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Duke University

Associate Director, Venue & Production Management

📌NC🕑Full-time

2mo

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 representatives to gather information and ensure alignment with the overall goals and objectives. 15%
  • Equipment: Manage the maintenance and repair of equipment and spaces. Based on equipment performance and industry advancements, make recommendations for budgetary allocations to address both short-term and long-term needs. Oversee a centralized equipment inventory system. Keep records of maintenance and replacement cycles for production equipment, performance lighting, audio, and video systems within venues. 10%
  • Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet department, division and university goals and objectives. 5%

Preferred Experience: Five years of progressively increasing responsibility in managing complex organizations, staff supervision and related functions for arts facilities and operations. Prior college and university experience strongly preferred.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Work requires knowledge of comprehensive technical program design and development and theater production equipment normally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program in Production, Technical Theatre or a related field.

Experience

Work generally requires three years progressive experience in OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE technical theatre, institutional audiovisual and media environment or a related area to acquire practical exposure to a variety of technical systems development and management including theater operations, recording studios, microcomputer services and support for special events and other technical needs.

Job Code: 00002165 MANAGER, TECHNICAL SERVICES

Job Level: 12

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.