Director of Production

Director of Production

• Position Profile

About the Opportunity

The Shed, one of New York City’s most prestigious cultural institutions, seeks to hire their next Director of Production. A member of the senior leadership team, this individual will have the opportunity to collaborate with groundbreaking artists from around New York City and the world, be a part of the organization’s evolution, and guide a talented production team. Currently celebrating their fifth year, the team at The Shed is in the midst of strengthening systems and production practices to bolster their own productions, elevate their presentations from around the world, further the Open Call program, and support a wide range of corporate and nonprofit entities who utilize their spaces throughout the year. The Director of Production will be central to the planning and execution of the organization’s artistic programming and revenue-generating external events. This position requires a great deal of diplomacy, prioritization, authority, and multi-tasking, while taking care to maintain open and respectful relationships throughout the organization.

About The Shed

The Shed’s Mission:

The Shed is a new cultural institution of and for the 21st century. We produce and welcome innovative art and ideas, across all forms of creativity, to build a shared understanding of our rapidly changing world and a more equitable society. In our highly adaptable building on Manhattan’s west side, The Shed brings together established and emerging artists to create new work in fields ranging from pop to classical music, painting to digital media, theater to literature, and sculpture to dance. We seek opportunities to collaborate with cultural peers and community organizations, work with like-minded partners, and provide unique spaces for private events. As an independent nonprofit that values invention, equity, and generosity, we are committed to advancing art forms, addressing the urgent issues of our time, and making our work impactful, sustainable, and relevant to the local community, the cultural sector, New York City, and beyond.

The Shed’s History:

In 2005, the administration of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg preserved a parcel of city-owned land on West 30th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues, adjacent to the High Line, for future cultural use as part of the redevelopment of the Far West Side of Manhattan. Dan Doctoroff, the deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding, spearheaded the effort to determine what should go there. Working closely with Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin, they agreed that flexibility—physical and programmatic—would allow for a new kind of cultural organization, one which would complement the rich array of cultural entities already in New York. The City issued a Request for Proposals in 2008, calling for a “unique and innovative place for creative expression and the deepest, freshest thinking regarding cultural production and consumption”—a place where artists, thinkers, and makers across all disciplines could create work that would not or could not be realized anywhere else.

The City selected Diller Scofidio + Renfro as the lead architect, with Rockwell Group as the collaborating architect, to develop their concept for a flexible structure that could house all the creative disciplines under one roof. In 2011, their design was unveiled: a stack of column-free exhibition and performance spaces encased by a telescoping outer shell that could double the footprint of the building for large installations, performances, and events when deployed over an adjacent plaza, or uncover a large open-air space for performances, exhibitions, and gatherings when nested. In 2015, the Board of the newly formed organization appointed Alex Poots, the director of the Manchester International Festival and the artistic director of the Park Avenue Armory, as The Shed’s founding artistic director and CEO.

Under Poots’s leadership, the name of the organization was shortened from Culture Shed to The Shed and the building’s design was modified to be more flexible, especially for performance. The Shed opened to the public on April 5, 2019. Since opening, The Shed has grown New York’s cultural landscape by supporting established and emerging artists who are advancing art forms and by collaborating with like-minded partners, cultural peers, and community organizations. Producing and welcoming innovative art and ideas, The Shed’s ever-evolving program has included immersive experiences, groundbreaking theater, major visual art exhibitions, pop and classical music concerts, and more.

Job Description

The Shed seeks a Director of Production to oversee and work closely with the producers, curators, and creative teams to design and oversee all technical aspects of the production process for both artistic productions and external events. The Director of Production should demonstrate an aptitude and willingness to brainstorm creative strategies for and solutions to productions and events still in their concept and development phase; to research new technologies and equipment; and to think outside the box with the artists, Artistic Director, Chief Executive Producer, artistic staff, and producers to realize these programs.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Producer, the Director of Production will have strong budgetary and personnel management skills, work well under short time constraints, and be able to pivot easily from one task or idea to another, working on all events from concept to load out. They should be experienced with all aspects of technical production and comfortable making managerial decisions where required. They have three direct reports and two additional team members under those direct reports.

Experience in all performing arts genres, as well as event production experience, is essential, as is an open, creative approach to the production process. As The Shed is a union-house with a contract with IATSE Local One, the Director of Production will be required to collaborate and negotiate with the union. In addition, sensitivity to varying artists’ and clients’ needs and patience amidst changing priorities will help immeasurably in this position. A flexible schedule is a requirement and patience and a good-natured attitude will be important. International experience is a plus.

