Sr Manager, Production & Entertainment

Position Title:            Senior Manager, Production & Entertainment             

Department:                Production       

Classification:            Exempt              

Direct Report:            Senior Director, Guest Experience      

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Production & Entertainment serves as the department leader for the Production Department and oversees all Entertainment initiatives at the Aquarium. The Senior Manager, Production & Entertainment will assist the Sr. Director, Guest Experience in the creation and development of the Entertainment programming package and be responsible for the oversight and implementation of all production and design elements to complement and support that programming. The Senior Manager, Production & Entertainment serves as the Operations Leader and primary Production liaison for the in-house Theaters, as well as other Entertainment spaces around the Facility as required/assigned. The Senior Manager, Production & Entertainment is responsible for ongoing support of all Entertainment product and related facilities and assets, and for maintaining the artistic integrity and creative intent for all Guest programming as set by the Creative Team and Georgia Aquarium Senior Leadership.

Responsibilities:

Production & Operations: 

1. Provide management, daily operational control, and maintenance oversight for all aspects of the productions in the each of the Theaters, other Facility Venues, including general Production and Special Event support.
2. Manage, supervise, and support all Production departments and personnel including Stage Management/Admin, Lighting, Audio, Video, Staging/Scenic, Special Effects, Costuming/Props and Performance Personnel.
3. Assist the Sr. Director, Guest Experience in the creation, development and implementation of new presentations, content, and other guest programming/entertainment initiatives as directed by the Senior Leadership team.
4. Develop and maintain Operating Budgets and New Project Production budgets as needed.
5. Adhere to all budget parameters and other financial guidelines as required/directed, including forecasting, and providing contingencies for unexpected needs/situations.
6. Establish and cultivate relationships with Vendors and other Partners to provide necessary services to support and enhance the Artistic and Operational needs of the Entertainment Programming.
7. Set all performance and rehearsal call times and daily venue schedules to support operational needs as required by the GAI Operational / Special Events Calendars.
8. Oversee the preparation of weekly staff schedules.
9. Maintain accurate attendance/ personnel records for all Production staff.
10. Assist in the mentoring, training, and development of all Production personnel.
11. Function as liaison and conduct regularly scheduled production meetings with Production, front of house and back of house team members, Creative Services, Guest Programs, Guest Services, Sales, Events, and other in-house departments as required.
12. Oversee the organized operation of all backstage areas including stage, wings, dressing rooms, work rooms and storage rooms.
13. Coordinate with Plant Engineering on the oversight, proper upkeep and maintenance of the primary Theaters and other Entertainment performance spaces and theater systems/equipment as required.
14. Develop and implement Standard Operating Guidelines for all departments in concert with sub-department leads.
15. Prepare and distribute Venue/Performance Reports as required by the Production.
16. Coordinate and support load-ins, turn-a-rounds and strikes as needed/required.

Production Liaison:

1. Serve as liaison between Production/operations and front of house operations and back of house operations (Ticketing, Usher Staff, Plant Engineering, Environment Operations)
2. Work Closely with Animal Husbandry staff on all animal care needs and safety precautions for animals, handlers, performers, and technicians.
3. Collaborate with Animal Husbandry on all performance, rehearsal, and maintenance schedules.
4. Collaborate with outside consultants, contractors, talent, and technical managers as needed and required.

Maintain Creative Integrity:

1. Manage and supervise all rehearsals, re-blocks, design updates.
2. Create and maintain accurate and comprehensive archival records, cue/call book, blocking and staging information.
3. Maintain strict quality control over the producers,’ directors,’ and designers’ original design and creative vision /intent for all productions.
4. Work with designers and other creative departments/personnel on ongoing development of all productions
5. In addition, the Sr. Manager of Production & Entertainment will establish and maintain Standard Operating Guidelines and ensure adherence to all established rules and regulations.

Standard Operating Guidelines:

1. Oversee the appropriate scheduling for inspection and maintenance of all Performance space sand technical systems to follow established Standard Operating guidelines.
2. Work with Production team to ensure accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive maintenance records are kept.
3. Establish and maintain contingency and emergency procedures pertinent to all areas of Production facility operations, including response and recovery scenario rehearsal as appropriate.

Rules and Regulations:

1. Enforce and adhere to all rules and regulations of the company including but not limited to those outlined in the employee handbook or other documentation.
2. Enforce and adhere to all health and safety standards and regulations.
3. Enforce and adhere to all facility/building codes.
4. Enforce and adhere to OSHA regulations and safety procedures.

1. Participate in Aquarium’s cost reduction, budget, and strategic planning process.

Qualifications:

1. College degree— or equivalent professional work experience
2. Minimum five (5) years’ experience in Live Entertainment and Special Events production and management
3. Minimum three (3) years’ experience in a similar management position
4. Minimum three (3) years’ experiences preparing and maintaining multi-department labor and expense budgets.
5. Minimum three (3) experience with Conceptualizing / Scripting/ Managing the design process for live entertainment and special events content / programming.
6. Possess basic knowledge of all live entertainment, theatrical and special event production, and operations for all departments. Specifically: Scenic/Carpentry, Automation, Special Effects, Video, Audio, Rigging, Lighting and Costuming /Props
7. Ability to analyze and negotiate contracts with vendors.
8. Possess strong office computer skills. Specifically: MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, PowerPoint.
9. Ability to swim and/or comfortable around aquatic environments/water.
10. Creative thinker with effective troubleshooting skills
11. Effective collaborator with the ability to build and nurture professional relationships.
12. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
13. Professional Appearance & Demeanor
14. Possess the highest level of motivation, pride in work and leadership.
15. Remain flexible and available to work long hours, as needed, on a potentially fluctuating schedule, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
16. Excellent ability to organize, manage time and set priorities to meet deadlines and accomplish goals.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.      

Commitment:

I commit to the Georgia Aquarium, Inc. the following:

Vision:  To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

Mission:  Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide.

Values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion

Georgia Aquarium