About The Shed

The Shed is a new cultural institution of and for the 21st century. We produce and welcome innovative art and ideas, across all forms of creativity, to build a shared understanding of our rapidly changing world and a more equitable society. In our highly adaptable building on Manhattan’s west side, The Shed brings together established and emerging artists to create new work in fields ranging from pop to classical music, painting to digital media, theater to literature, and sculpture to dance. We seek opportunities to collaborate with cultural peers and community organizations, work with like-minded partners, and provide unique spaces for private events. As an independent non-profit that values invention, equity, and generosity, we are committed to advancing art forms, addressing the urgent issues of our time, and making our work impactful, sustainable, and relevant to the local community, the cultural sector, New York City, and beyond.

About the Position

The Shed seeks a Director of Production to oversee and work closely with the producers, curators, and creative team to design and oversee all aspects of the technical production process for both artistic productions and external events. The Director of Production should demonstrate an aptitude and willingness to brainstorm creative strategies for and solutions to productions and events still in their concept and development phase; to research new technologies and equipment; to think outside the box with the artists, Artistic Director, Chief Executive Producer, artistic staff, and producers to realize these programs.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Producer, the Director of Production will have strong budgetary and personnel management skills, work well under short time constraints, and be able to pivot easily from one task or idea to another, working on all events from concept to load out. They should be experienced with all aspects of technical production and comfortable making managerial decisions where required.

Experience in all performing arts genres, as well as event production experience, is essential, as is an open, creative approach to the production process. Sensitivity to varying artists’ and clients’ needs and patience amidst changing priorities will help immeasurably in this position. A flexible schedule is a requirement and patience and a good-natured attitude will be essential. International experience is a plus.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Manage all production personnel including full-time staff, stage labor, and freelance production personnel
• Advance work on future productions (technical specs, budgeting, logistics, and feasibility) and ensuring creative teams are aware of possible constraints
• Work with artists, designers, producers, curators, and technical teams on design and construction details
• Supervise Production staff around load-in, set-up, technical rehearsals, performances, strike, and restore of all Shed productions including seating and staging, lighting, rigging, and sound installations, hiring, and scheduling of all labor crews and creation of detailed logistics plans
• Creation and execution of top-level production schedules and calendars
• Prepare all production budgets including but not limited to labor estimating, material costs; research items and rental equipment and manage the reconciliation following close of production
• Work with designers and technical teams to meet budgets and schedules
• Create and manage project overview drawings (plans, sections, etc.).
• Review design drawings for translation into technically useful drawings for shops and for load-in purposes.
• Create timeline of technical and design deliverables for shops and contractors; ensure that deadlines are met
• Research and propose materials to meet needs of design teams
• Obtain quotes from shops/vendors for all production elements
• Coordinate meetings with shops to discuss bids and work through technical details
• Advise the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and Chief Executive Producer in union contract matters and participate in the negotiation of all theatrical union collective bargaining agreements
• Negotiate and contract vendors and subcontractors
• Check in with shops and designers regularly to ensure progress on meeting deadlines
• Identify technical, budgetary, and time-related issues and propose solutions
• Manage creation of project documentation and tech riders to collect all relevant technical information about each project for internal reference and potential transfers
• Manage the technical production department budget (departmental operations and purchasing, IT, other administrative costs, etc.)
• Manage maintenance, storage and inventories of all Shed-owned, production-related equipment
• Develop long-term capital equipment purchase recommendations and costs

Qualifications and Qualities

• Bachelor’s degree in theater production or similar; master’s degree in technical / design field preferred
• Ten years of experience in a management position in theatrical or event production
• Demonstrated broad and deep knowledge of theater production and entertainment technology including lighting and design, sound reinforcement and recording, video sources and projection, rigging, carpentry, properties and stagecraft
• Proficient in Vectorworks for generating all types from drawings from 2-D simple plans and sections to 3-D renderings and detailed construction drawings; experience with AutoCAD for analyzing designer drawings is very helpful
• Significant experience with creating and managing budgets and schedules, managing labor crews and logistics plans
• Well-versed in collective bargaining agreements with theatrical unions, including IATSE, Teamsters, SAG Aftra, Actors Equity, etc.
• Experience in the New York City performing arts market preferred