Interim Production Shops Manager

Interim Production Shops Manager 

Performance Operations - Production

College of the Performing Arts

Join The New School 

At The New School, we redefine the boundaries of education, creativity, and innovation. Founded in 1919 and located in the heart of New York City, we are home to over 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, including Parsons School of Design, The New School for Social Research, Eugene Lang college of Liberal Arts, Parsons Paris, and the College of the Performing Arts. Our progressive, interdisciplinary approach has earned us recognition as one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.

POSITION/ROLE OVERVIEW

The College of Performing Arts at The New School is seeking a highly qualified Interim Production Shops Manager to join the Production Area within the Performance Operations Department. Reporting to the Producer of Theatre & Opera, the Interim Production Shops Manager is responsible for all theatrical technical direction at the College of Performing Arts and theatrical facilities management at The New School’s Bank Street building. This includes but is not limited to drama mainstage productions, operas, ensemble concerts, experimental productions, external performance partnerships, and musicals.

The Interim Production Shops Manager advises on technical strategies, schedules, and budgets for assigned theater and opera productions. The Interim Production Shops Manager plays a key role in uniting theatrical logistics with curricular experiences throughout the College of Performing Arts, and building and maintaining relationships with current faculty, students, external partners, designers, staff and other University departments. The successful candidate will be a strong leader and collaborator who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly team-oriented environment.

This is a full-time interim position with a projected start date of January 26, 2026 and with an end date of June 30, 2026. This position has access to the comprehensive full-time employee benefits package offered by The New School.

CORE CAPABILITIES, PRIMARY DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Direction

• Lead and direct the technical design, drafting, engineering, and building of scenic elements for College of Performing Arts productions; prepare build drawings for in-house scenic construction.

• Review scenic design submissions, evaluate their proposed costs and technical feasibility, and approve final proposals.

• Attend all production meetings to advance shows, and confer with designers to meet all proposed deliverable deadlines.

• Collaborate with department heads on integrating all theatrical elements into assigned productions.

Operations Management

• Purchase, track, and reconcile departmental expenses including but not limited to: personnel labor, carpentry and scenic supplies and materials, and other miscellaneous goods.

• Recruit, hire, and supervise seasonal and overhire employees within the Scenic Department.

• Assist Production Management in generating overhire trucking shifts and schedules to address interdepartmental transportation needs for all productions.

Facilities Maintenance & Safety

• Maintain the upkeep of all Bank Street production shops, inventories, equipment, costumes, and offsite storage facilities. 

• Collaborate with Performance Operations leadership on managing seasonal production calendars, technical/facilities needs, and capital improvement requests.

• Ensure all fire, health, and safety permits, audits, and procedures meet regulatory compliance standards with University and offsite venue contacts.

Miscellaneous

• Additional duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Three to five-plus years previous experience in theatrical technical direction is required.

• Exceptional leadership and management skills .

• Capability to navigate challenging situations diplomatically. 

• Interpersonal skills to effectively engage with all colleagues and collaborators in a productive, professional manner.

• Knowledge of theatrical safety pro