Job Description

Title:                       Production Manager
Reports to:            Assistant Director, Production
Supervises:           Part-time seasonal van crew
Classification:        Full-time, exempt, member of Audience Experience department

About the Chicago Humanities Festival

The Chicago Humanities Festival is a non-profit year-round festival of conversations, performances, and experiences. In our history, we have produced more than 140 programs annually, reaching a live audience of nearly 50,000 adults and 12,000 youth. We have presented over 3,000 outstanding speakers, including: 10 Nobel Laureates; 73 Pulitzer Prize winners; 56 MacArthur “Genius” Fellows; 34 Academy Award, Tony, and Grammy winners; and 18 James Beard Award winners. Our dedicated YouTube channel has had over 4.4 million views. Additional information is available at chicagohumanities.org.In response to the pandemic in 2020, CHF pivoted to hosting events virtually on our YouTube and Zoom platforms. In 2021, we will host around 60 events virtually, while planning for a return to in-person gatherings later this year.

Position Description

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day event production logistics for in-person events in CHF’s rental venues throughout the city. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Production, this role keeps track of pertinent details related to the events schedule, technical requirements and equipment needs for each event, staffing needs for each event, venue logistics, and presenter needs. Using Airtable to keep track of all the information, the Production Manager communicates interdepartmentally and externally with vendors to create shared expectations and ensure deadlines are met. To prepare us for smooth, seamlessly run events, this role schedules and leads venue site visits, creates Run of Show documents for our events, and assists with the training of seasonal staff and volunteers. Having an intimate knowledge of all event load-in and load-out details, this role oversees a seasonal van crew during our spring and fall seasons.

Job Responsibilities

• Facilitate interdepartmental communications surrounding events, including attending various staff meetings, maintaining Airtable database, and co-leading training for seasonal production staff and volunteers.
• Work with collaborating venue staff to ensure communications amongst all participating parties.
• Address and meet venue and programmatic needs, pulling from CHF audio/visual equipment inventory or renting from external vendors, as needed. Manage in-house inventory and maintain production storage.
• Schedule load-in and load-out details at events, including coordinating CHF front of house and production equipment and materials sent to and picked up from all venues.
• During events, share responsibility with Assistant Director of Production of supervising and supporting seasonal teams that consist of stage managers, A/V technicians, and production assistants. Sole supervision of seasonal A/V technicians and stage managers will be temporarily required during the Assistant Director of Production’s family leave from late August through November 2021.
• Temporarily supervise the Production Assistant/Production Intern during the Assistant Director of Production’s absence.
• Hire, supervise, and schedule seasonal van crew.
• Oversee and execute payment for vendors, venues, and independent contractors.
• Support the assembly and distribution of venue materials and equipment.
• Create event preparation documentation including Runs of Show and Tech Sheets.
• Coordinate venue site visits for staff and volunteers.
• In collaboration with the Audience Services team, secure venue floor plans and emergency evacuation plans to support staff training and safety protocols, creating a safe and smooth audience experience.
• Support initiatives in programming and production including upgrades to equipment, staging, and technology.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in event planning and production. Previous festival work a plus.
• Demonstrated expertise with project managing and producing large-scale in-person events. Experience producing virtual events considered a plus.
• Tech-savvy with experience using audio/visual equipment (digital mixer, PA speakers, uplights), database and system management tools (Airtable, Google Suite), design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva), and video platforms (YouTube Studio, Zoom).
• A highly-organized team player, able to multi-task with several projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Grace under pressure, flexibility, resourcefulness, and assertiveness in problem solving.
• Ability to work autonomously and lead a team.
• Excellent communication skills and must be comfortable communicating publicly while training staff, narrating instructions to presenters, etc.
• Familiarity with both Mac and PC computer environments.
• Experience or training in accessibility, disability awareness, or diversity/equity/inclusion initiatives considered a plus.
• General familiarity with accessible services such as ASL interpretation, closed captions, audio description, etc considered a plus.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends per our events schedule.

Compensation and Work Location

This is a full-time position with a salary of $50,000 based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, 403b retirement plan, a commuter spending plan, flexible working hours, paid time off, paid volunteer days, remote work opportunities, a parental leave plan, and more.

As is true of our entire staff, this role will begin working remotely until we return to our Chicago office in summer or fall 2021. While working remotely, you will have access to a laptop computer and a $25 per pay period ($50/month) stipend to offset home internet and personal phone expenses.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Festival is committed to providing a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and policies. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

How to Apply

• Contact information for 2-3 professional references
• Portfolio, website, or compilation of links detailing past event production work strongly encouragedWe’ll continue to accept applications until the position is filled, but we ask that applications are submitted by May 31, 2021. Candidates who are selected for an interview will be notified via email.

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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