSITION
The Production Manager, in close coordination with the Director of Production, is primarily responsible for the production management of the Guthrie’s mainstage season and Dowling Studio programming. Responsible for coordinating the work across multiple production areas, providing clear and effective communication to visiting designers and artists, the Production Manager ensures Guthrie productions open to our audiences on time and within budget. All employees are expected to center, model and champion the Guthrie’s core values of Artistic Excellence, Community, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Fiscal Responsibility.
This position is full-time, exempt and benefits-eligible. Compensation for this position is $67,500 - $85,500 annually plus benefits. The typical schedule for this role will vary based on the dynamic schedule of a theater. This person will work remotely until our building reopens at which time full-time in-person work is required.
The Guthrie is dedicated to building an equitable environment that is mixed across lines of difference and strongly encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, transgender and non-binary candidates. This position will remain open until filled and until a diverse and qualified pool of candidates is identified. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Production Management
- In collaboration with the Director of Production, oversee the execution of all production requirements in support of the work across the Guthrie’s stages and throughout the organization.
- Create and maintain production schedules.
- Ensure design guideline documents for creative teams are up to date.
- Assist the Director of Production in creating and maintaining annual production budgets.
- Track all production and show related expenditures and generate expense reports.
- Schedule and lead regular production meetings with Guthrie staff and creative teams.
- Maintain production calendars within the department and share pertinent information across the organization.
- Ensure that the resources and support available to production departments are sufficient to achieve the artistic vision and excellence of the theater.
- Cultivate and promote a safe working environment and ensure that the Guthrie’s production department operates in accordance with current health and safety regulations and best theater practice.
- Ensure that the Guthrie is in compliance with local and national collective bargaining agreements (IATSE, AFM, USA, SDC and AEA).
2. Creative Team Support and Engagement
- Provide clear communication to all members of the creative team ensuring proper understanding of the Guthrie resources available to them.
- Distribute design guidelines, relevant Guthrie policies and show calendars to all creative teams.
- Ensure all shared design documentation is updated in shared folders, both internally and externally.
- In collaboration with the Assistant Production Manager, organize on site design meetings and designer visits.
- Lead the creative team and relevant Guthrie staff through the entire production process.
- Lead design meetings, production meetings and post preview note sessions.
3. Leadership and Supervision
- Lead, manage and supervise the Guthrie’s Production Stage Manager and Events Production Manager.
- Use the organizational check-in form to complete monthly check-ins with all direct reports.
- Attend and/or run department meetings to communicate pertinent information and communicate shared organizational commitments.
- Coach and develop staff members by monitoring the quality of employees' work and providing constructive feedback; facilitating conflict resolution among employees; ensuring adherence to legal and organizational policies and procedures and undertaking disciplinary actions if the need arises; and completing annual performance evaluations.
- Actively participate in fostering a work environment centering the Guthrie’s core values of Artistic Excellence, Community, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Fiscal Responsibility.
- Maintain and approve direct report timesheets and expense reports, PTO requests, and other personnel records.
- Attend regular production department head meetings.
- Attend departmental and interdepartmental meetings when required.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior experience serving in a management role of a theater production department. Formal, informal and cross-disciplinary experiences will be considered.
- Experience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams that are mixed across lines of difference such as race, gender-identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class and immigrant status.
- Ability to read and assimilate information from technical design drawings.
- Demonstrated computer skills including G-Suite, Dropbox, Microsoft Office.
- Budget management experience preferred. Aptitude in crafting and overseeing budgets required.
- Proven experience in handling production and design processes on large scale productions.
- Working knowledge of IATSE, AFM, USA, SDC, AEA and LORT collective bargaining agreements.
- Demonstrated creative judgment, excellent problem-solving skills and detail-oriented.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Strong ability to lead a team, delegate and communicate effectively across multiple departments with dynamic people.
- Working knowledge of and willingness to promote current health and safety practices in the theater industry.
- Must be able to work under the stress of deadlines and adapt to changing priorities as well as attend to numerous projects concurrently.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability and willingness to exercise professional courtesy and discretion at all times and maintain confidentiality as required.
- Must be willing and able to work flexible hours/days reflective of the dynamic schedule of a theater which includes a variety of hours including evenings and weekends.
THE LOCATION
The Guthrie Theater is located in the historic Mill District along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As the largest city in the state, Minneapolis offers a large variety of parks, lakes, great food, festivals, malls and more.
WHY SHOULD I APPLY?
Be a part of a leading non-profit organization that is committed to serving not only the local Twin Cities community but the industry as a whole. In addition to a competitive salary, the Guthrie offers top-notch employee benefits and staff perks.
Competitive Benefits
Health Insurance
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Account (medical and dependent care)
Dental & Vision
Life Insurance and AD&D
Long Term Disability
Short Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program
403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match up to 4.5% after one year of employment
Paid Time Off
Transportation
Subsidized passes for Metro Transit buses and trains
Discounted pre-tax monthly ramp parking
Discounted bike locker rental
Discounted Nice Ride annual membership
Complimentary Tickets
To Guthrie productions
Discounted Tickets
To all shows produced by the Guthrie
To some performances hosted by the Guthrie
Classes and Camps
Discounts to Guthrie classes and camps
Other Employee Perks
Wellness Program
Guthrie Store discount
Admission to opening night parties
Affinity Groups
Discounted Level Five Café and Express dining
Frequent Sea Change restaurant discounts
A NOTE FROM HUMAN RESOURCES
For the safety of our guests and staff, the Guthrie Theater requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Documentation of vaccination status must be provided if an offer of employment is made.
Applicants must submit the following to be considered for the position:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)