Performance Venue Production Manager

Goshen College is a Christian liberal arts institution that prepares students to thrive
in life, leadership and service. We strive to model an inclusive community committed to transformative justice, peace, and sustainability. A respect and appreciation of the Anabaptist-Mennonite faith perspective and practices, and a commitment to the mission, vision, core values and community standards of Goshen College, are important for teaching and administrative faculty members.

Position Summary:

The Performance Venue Production Manager (PVPM) will work closely with the Events Office, Music Center, various internal departments as well as external clients, to oversee all aspects of events occurring in Goshen College’s performance venues (Sauder Concert Hall, Rieth Recital Hall, and Umble Center).  The PVPM will oversee the communication flow and related processes between service providers, both internal and external, and event coordination and staffing for events held in these spaces. The PVPM will also serve as the main Goshen College representative at these events, ensuring that institutional policies are followed, especially in the event of an emergency. In many cases, the PVPM will also serve as the “face of Goshen College” to the many external clients, VIP’s & donors, patrons, and prospective students along with their supporters that visit campus each year.

This position may also be responsible for other ad hoc locations that require production management such at the RFC for Commencements and assist the Events Office with summer programming. The primary work hours for this position will include evening and weekend hours.

Essential Functions:

Performance Venue Production Management

• Serve as the primary Goshen College representative responsible for the overall experience and safety of the patrons, performers and staff in all situations in the performance venues.
• Manage the event coordination process for events scheduled in the performance venue spaces on campus.
  • Assess technical riders and/or event scope and provide feedback to clients (internal departments & external) on anticipated rental and additional staffing needs associated with performance.
  • Communicate with clients (internal departments and external) to determine needs for the event, including AV services, staffing, setups, catering, custodial needs, ushers,  load in/strike and flow of show schedules.
  • Facilitate communication flow with all the appropriate on and off campus service providers this includes AV, catering, piano tuning, etc.
  • Prepare the venue (including house, stage, green room, lobby etc.) for performers.
  • Schedule student staff and volunteers to work the performances, including set-up, show and strike.
• Maintain and update procedures related to event management, venue safety, and emergency procedures for the performance venues, ensuring that they are followed before, during and after an event.
• Maintain and implement a system for sending work orders and scheduling appropriate student staffing including volunteer ushers for performance venue events.
• Provide instruction and training to applicable students, faculty and staff on operations, security, maintenance, and safety procedures in venues.
• Coordinate closely with Campus Technical Director (TD)  to ensure training of best practices and coordinated efforts for performance venue events technical staffing and set-ups/strikes in venues.
• In collaboration with the TD, the PVPM is responsible for house management,  student staff and coordinating ushers for Theater Department performances.
• Collaborate with Music Department faculty and staff to ensure smooth presentation of departmental recitals and large ensemble performances.
• Work closely with the Box Office to track expected attendance, reserve appropriate seating, comp tickets and any other ticket-related items.
• Assess and evaluate the event management process related to performance venue spaces and maintain good documentation – including room capacities, equipment inventory, safety procedures, room usage, technical information, piano tuning, custodial, etc.
• Maintain and retrieve data related to expenditures, schedules, production estimates, attendance and other matters as requested.

Events Office Responsibilities

• Attend weekly Events Office production meetings to share information with Events, TD and ITS Media staff.
• Coordinate and communicate closely with the Events Office regarding external rentals and summer programs to be held in the performance venues.
• Assist Events Office with summer program planning, lodging components and implementation of space use.
• As requested, advise the Director of Planning & Events on date requests and feasibility for venue scheduling purposes.
• Coordinate and run house management duties for Commencement including training volunteer ushers and updating emergency procedures.
• Work closely with custodial, Executive Director of the Music Center  and the Facilities team in the maintenance of the Music Center.

