Production Manager - National Symphony Orchestra

***Please submit a cover letter for consideration***

About The Kennedy Center

“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” – President John F. Kennedy

The Kennedy Center is the nation’s cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Center presents performances across all genres, and is also home to artistic affiliates Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra. 

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are able to advance our mission because of our committed and passionate employees. We are fortunate to be able to leverage their diverse perspectives, life experiences and skills to inform how our workplace can be a safe, transparent, and replenishing community. The Kennedy Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law. 

Mission Statement: As the nation's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across America and around the world, reaching and connecting with artists, inspiring and educating communities. We welcome all to create, experience, learn about, and engage with the arts. 

Why Join Us

We offer a total rewards package to all full-time employees to include: 

• Staff offers for discount tickets
• Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire
• 11 paid holidays per year 
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA
• We like to have fun! Check out the Kennedy Center National Dance Day 2024 staff video!

Pay Details

The Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $72,000 - $82,000, commensurate with experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This is the targeted range of possible compensation for this role at the time of posting. This range may be modified in the future. Base pay within the range is ultimately determined by a candidate’s skills, expertise, and experience as it relates to the position qualifications and responsibilities.

Job Description

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Production & Orchestra Operations, the Production Manager arranges, provides, and implements day-to-day technical elements and production elements to produce all genres of concerts (classical, pops, education, etc.) and tours presented by the National Symphony Orchestra wherever the orchestra performs. The Production Manager must possess strong time management, organizational skills to successfully coordinate production, technical and artistic information based on the NSO’s concert season. The Production Manager works closely with a variety of parties (NSO and Kennedy Center staff, musicians, crew, guest artists, visiting technicians and management) and must have excellent communication skills and be adept at problem-solving.

The overall goal of this position is to ensure the highest degree of efficiency and professionalism for NSO productions, fostering an environment in which musicians and crew can perform at their best.

Key Responsibilities

Production Management/Concert Production

• Manage technical and logistical details for NSO rehearsals, concerts, and other special events at the Kennedy Center and in the local DC area.
• Produce all genres of NSO programming, including Classical, Pops, Young People’s Concerts, Family Concerts, and Community concerts.
• Hire and manage production contractors, including lighting designers, stage managers, sound engineers, recording engineers, and more.
• Stage manage and call lighting and video cues for rehearsals and performances as needed.
• Serve departmental duty for concerts as assigned.
• Coordinate and arrange for proper musical instrumentation including rental, purchase, repair and tunings of all required instruments and equipment. Create and maintain production photo documentation as needed. Create stage plots. Manage all aspects of advance and production for assigned concerts, and support production for complex concerts requiring more than one production manager.
• Create, compile, and disseminate production documents including technical schedules, stage plots, and event sheets.
• Liaise with the stage crew to ensure all lighting, sound, video, and other production elements are of excellent quality.
• Coordinate with internal and external vendors for equipment and instrument rentals including backline, lighting, sound, video, props, and costumes.
• Arrange piano tunings, teleprompting services, wardrobe calls in accordance with Local 772 call structures, and Hair & makeup calls in accordance with Local 798 call structures.
• Ensure safe working conditions for all musicians, crew, artists, and staff onstage.
• Work proactively to anticipate and solve production issues.

Touring/Off-site Concert Management

• Support NSO’s domestic and international tour planning, preparation, and implementation by acting as production liaison for all external venues, advancing technical and logistical needs for tour rehearsals and concerts, managing cargo arrangements (ground and air freight, carnet paperwork and other border crossing requirements), and other tour management duties as assigned. Advance venues and travel with the stage crew while on tour. 
• Serve as primary production contact for concerts at the US Capitol (Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day).  Coordinate and implement production requirements to ensure a smooth concert production while observing and adhering to IATSE and AFM union regulations.

Orchestra Equipment & Maintenance

• Coordinate with a variety of NSO and Kennedy Center staff on maintaining and improving Concert Hall related production issues, such as: keyboards (piano, organ, celesta, etc.), sound system, environmental regulation, etc.
• Manage yearly maintenance of the Concert Hall’s Casavant Organ (Rubenstein Family Organ.)
• Custom design and procure all orchestral instrument and equipment touring trunks as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• College degree in music, theater and/or a related field is required. Must have working knowledge of musical instruments, be detail-oriented and be able to manage and produce a variety of concerts. A minimum of five years previous experience in concert/theatrical production, preferably with a mid-sized or major orchestra. Ability to read music, experience with labor unions (IATSE, AFM, etc.) and touring is strongly preferred.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of people is critical. Must have excellent interpersonal skills to work well under pressure, bring diverse groups of people together.

• Computer skills including Windows, Word, Excel, Publisher and learning new programs as needed (VISIO, OPAS, ArtsVision, etc.), are required.

• Ability to develop and monitor production budgets is required.

• Must hold a valid driver’s license in the United States.

• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided.
• Candidate must be willing to work onsite.

Additional Information

• Must be able to travel and work extended hours, including evenings, weekends and national holidays (Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day). Must hold a valid driver’s license in the United States. A personal vehicle is a plus.
• Ability to perform concert production related tasks in outdoor settings, sometimes in unpredictable weather conditions.
• Travel up to 15% may be required.