Production Manager

SUMMARY

Signature Theatre, a Tony-award winning LORT B theater in the Washington DC metro area, seeks an experienced Production Manager to lead the Production Department as a member of Signature’s Senior Staff. Signature produces seven mainstage productions each season in two flexible-seating black box spaces: the 275 seat MAX Theatre and the 112 seat ARK. Signature Theatre also produces a series of cabarets, a student production through our education department, and facilitates a series of readings and workshops of new works.

The Production Manager oversees all technical and production elements at Signature Theatre, guiding each show from design through closing night. Serving as the key link between creative teams, department heads, and senior leadership, this role ensures every production is delivered safely, on budget, and to the highest artistic standard, while fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for the entire company. This position is a member of Senior Staff and reports to the Managing Director and Artistic Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise the Production Department in the planning, construction, and maintenance of the physical production for all shows.
• Oversee and coordinate the entire production process, from initial design concept to final execution, ensuring seamless and timely communication between internal Production departments, creative teams, and Signature administration to deliver a cohesive and efficient production.
• Coordinate schedules with Department Heads (Scenic, Costumes, Props, Lights, Sound, Stage Management) and creative teams for the successful rehearsal, build, load-in, tech, and performance of company productions, events, new media productions, and Education performances, including setting all standing production meetings and determining additional meetings necessary for a successful creative process. Work with the General Manager to generate show specific and departmental budgets.
• Collaborate with Department Heads and creative teams to bring designs within budgetary and safety constraints, and review and approve all designs.
• Track departmental spending and work with General Manager to generate periodic reprojections of annual budget and cash flow models.
• Contract and hire all union designers across the season.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the local IATSE stagehands union regarding, though not limited to, hiring, policy questions, and labor disputes.
• Promote and maintain a culture of safety and responsible work environment.
• Manage Department Heads and Assistant Production Manager, and oversee Department Heads’ management of their staff.
• Approve weekly payroll for Artistic and Production.
• Collaborate closely with the Artistic Director and Senior Staff to craft a season calendar that supports the company’s vision and ambition, while ensuring feasibility within technical timelines and budgets.
• Develop and update long-range plans for improvement and expansion of theatre equipment and systems.
• Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of productions and their artistic and technical values.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of five (5) years’ production management experience or its equivalent, preferably at a regional theater.
• Proven technical abilities, including experience working on musical productions and world premieres.
• Familiarity in working with labor unions highly desirable.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, with guest artists and colleagues. Signature works closely with individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives; success in this role requires strong emotional intelligence, the ability to navigate challenging conversations with empathy, and the capacity to remain calm and composed under pressure.
• Impeccable organizational skills.
• Proven ability to lead, inspire, and sustain staff in a high demand industry, fostering a culture of resilience and purpose.
• Comfort with Microsoft Office programs and aptitude for adopting new software tools.
• Understanding of advanced scheduling, budgeting and bookkeeping practices. Ability to manage and prioritize among multiple projects simultaneously and drive to meet deadlines.
• Commitment to leading with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility principles.

The ideal candidate will have the following competencies:

• Relationship Builder
• Influential Change Manager
• Empathetic & Diplomatic
• Analytical
• Strategic Decision Maker

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Production Manager position is a full-time, salaried exempt position with an annual salary of $90,000 – $100,000 and an excellent package of benefits, including medical, dental, disability and life insurance; paid vacation, sick and parental leave; as well as complimentary and discount tickets. Signature Theatre is also a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

LOCATION AND IN-OFFICE REQUIREMENTS

The administrative office hours are 10am-6pm Monday through Friday. However, this position will require some work on nights and weekends, particularly during technical rehearsals and previews. Due to the nature of the work, this position works primarily on-site, but does allow for limited remote work as agreed upon by the Managing Director and Artistic Director.

TO APPLY

Email resume and cover letter to jobs@sigtheatre.org.
Please include the phrase, “Production Manager” in your subject line.
No mail or phone submissions, please.

ABOUT SIGNATURE THEATRE

Founded in 1989, Signature Theatre is a Tony Award®-winning regional theater that broadens and brightens the region’s cultural landscape with its bold productions of challenging new and established works and engaging education and outreach programs. Today, attracting talent from the DC metropolitan region, New York and around the country, Signature has grown to reach more than 100,000 people annually from the Washington, DC region and beyond.

Signature Theatre is committed to the professional development of all employees, and we encourage any interested individuals to apply even if you do not believe that you satisfy all of the preferred qualifications.   

Signature Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer who celebrates diversity and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Signature Theatre is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.