Essential Responsibilities

● Manage all production personnel including full-time staff members, stage labor, and freelance production personnel
● Lead the advance planning work for future productions (reviewing technical specs, creating appropriate budgets, charting out logistics, and outlining feasibility) in order to ensure that internal producers and external creative teams are aware of possible constraints
● Closely collaborate with the artists, designers, producers, curators, and technical teams working at The Shed to understand their design goals and effectively plan and oversee construction and eventual execution
● Supervise Production staff throughout load-ins, builds, technical rehearsals, performances, strikes, and the restoration of the space, following productions and events, encompassing seating and staging, lighting, rigging, and sound installations
● Creation and execution of top-level production schedules, calendars, and detailed logistics plans
● Prepare all production budgets including but not limited to labor estimating, material costs; research items and rental equipment and manage the reconciliation following close of production
● Frequently communicate with designers and technical teams to meet budgets and schedules
● Manage project overview drawings
● Review design drawings for translation into technically useful drawings for shops and for load-in purposes
● Create a timeline of technical and design deliverables for shops and contractors; ensure that deadlines are met to keep production preparations on track
● Research and propose materials to meet the needs of design teams
● Obtain quotes from shops/vendors for all production elements
● Coordinate meetings with shops to discuss bids and work through technical details
● Hire and schedule the appropriate amount of labor needed for each build and event
● Advise the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and Chief Executive Producer in union contract matters and participate in the negotiation of all theatrical union collective bargaining agreements
● Negotiate and contract vendors and subcontractors
● Identify technical, budgetary, and time-related issues and propose solutions
● Manage the creation of project documentation and tech riders to collect all relevant technical information about each project for internal reference and potential transfers
● Manage the technical production department budget (departmental operations and purchasing, IT, other administrative costs, etc.)
● Manage maintenance, storage and inventories of all Shed-owned, production-related equipment
● Develop long-term capital equipment purchase recommendations and costs

Qualifications and Qualities

● Bachelor’s degree in theater production or similar; master’s degree in technical / design field preferred
● Ten years of experience in a management position in theatrical or event production
● Demonstrated broad and deep knowledge of theater production and entertainment technology, including lighting and design, sound reinforcement and recording, video sources and projection, rigging, carpentry, properties and stagecraft
● Passion for and experience in a broad range of artistic practices including performing arts, experimental performance, visual arts and music
● Ability to think strategically for the production department, maintaining a focus on long-term planning, coupled with a keen awareness of day-to-day operations
● Proficient in Vectorworks for generating all types from drawings from 2-D simple plans and sections to 3-D renderings and detailed construction drawings; experience with AutoCAD for analyzing designer drawings is very helpful
● Significant experience with creating and managing budgets and schedules, managing labor crews and logistics plans
● Well-versed in collective bargaining agreements with theatrical unions, including IATSE, Teamsters, SAG Aftra, Actor’s Equity, etc.
● Experience in the New York City performing arts market preferred
● Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and multitask

Compensation

The salary for this position is $150,000-175,000. The Shed’s benefits package is designed to support well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. They offer four weeks of paid vacation per year (accrued monthly), with the flexibility to carry over unused time. Comprehensive health benefits include 100% employer-paid medical coverage for employees, along with dental and vision insurance, with 50% of premiums covered for the employee and their dependents. Starting on an employee’s first day, they are welcome to contribute to the 403(b) retirement plan and take advantage of Flexible Spending Accounts to use pre-tax dollars for healthcare, childcare, commuting, and more.

The Shed’s team currently operates three days in the office and two days remote. However, this position, as well as the production staff, must be responsive to the production and external events calendar for The Shed, which does require more time onsite. In addition, some evening and weekend work should be expected.

The Shed is dedicated to building an equitable environment that is mixed across lines of difference and strongly encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, transgender, and nonbinary candidates.

This position will remain open until filled and until a diverse and qualified pool of candidates is identified. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the arts field are strongly encouraged to apply. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

Application Instructions

The Director of Production search is being conducted by The Shed with support from Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, a New York-based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries.

To apply, visit the online application (https://tinyurl.com/j6k8e62b) and submit your materials.
Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the job profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications that may not be present in your resume.

Applications will be accepted until this role is filled. We encourage you to apply by August 11, 2025, for priority consideration. Interviews may begin at any time, and we encourage you to apply as early as possible for best consideration. Please note that applying before the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview, and all applicants will receive a response regarding the consideration and status of their candidacy. No phone calls, please.

A note from TOCG: Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that cis men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you’re taking the next step in your career path, looking to transition, or returning to work after a gap in employment, we will be glad to have you on our radar.