DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
DEPARTMENT: Artistic & Community
REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Producing Operations
SUPERVISES: Assistant Director of Production, Tech Assistant, Production Crew, Contractors, Staging Staff
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt
WORK LOCATION(S): Hybrid - BLO Office, Onsite Work, Theatres, BLO Warehouse & Remote Work
LOCATION: Greater Boston Area

Summary
The Director of Production directs and executes planning, implementation, and management of all production requirements and resources, including mainstage, site-specific, digital productions, and events both in person and virtual. They handle budgeting, monitoring, and forecasting, ensuring initiatives stay within resources and meet artistic goals. Accountable for the planning, staffing, and execution of productions and events, and are responsible for health and safety in design, engineering, fabrication, and personnel training. The Director acts as the main liaison among production staff, union reps, venue management, and organizational leaders, coordinating with stakeholders and maintaining inventory, co-productions, and rentals. They develop production documentation for rentals and co-productions and align operations with organizational goals, promoting BLO's mission and sustainability.

Areas of Responsibility

Collaborate with department leadership to develop, track, and manage production schedules, budgets, staffing, and vendor relationships, ensuring seamless execution of all projects.
Build, track, reconcile, and forecast all production department expenses promptly.
Act as the liaison among Designers/Directors, Stage Management, Artistic Director, Senior Director of Producing Operations, and CFO to optimize production and organizational outcomes.
Research, coordinate, and oversee procurement, construction, and technical aspects of physical production, including equipment, set, costume, and media assets.
Lead project design processes, manage digital and technical projects, and facilitate communication across teams to achieve optimal production outcomes.
Serve as the primary supervisor for production staff, coordinating with stage management and overseeing all technical and production needs in collaboration with the Artistic & Community Department.
Collaborate with the Senior Director of Producing Operations to negotiate, manage, and administer co-production and rental agreements.
Prepare and manage all technical, production documentation, and permits for touring, co-productions, and rentals.
Lead analysis and procurement of venues, including CAD drawings and certification needs, collaborating with artistic and administrative staff for planning.
Ensure production departments are resourced effectively for current and upcoming seasons.
Manage and supervise a diverse team across multiple locations, including administrative staff, stage management, props, stagehands, construction labor, electrics, audio, video, costumes, wardrobe, wigs/makeup, and more.
Delegate tasks to the Assistant Director of Production and coordinate union and non-union work calls with IATSE, ensuring seamless staffing and operations.
Ensure that all Production Department expenses balance board approved budgets and artistic goals, while prioritizing fiduciary responsibility.
Handle budget forecasting, labor call scheduling, employment documentation, and review production/technical payrolls in alignment with the Senior Director of Producing Operations in a timely fashion.
Collaborate with the Senior Director of Producing Operations to develop and manage seasonal budgets, including tracking expenses and timelines.
Prepare and maintain labor projections for both union and non-union staff, alongside securing competitive costs for all production expenditures.
Regularly report budget forecasts to the Director of Producing Operations and Senior Director of Production Operations and lead reconciliation of settlement statements, credit card charges, and invoices.
Oversight and coordination of all production responsibilities, including resolving unforeseen issues, managing warehouse activity, maintaining records, and ensuring health and safety standards.
Lead team efforts during productions and events, attending rehearsals, performances, and meetings as required.
Collaborate with venue management and ensure compliance with safety protocols, including insurance documentation, equipment safety, and facility modifications.
Advise on technology upgrades and maintain operational documentation to support efficient production processes.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Ideal candidates will have 5+ years of minimum production management experience IN A UNION ENVIRONMENT (IATSE, AFM, AGMA).
CAD/Vectorworks a plus.
OSHA 10 preferred.
Production Management & Operations experience directly related to the following areas:
o Project Management: The ability to develop, track, and manage complex production schedules, timelines, and multiple concurrent projects from conception to completion. This includes coordinating all aspects of physical production (set, costume, media, equipment).
o Technical Production Expertise: Strong understanding of the technical aspects of live production, including lighting, audio, video, stagecraft, and construction.
o Logistics & Procurement: Experience in researching, coordinating, and overseeing the procurement of materials, equipment, and services, as well as managing warehouse activity.
o Venue Management & Logistics: Skills in analyzing and procuring venues, including understanding CAD drawings and certification needs, and collaborating with venue management on safety and modifications.
o Documentation & Compliance: Proficiency in preparing and managing technical and production documentation, permits, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards, insurance requirements, and facility protocols.
o Touring & Co-Production Management: Experience with the specific requirements of touring productions and managing co-production and rental agreements.
o Problem-Solving & Crisis Management: The capacity to resolve unforeseen issues and adapt quickly to challenges during productions and events.
Financial Management & Budgetingdirectly related to the following areas:
o Budgeting & Forecasting: Expert-level ability to develop, track, reconcile, forecast, and manage large-scale seasonal and project-specific budgets. This includes tracking expenses, managing timelines, and preparing labor projections.
o Financial Reporting: Skilled in regularly reporting budget forecasts, leading reconciliation of settlement statements, credit card charges, and invoices.
o Cost Control & Negotiation: Experience in securing competitive costs for production expenditures and negotiating vendor, co-production, and rental agreements.
o Payroll & Labor Cost Management: Ability to handle labor call scheduling, employment documentation, and review production/technical payrolls, aligning with union (IATSE) and non-union staff.
Leadership & People Managementexperience directly related to the following areas:
o Team Leadership & Supervision: Proven ability to lead, manage, and supervise a diverse team across multiple locations, including administrative staff, stage management, and various technical and creative departments (props, stagehands, electrics, audio, video, costumes, wardrobe, wigs/makeup).
o Staffing & Resource Allocation: Expertise in ensuring production departments are effectively resourced and delegating tasks (e.g., to a Technical Director).
o Union Relations: Experience coordinating union and non-union work calls and understanding IATSE and AGMA agreements.
Communication & Collaborationexperience directly related to the following areas:
o Cross-Functional Liaison: Exceptional ability to act as a primary liaison and facilitate communication among a wide range of stakeholders, including Designers/Directors, Stage Management, Artistic Director, Senior Director of Producing Operations, and CFO.
o Stakeholder Management: Skill in collaborating effectively with department leadership, senior management, and artistic/administrative staff to optimize production and organizational outcomes.
o Negotiations: Strong negotiation skills for vendor contracts, co-production agreements, and rental agreements.
Ability to contribute to strategic planning regarding technology upgrades and operational documentation to support efficient production processes.
Strong analytical skills to interpret financial data.

BLO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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Director of Production (DOP)