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Job Description / Duties

Job Summary
Reporting to the Director and working closely with the Department Manager and the Program Manager, the Production Coordinator is responsible for planning, organizing, executing and managing all technical and production operations of the DAN School of Drama and Music (DAN School). The Production Coordinator provides production direction and is accountable for the safe, effective and efficient delivery of daily logistical activities related to all DAN School productions and events, with a focus on drama, music, opera and musical theatre productions. The incumbent oversees resource administration, facility use and scheduling, equipment acquisition, maintenance and inventory related to productions and events. This position is responsible for theatre facility safety and acts as the Departmental Safety Officer for Theological Hall and those rooms at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts (IBCPA), under DAN School management and works closely with the Department Manager who is the Departmental Safety Officer for Harrison-LeCaine Hall to ensure safety risks are mitigated and all theatre policies, procedures, safety regulations and theatre best practices are observed.

The Production Coordinator serves as a central point of contact, resource and liaison on audiovisual and technical production procedures and methods to stakeholders and partners both at Queen’s and external to the university, facilitating communication between staff, the Technical Director for the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts (IBCPA), contractors, volunteers, and others with a range of technical competencies.

Note: The schedule for this position requires the incumbent to work flexible work hours, including evenings and/or weekends, according to production schedule, program or area needs.
Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Operations Oversight:
• Supervise all operational aspects of the drama and music theatre production and technical process, including human resources, production design and cost estimates, production schedules and activity coordination, props, sets and costumes, video and music management and rehearsal scheduling.
• Work closely with the Department Manager to contract guest professional designers and other production personnel as required. Organize onsite design meetings and designer visits.
• Act as the primary resource person to faculty, staff, and others with a range of technical competencies, on audiovisual, technical production procedures, methods and materials, facilitating communication between designers, directors and staff.
• Oversee the safe storage, inventory and rental operations of specialized theatrical equipment and coordinate rental of production facilities with external users engaged by, or renting from, the DAN School. This includes bookings, setting policies and prices in consultation with the Department Manager, and acting as a key point of contact to orient renters or visiting productions to health and safety practices, production specifications, and other areas of facility operations.
• Manage the master production calendar for all DAN School and rental events, including creating and developing the schedule, updating and maintaining it.
• Participate in the Productions, Concerts and Festivals Committee as well as the Ensemble Managers committee to schedule all DAN School events, including drama productions, music events, special events, rentals and guests. Participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of theatre production activities, including updating and maintaining annual and individual productions schedules and monitoring production deadlines.
• Oversee and safeguard the maintenance and operation of the production aspects of the Dan School, including supervising the use of lighting, sound, video, staging equipment, musical instrument inventory and communication equipment, as well as the use and maintenance of stage facilities.
• Maintain inventory of equipment and order specialized supplies.
• Supervise and facilitate set design and construction, video, sound and lighting design. Devise creative, safe and feasible solutions for the construction, rigging and deployment of set elements for productions. Schedule, design, setup, maintain and operate production systems for theatre, audio-visual, music, and other productions or projects.
• Manage budget for area of responsibility and make recommendations to DAN School leadership regarding capital purchases of production equipment and the annual budget. Participate in budget planning and development. Monitor budget lines associated with casual staff, approve payroll information, and monitor and submit payments associated with maintenance, equipment, repairs and projects. Track all production and show-related expenses and work with the Department Manager to generate rental invoices.
• Determine and advise on the necessary production support, such as lighting, sound, staging and special needs required for Dan School and rental events and performances presented prior to actual production dates. Fulfill rider requirements for visiting productions and events.

Safety Administration
• Maintain documentation of staff and student employee safety and training materials, processes/procedures and evaluation.
• Ensure required safety, industrial, and construction codes and regulations are met; implementing health and safety policies for staff, students and volunteers working in the IBCPA, Harrison-LeCaine Hall and Theological Hall, in collaboration with the other departmental safety officers, and developing and implementing procedures for the use of the theatre facilities and associated equipment. Maintain knowledge of up-to-date employee and labour relations requirements, especially with regards to workplace safety, and implement training sessions and procedures as appropriate to ensure safe and appropriate use of lighting, sound and stage equipment.
• Monitor the use of the theatre facilities and equipment during rehearsals and production, cultivating and promoting a safe working environment in which all theatre policies, procedures, safety regulations and theatre best practices are observed.
• Sit on the Joint Health and Safety Committee for the IBCPA as the DAN School management representative and sit on the DAN School Health and Safety Committee. Act as liaison with Queen’s Environmental Health and Safety by reporting any issues or workplace accidents formally as required, and maintain a comfortable, secure and clean work environment. Recommend changes and support for the department as needed.
• Maintain up-to-date training in WHIMIS, First Aid, Working from Heights, Crane and Hoist and other training that is deemed applicable.
• Assist course-related student groups and student associations with production activity and production scheduling. Provide advice and coordinate student production activities with the DAN School.

