Director, Production Operations Job at Metropolitan Opera in New York

The Production Department of The Metropolitan Opera is responsible for all production and technical details related to the development, creation, and performance of the opera repertory, the coordination of presentations and special events, the operation and maintenance of, as well as improvements to, the Metropolitan Opera stage, shops, and warehouses.

The Director of Production Operations will manage the department’s capital improvement project portfolio and develop the core production team, leading an integration of the repertory, event, and renovation workflows in order to deliver maximum departmental value.

Primary Responsibilities

• Capital Projects
• Manage planning and execution for the production Capital Improvement project portfolio
• Assign and lead internal and contracted project managers/human resources per project.
• Implement a standard model for Project Management across all projects.
• Standardize project/portfolio reporting and facilitate interdepartmental communication.
• Run periodic risk assessments and advise Assistant General Manager and Production Team on project implications for repertory and event programming.
• Collaborate with Legal to establish preferred vendor service and purchase agreements.

• Production
• Support the core production team in their essential duties by providing leadership, guidance, and mediation throughout the production planning and execution cycle.
• Direct the development of a stage equipment and machinery reliability program.
• Collaborate with the Safety Director, Legal, and Production Team to ensure an integrated approach to regulatory compliance and best practices.
• Coordinate the evaluation and tracking of 3rd party intellectual property approvals for production elements for all design disciplines. Negotiate and Execute licensing and release agreements in consultation with Production Manager, Design Teams, and Legal.
• Coordinate RFP development for outside scenery construction; negotiate and execute vendor contracting
• Review and execute New Production Costume build agreements.
• Negotiate and Execute all Production Master Services/Purchases agreements and one time contracts for procurement of goods and services in consultation with all areas of production.
• Coordinate vendor requests for production photo publishing approval.
• Manage Administrative Associates: Costumes, Wardrobe/Wigs and Makeup, Construction/Scenic, Electric, Props, Production Finance Coordinator/Assistant Finance Coordination, Logistics Coordinator
• Coordinate accounting and control policy consistency/compliance for all production areas

• General
• Participate in repertory production planning by serving on the Scheduling Committee to advise of capital project requirements.
• Participate in the yearly budgeting process by planning and tracking individual budget lines as assigned.
• Remain abreast of current and developing industry standards and guide lines regarding the safety of stage operations.
• Support and maintain an environment of collaboration.
• Regularly update the Assistant General Manager on departmental status.
• Manage Production Department satellite service agreements. Conduct market research, negotiate agreements, and manage the vendor relationship for 2 warehouses and a shipping container storage yard in the NYC metropolitan region.
• Coordinate annual safety, anti-harassment, and DEI training for Production sub departments in consultation with Chief Diversity Officer, Safety Director, and Chief Human Resources Officer.
• Coordinate specialty training as needed - Scaffolding, Suspended Scaffolding, Professional Development (excel, vendor software training etc.)
• Production IT - Review and approve all requests for departmental network access/email/internet rights for all Production areas in consultation with IS and department heads. Administer production software in consultation with IS; Autodesk Autocad/Inventor/Vault
• Participate in an advisory capacity on weekly committee to address labor relations issues across all production union groups. Participate in periodic labor negotiations in an advisory capacity
• Coordinate intern interviews and placements in consultation with DEI team.
• Support control team with quarterly and annual evaluation of property and cargo insurance requirements

Skills and Qualifications

• A terminal degree in Theater, Production, Management, or equivalent professional experience is required.
• 5 years of experience in a similar position at a major theatrical venue is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the standard project management practices.
• Basic knowledge and experience with all aspects of technical backstage operation is required.
• A solid fundamental knowledge of Theater Production organization, practices, and techniques is essential. § Computer literacy is essential, including MS Office products.
• Experience with standard technical and theatrical drafting procedures is required.
• An ability to clearly communicate technical and artistic concepts in writing is essential.
• Problem solving skills, including the ability to synthesize and evaluate solutions in threedimensional space, are required.
• Interpersonal and communication skills are crucial, as well as the ability to work on a team in a fast-paced, detail-oriented workplace.
• Knowledge of standard opera repertory is helpful.

Physical Demands

• Must be flexible, willing to help when asked.
• Excel in a demanding fast paced environment.

$200,000 - $230,000 a year
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