Production Manager

POSITION REPORTS TO : Director of Production, The Filene Center and Director of Production, The Barns

POSITION MANAGES : Seasonal and Variable Staff

POSITION LOCATION : Hybrid – will require most days onsite and allow telework

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts is seeking a Production Manager to support live event production across Wolf Trap Foundation venues, with responsibilities that shift seasonally. During the Filene Center season, the role focuses on production planning, advancing, labor coordination, and event oversight. During The Barns season, the role includes hands-on technical execution, event coordination, and direct support of performances. In all settings, this position ensures clear communication, safe operations, and a high standard of production quality. This is an opportunity to work with a wide range of artists across different performance types in two nationally renowned venues.

Wolf Trap is home to three distinct venues: the Filene Center, The Barns at Wolf Trap, and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. The Filene Center, a 7,028 capacity iconic amphitheater within Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, presents 70+ concerts and theatrical productions across all genres and performance types. Just minutes from the Filene Center, The Barns at Wolf Trap hosts 80+ performances spanning bluegrass, chamber music, indie-folk, comedy, Broadway, and more. This 382-seat venue offers pristine acoustics and an intimate setting that artists and audiences love.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Lead technical advancing and production logistics for events, coordinating with touring personnel and internal departments
• Oversee execution of events, ensuring effective coordination of production elements and resolution of issues as they arise
• Prepare and maintain show-specific production documentation, including event schedules and detail sheets
• Maintain venue technical information and reference materials used for production planning and advancing
• Coordinate backline and production equipment rentals as needed for all assigned concerts
• Supervise union stagehands, freelance crew, seasonal staff, and interns as applicable; ensure accurate and timely completion of union payroll
• Provide onboarding, training, and ongoing guidance for Production Coordinators and seasonal/variable personnel
• Maintain high standards of production quality, safety, and organization
• Support Directors of Production on maintenance and capital improvement projects; including research and recommendations within a budget and timeline
• Collaborate with Program and Production teams to maintain and develop production databases
• Other duties as assigned

Filene Center Season Responsibilities

• Lead the technical advancing process for performances, working directly with touring production teams to gather, interpret, and confirm all technical and logistical requirements
• Develop and manage production schedules and labor plans in coordination with touring production teams and department heads, including negotiation of work calls, staffing levels, and day of show timelines to align with venue requirements and labor agreements
• Coordinate load in planning, staging, and site logistics, including truck and bus parking, load in sequencing, and day of show operations
• Interpret technical riders and production requirements and translate them into production documentation and event materials using established systems and templates, including schedules and show specific detail sheets
• Facilitate communication between touring production teams, house crew, and internal staff to ensure aligned execution of all production elements
• Coordinate with Box Office and internal teams to address seating changes related to production needs, including sightlines and front of house equipment placement
• Lead on site production operations, directing load in, performance, and load out activities, resolving real time technical, logistical, and operational issues, and managing labor resources during load out to maintain efficiency and control costs
• Oversee show execution, including monitoring production quality and managing event timing to ensure compliance with curfews and operational constraints
• Enforce adherence to production schedules, including work calls, breaks, and dark stage requirements
• Collaborate with the Director of Production to assign event coverage and support seasonal planning, including participation in hiring of Production Coordinators
• Manage union labor tracking and payroll in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement
• Maintain lighting plots, ground plans, elevations, and section drawings of the Filene Center in Vectorworks.
• Ensure completion of production reports
• Complete weekly payroll review and coordinate final submission with the Director of Production

The Barns Season Responsibilities

• Serve as promoter representative for events, acting as the primary point of contact for artists and touring personnel and leading event execution from advance through settlement
• Advance events, coordinating technical, logistical, and hospitality information across internal departments and artist teams
• Coordinate event logistics, including load in planning, equipment setup, and vendor support appropriate to venue operations
• Lead event execution, directing load in, setup, performance, and load out activities while ensuring alignment with production plans and venue standards
• Perform in a technical role as needed and assigned by Director of Production, The Barns, including A1, A2, or LD, while maintaining overall responsibility for event execution
• Supervise freelance crew and interns, providing direction during event setup, execution, and strike
• Support internal programming and special events, adapting production plans to meet a range of event formats
• Maintain organization, readiness, and inventory of production equipment and systems, and assist the Director of Production in tracking equipment needs and procurement planning

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

• Associate’s degree preferred; minimum 5-7 years’ experience in light, sound, and AV production in an amphitheater, arena, theater, club, convention center, or road show environment
• Minimum of 5 years of management experience
• Demonstrated experience in stage management technical direction, scenery construction, sound reinforcement and lighting
• Experience advancing, coordinating and executing multiple performance genres including but not limited to: Rock/Popular, Orchestral/Symphonic, Dance, Theater, Film, Festivals, Broadcast and corporate events
• Preferred background in Lighting Design and/or as a Master Electrician for venues

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

• Must have strong working knowledge of equipment stage craft and theatrical production as well as a strong attention to detail and ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to support productions across a wide range of scales, from emerging artists to major touring acts
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, lighting and audio plots, ground and rigging plans, and riders for stage presentations
• Must have working knowledge in Vectorworks
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern digital and analog production sound, lighting and AV technologies
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt to changing conditions and develop solutions
• Demonstrated understanding of union environments including the ability to understand and interpret union contracts, resolve disputes and manage workers consistently and fairly
• Proven leadership and project management ability in the performing arts
• Familiarity with M365 for Business, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, SaaS and database management
• Sensitivity and commitment to the mission of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
• Regularly operates a computer and other office equipment (i.e. calculator, copier, printer, etc.)
• Lift/move 50 pounds frequently and 100 pounds occasionally
• Occasionally required to stoop, bend and reach with arms
• Frequently ascends/descends ladders
• Must be able to work in outdoor environments for extended hours on evenings and weekends

Qualified candidates may apply here .

We’re pleased to consider applicants who will physically live in Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia if hired. The Foundation does not offer fully remote work for any full-time, seasonal, or variable positions. Applicants who reside in any other state are required to relocate to Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia prior to starting work for Wolf Trap Foundation.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment that embraces and encourages different perspectives. We work to reflect and be representative of the communities in which we serve and in which we reside. Qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans who need assistance or an accommodation in our job application processes should contact [email protected]. An offer of employment is contingent on successfully passing a background check.

Compensation is commensurate with experience. We offer an outstanding benefits package that includes fully-paid medical and dental premiums for employees and their dependents, 20 paid holidays, generous Annual/Sick/Personal Leave, 403(b) match, flexible work hours and more.