Supervision Responsibilities

• Recruit, hire, train, schedule and supervise all venue staff.  This includes up to 30  venue staff, including student workers and volunteers.  Venue staff include house managers, stage managers, light operators and ushers.
  • Maintain a recruiting, hiring and training program for each of these positions.
  • Supervise employees on the job, including providing routine evaluations to assess levels of responsibility and quality of work.

Education and/or Experience

• B.A. required, preferably in arts or communication related field.  Additional training in arts management is encouraged.
• 2+ years of experience in arts management or teaching, stage management, or other closely related field required.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

Valid driver’s license required, CPR certification required,  First Aid certification preferred

Skills Required

• Excellent critical thinking skills and the ability to problem solve quickly and independently.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to teach concepts and operational skills.
• Excellent people and customer service skills with the ability to deal with tense situations.
• Familiarity with venue technologies and be able to operate, and provide minor repairs for the following equipment: Theatrical lighting equipment, counterweight rigging system, acoustical cloud controls, acoustical drapery controls, communication systems, sound system.
• Ability to be flexible, learn quickly, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent organizational skills required.
• Must be available evenings and weekends.
• Helpful to know the following: Microsoft Office, Google Apps,  Visio, Event pro.

Physical Demands

• Stooping, crawling, reaching, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, climbing, maneuvering in tight spaces.
• Must be comfortable working at heights (40+ Ft.) and be able to lift 50+ lbs.
• Majority light active work with periodic heavy load lifting.
• Very heavy visual acuity and being aurally aware of the environment for monitoring operations with regard to safety and quality of environment.
• Job requires communicating in large venues without the use of amplification.

Work Environment/Environmental Condition

Mostly indoors, occasional work with hazardous materials and cleaning chemicals, sawdust, styrofoam dust, heavy items suspended above personnel, occasional work at dangerous heights. Will work with computers, two-way radio, software, power tools, lighting and audio equipment, proprietary venue control systems (curtains, rigging, lighting).

All of the essential job functions are subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. This position may change at the option of the supervisor and any major change will result in the position being reviewed for reclassification.

Salary and Benefits

• Health insurance (employee premium 100% covered)
• Dental, vision, life and LTD insurance
• Retirement plans
• Tuition discounts
• Professional development
• Free employee membership to Recreation/Fitness Center
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid holidays and sick leave

See our website for additional benefits information

About Goshen College

Goshen College is a nationally-ranked college and Hispanic-Serving Institution in Indiana renowned for its distinctive hands-on, real-world educational opportunities, and its commitment to creating positive change in the community and the world. The college offers over 65 undergraduate areas of study; as well as best-in-class graduate programs in nursing, business administration, social work and environmental education. This caring, safe and diverse campus prides itself on providing excellent academic programs that connect arts with sciences, and theory with practice — exposing students to multiple perspectives and encouraging them to think deeply, live creatively and lead purposefully.

The college is located in the City of Goshen in the heart of Elkhart County, within several hours of Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit. Residents of Goshen enjoy a culturally diverse small-town atmosphere with an active arts community, a vibrant and entrepreneurial downtown, the Maple City Greenway network of bicycle paths and affordable housing prices. Learn more at goodofgoshen.com.

How to Apply:

Application materials may be attached to the Professional Staff Application Form or sent electronically to hr@goshen.edu.

Required:

• Complete and submit the online Professional Staff Application
• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• List of three professional references with contact information

E-Verify Statement of Participation

Goshen College participates in E-Verify. If you are hired, we will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Goshen College Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Goshen College is an equal opportunity employer, committed to enhancing diversity across the institution. Goshen College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or any legally protected status. As a religious institution, Goshen College expressly reserves its rights, its understandings of, and its commitments to the historic Anabaptist identity and the teachings of Mennonite Church USA, and reserves the legal right to hire and employ individuals who support the values of the college. To protect the welfare and provide for the safety of the students, employees, visitors, and resources of Goshen College, background checks are conducted by the Office of Human Resources on all new and re-hired employees.

Human Resources
Goshen College
1700 S. Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526-4795

E-mail: hr@goshen.edu
Telephone: (574) 535-7111