plus excellent benefits, including health insurance, leave, and mileage reimbursement.
Required Education:
4 Year Degree
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra is seeking a motivated Production Manager with strong technical knowledge who will contribute a high degree of polish and professionalism to the production of all VSO concerts and events. The Production Manager is the primary point of contact with production vendors, holds regular in-person office hours weekly, and attends all orchestra services (unless assigned otherwise) as stage manager, supervisor of the Production Crew, and the primary person ensuring optimal setup and working conditions for the orchestra onstage.
Principal Responsibilities:
Technical Advance and Vendors
Coordinate with Operations Manager to advance shows, participating in conversations with artist management regarding contract riders and with presenters regarding orchestra and production needs.
Serve as primary contact with production service vendors and venue production staff, communicating and executing all technical advance needs, including:
orchestra stage plot with riser and acoustic shell specifications,
audio, video, and lighting,
hall crew staffing needs,
recording engineers for archival and commercial projects,
backline, instrument rental, and tuning,
and other production equipment rental.
Develop and monitor budgets for all production needs.
Process vendor invoices.
Coordinate with venues and vendors for deliveries/pick-ups, tuning schedule, and load in/out.
Instrument/Equipment Setup & Management
Draft and finalize stage plots by project in coordination with the Music Director, Executive Vice President & General Manager, and Artistic Administrato
Coordinate with Principal Percussionist on instrument lists and transportation needs for services and ensure delivery of Symphony equipment/instruments to services.
Serve as primary stage manager for orchestra services and primary person ensuring staging, sound, and lighting have been set to specifications.
Be available onsite for questions and concerns from musicians, conductors, staff before and during services and ensure optimal working conditions for the orchestra onstage, in compliance with the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Manage inventory and maintenance of VSO-owned instruments, vehicles, and production equipment/materials.
Management of Production Crew
Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and schedule the Production Crew for driving and setup needs within budgetary parameters.
Lead and supervise stage crew in load-in and stage setup.
Review crew timesheets regularly for accuracy and submit weekly for payroll.
General
Perform site visits and evaluate concert opportunities.
Serve as backup when the Operations Manager is unavailable.
Provide production support for activities of Development, Marketing, Education, and Equity & Engagement departments for special projects involving the use of venues, stage crew and/or orchestra in coordination with the Operations Manager.
Monitor and restock production and orchestra hospitality supplies as needed.
Attend monthly All-Staff and weekly department meetings.
Any other assignments that help drive the VSO’s forward-thinking vision, achieve our mission, and abide by our organization’s values.
Desired Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in music, theater or a directly related field or suitable equivalent.
Minimum three years’ experience in orchestra production and/or stage management or equivalent.
Working knowledge of stage craft and production practices required, with a high sense of professionalism in performance presentations. Working knowledge of orchestral repertoire and performance practices preferred.
Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office Suite.
Experience working successfully with a variety of personalities including artists.
Must accommodate a varying schedule, including nights and weekends, and manage a fluctuating workload week to week.
Reliable personal transportation is required, because the regional reach of the VSO surpasses the capacity of public transportation.
Must have a solid commitment towards equity, diversity, and inclusion.
VSO Statement on Attracting Candidates from All Backgrounds Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are music to our ears! The Virginia Symphony Orchestra is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to increasing diversity among our applicant pool, our musicians, our staff, our board of directors, and in our program offerings. We strongly encourage people from all backgrounds, especially Black, Indigenous, and all People of Color, as well as people with non-traditional experience and educational backgrounds, to apply for this position.
ABOUT THE VSO
As the region’s most celebrated musical, educational and entrepreneurial arts organization, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra continues to challenge expectations and push the boundaries of what an American orchestra can be. Innovation and excellence are at the heart of the VSO’s narrative.
The VSO has received national attention for its unique mission serving a home area of 1.7 million across the diverse communities of southeastern Virginia. Through appearances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall and commitment to adventurous programming, the VSO and its musicians have been highlighted in the media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio and BBC Worldwide News.
As the largest performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, the VSO and VSO Chorus present more than 150 concerts and events annually for more than 100,000 residents and visitors. Recent innovations include health and wellness programs, including interactive therapeutic experiences for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and adopting welcoming concert environments for those who are neurodiverse. Since 2019, the VSO has been recognized nationally for... striving to reflect the region’s ethnic and racial diversity in its members, its programming, and its leadership.
The selection of the young and dynamic conductor Eric Jacobsen as music director in 2021 was another bold step forward for the VSO, further expanding its vision to attract wider and larger audiences with engaging concert experiences and creative and relevant programming. Rounding out the artistic leadership team is Norfolk native Thomas Wilkins in the role of Principal Guest Conductor, reflecting the VSO’s commitment to tell its community’s stories and advance the important conversations that will promote understanding and belonging among all residents.
experience.