Associate Director, Venue & Production Management

Duke University:

 

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

 

Scope of Responsibilities 

The Venue and Production Management (VPM) staff will work closely with university departments, presenters, students, and external users to execute events, productions, artists in residence, master classes, performances, screenings, and student-focused programming. The team strives to support and enhance the spaces that support exceptional student, faculty and community engagement for arts programming, academic support, and interdisciplinary initiatives. This position is an integral part of the management team, overseeing the staff of production technicians. This position is responsible for collaborating with stakeholders, managing productions, events, and film presentations in major campus performances venues, with a primary focus on West Campus locations. Primary venues include Page Auditorium, Reynolds Industries Theater, Sheafer Lab Theater, Griffith Film Theater, and additional major campus venue facilities as needed. This position is responsible for the central equipment inventory system. This role is vital for the smooth operation of events and performances, requiring a combination of technical expertise, organizational skills, and effective communication with various stakeholders. This position is dedicated to students, faculty, campus partners, and community engagement in order to create a vibrant and inclusive arts community on campus.

 

Duties

 

• Events: Manage the coordination of West Campus venues with relevant teams to ensure all technical requirements for events are met. Ensure event checks, technical support, and rehearsals are completed to identify and address issues proactively. Act as a point of contact for troubleshooting and problem resolution for production team. Address any unexpected issues promptly and efficiently to minimize disruptions. Ensure documentation is completed pre- and post-event. Prioritize presence at events, especially with high complexity, unique technical requirements, or strategic importance. 25%

 

• Team: Manage a staff of nine (9) full time experienced production technicians, and two (2) part-time technicians. Set clear performance goals and provide constructive feedback regularly. Approve time away, timecards, and staff management. Perform staff evaluations and other administrative responsibilities as needed. Assist in the scheduling of staff and resources for all events. Assist in the supervision and coordination of local union crew (IATSE), students, and external users for events, ensuring seamless execution. Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture, encouraging professional and collaborative outreach and development among peer institutions to share best practices. 25%

 

• Communication: Develop and maintain transparent communication channels to facilitate accurate and consistent information sharing among all relevant parties. Deliver regular updates and pertinent news to unit staff and campus partners, ensuring they stay informed and engaged. Foster open and continuous communication with management, reporting ongoing issues, addressing concerns, and highlighting team accomplishments. Acknowledge and celebrate team achievements to promote a positive and collaborative work environment. 20%

 

• Liaison: Act as the primary liaison for the Department of Theatre Studies (Department) and recognized Duke Student Organizations (Student Orgs). For the Department, establish a strong working relationship with production and directing faculty to develop production timelines and outcomes based on the current Memorandum of Understanding. For Student Orgs, partner with Student Involvement and Leadership to ensure that the guidelines and policies for student organizations are followed; participate in relevant workshops or training sessions to stay updated on best practices. Create and maintain open communication channels with all entities. Schedule regular meetings with rep