Scenic Senior Project Manager - David Stark Design (Brooklyn, NY)
About the job
As a Senior Project Manager, you will be focused on the management of all scenic production and fabrication from conception to installation, provide direction to production staff and hourly associates, and assist in the overall maintenance of shop equipment, materials, tools, and safety protocols in our 15,000 square foot production studio.
The Ideal Candidate
You are an experienced collaborator with a background in scenic fabrication, ideally in the events and experiential marketing industry, and exposure to creative/technical production. You’re a creative strategic thinker, solutions focused, an excellent communicator and have a proven track record for leadership. You’re detail oriented and maintain your sense of poise and organization while multitasking a variety of timely needs. You are dependable, diplomatic, and capable of communicating up, down and sideways.
Key Responsibilities
1.) Production Management
· Oversee the successful execution of all project production, ensuring build elements meet quality standards and are delivered on time.
· Manage and delegate daily assignments to shop team and/or wider studio team.
· Provide feedback to the Director of Studio Production with regards to staff development and performance of part-time employees.
· Identify, foster, and grow part-time talent to groom for full-time positions.
· Establish and maintain production timelines in conjunction with project teams i.e., Producers, Technical Production Managers, and the Director of Studio Production.
· Liaise with the wider project teams to maintain the overall production schedule and create systems for improved workflow and communication.
· Anticipate challenges and come up with feasible solutions that meet project and budget goals.
· Oversee the quality control process for all production in the studio, including craft projects.
· Monitor & track internal work orders and packing list documents for projects.
· Liaise with project teams to ensure all externally sourced elements and materials are received in a timely fashion and checked for errors prior to truck packing.
· Research new tools and techniques that will elevate the quality and innovation of our work.
· Order project related materials and/or supplies when necessary.
· Work closely with the Production & Logistics Manager to plan and coordinate trucking and any other logistical needs for projects.
· Assist in building, managing, and reconciling pre-production & on-site staffing budgets in conjunction with project teams and the Director of Studio Production.
· Work closely with the Staffing Manager to communicate weekly staffing & install/breakdown teams.
· Work closely with Technical Production team to ensure that all DSI builds meet appropriate safety standards.
· Ensure company policies are followed and implemented accordingly.
2.) Install Planning and Management
· Set standards for preparing, distributing design & install documents required for a successful install and ensure on-site crew leads are thoroughly briefed prior to arriving on site.
· Work closely with Producers & Technical Production Managers to develop install/production schedules.
· Attend site inspections of project venue(s) when necessary.
· Oversee and manage load-In, installation and occasionally breakdowns, of large-scale projects to ensure goals, deadlines & overall quality standards are achieved.
· Lead & oversee the installation schedule on-site to ensure milestones and expectations are being met by providing clear direction to the crew.
· Ensure an accident-free work environment by enforcing safety rules and supervising staff when operating equipment and tools on-site.
· Communicate successes and/or challenges to the team via post event pause and learn meetings.
3.) Studio Operations
· Implement and maintain all necessary safety training and code requirements.
· Implement and maintain an effective inventory process to ensure accurate and up-to-date tracking of in-house items, scenic elements, equipment, and tools.
· Monitor studio expenditures for all equipment, tools, and supplies to stay within budget.
· Maintain a sense of community and high morale amongst shop staff and part-timers.
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
· 8+ years of previous work experience in scenic fabrication or similar field.
· A Degree in Theatrical Production, Set Design, Industrial Design, Fine Arts, Sculpture, Painting or related field is strongly preferred.
· Experience in a scenic shop, scenic carpentry, painting (spray, brush, decorative) and basic metal skills a plus.
· Solid understanding of fabrication and ability to read technical drawings and communicate effectively with technical designers and 3D Designers.
· Knowledge of Vectorworks or AutoCAD.
· Experience using Adobe Creative Suite a bonus.
· Excellent computer skills – Microsoft and Google Workspace.
· Excellent interpersonal, listening, and written skills.
· Must be able to communicate effectively with designers and fabrication shop.
· Mastery of problem-solving skills and techniques; demonstrated ability to address problems and resolve conflicts quickly.
· Understanding of audio, video, lighting and rigging requirements.
· Optimistic, positive attitude, proactive and accountable.
· Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously while successfully prioritizing the most important details.
· Constantly question the status quo and believe there is always a way we can continuously improve.
· Overtime/weekend work will be required during busy periods.
· Ability and desire to learn new software, strategies, techniques, and adapt to change.