Resource Management
• Plan, prioritize and manage the work of employees, including the Wardrobe Coordinator, Assistant Theatre Technician(s), and the Audio-Visual/Instrument Technician, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching; identify the need for staff resources, participate on staffing committees, and make effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
• Manage employee performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
• Assess staff training and development needs and ensure that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
• Investigate, address and resolve employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Make decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge and probationary termination.
• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, assign work and supervise all casual Production Technicians and Production Assistants, students, and volunteers, including Front-of-House support for the Box office when necessary. Coordinate and monitor work-flow.
• Create a positive and inclusive work environment that supports and promotes a culture where a diverse range of ideas and perspectives are encouraged.

Qualifications / Required Skills

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, Drama, Performance Production, Theatre or Performing Arts; or related field.
• Minimum five years experience, preferably in a recognized live performance environment or post-secondary education theatre department.
• Demonstrable experience in drafting, budgeting, purchasing, rigging, construction and advanced shop math.
• Supervisory and staff scheduling experience.
• Extensive knowledge of health and safety practices as they apply to a performing arts environment and applicable training or certification is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of Safety Guidelines for the Live Performance Industry of Ontario, Occupational Health & Safety Act (OH&SA), Ontario Building Code and Fire Code is essential.
• Knowledge and experience in technical aspects of productions, such as design, installation, and operation of audio, lighting, video and communication equipment and systems.
• Experience in stage management and coordination of large-scale events.
• Experience working with artists in a professional performing arts environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing budgets, planning and estimating financial resources required for programs and/or projects.
• Previous experience working with students in a multidisciplinary environment considered an asset.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check required.
• Valid Province of Ontario Class G driver’s license required.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Information

SPECIAL SKILLS
• Customer service, solution orientation and the ability to work well with students, staff, volunteers, guests, contractors and external suppliers.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (effective listening, oral, written, and presentation) to deal with a wide variety of individuals from within the university and the general public
• Demonstrated interest in learning, specifically as it relates to the performing arts.
• Able to work independently on multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision, combined with a high degree of personal initiative, with excellent time management and prioritization skills.
• Thorough familiarity with all aspects of production, with understanding of current production and technical practices within theatre including sound, lighting, projection and set construction.
• Effective capability to analyze and evaluation the need for production support for various events and performances. Ability to conceptualize creative plans and workable solutions for dealing with artistic and production concerns.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to various internal or external groups.
• High level of tact, discretion, and good judgment as well as the ability to deal with sensitive issues in a professional manner.
• Organizational and time-management skills with the ability to effectively prioritize, multi-task and organize work, meet tight deadlines and maintain focus despite frequent interruptions
• Computer knowledge as it relates to lighting, audio, and video design, operation and trouble shooting of equipment. Word processing skills including familiarity with and knowledge of CAD software.
• Ability to operate and instruct on the operation of counterweight rigging system, man lifts, chain motors, cable winches, stage technologies, lighting, audio and video consoles.
• Ability to perform physical duties associated with events and production execution, including climbing ladders, scaffolding, working at heights, and/or regular lifting/moving heavy objects as required.

DECISION MAKING
• Anticipates and proactively implements appropriate solutions to ensure successful programs.
• Makes recommendations on current or new programs, identifying opportunities and improvements as required to ensure the success of the DAN School.
• Optimizes program delivery in a fixed resource environment, makes recommendations on when and where to make production investments, as well as rentals of production equipment when necessary.
• Identifies and determines strategies to optimally leverage existing Production resources within the DAN School.
• Determines when decisions should be referred to the Director. When referring, makes recommendations to resolve the situation.
• Identifies, organizes and works to resolve artist-related issues.
• Decisions related to the safety of equipment and facilities.
• In collaboration with the Director, Program Manager and Department Manager, manages the venue calendar for all events. Assesses the production needs, resolves potential conflicts effectively and involves the Director as necessary.
• Works within the production budget, identifying production costs associated with programming. Makes decisions on unit expenditures and recommends corrective action to resolve budget variances where necessary.
• Makes recommendations to the Director regarding operational efficiencies to support and enhance production operations.
• Prioritizes work to achieve deadlines and manage multiple projects.
• Make recommendations regarding budget and allocation of resources.
• Evaluate job candidates and make effective recommendations on suitable hires, including employees, volunteer, student and casual recruitment.
• Make decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
• Evaluate employee performance and decide on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
• Make effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.
Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at hradmin@queensu.ca.

Salary: $63,131.00/Year

Contact Information

Apply here.

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