Position:              Associate Director of Production
Department:      Operations
Reports to:         Vice President of Operations
Classification:   Salaried, Exempt

THE BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and ORCHKIDS

For over a century, the BSO has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. As the largest cultural institution in Maryland, the BSO is internationally recognized and locally admired for its innovation, performances and recordings, and educational community initiatives including OrchKids. Launched in 2008, OrchKids provides children educational resources and fosters social change through the power of music in some of Baltimore’s under-resourced communities.

 

The only major American orchestra to have been founded as a part of its municipality, the BSO is also the only American orchestra with year-round venues in two distinct metropolitan areas, both specifically designed with the orchestra in mind: the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, and the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda.

In July 2022, the BSO once again made history with its announcement that Jonathon Heyward would succeed Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder Marin Alsop as the Orchestra’s next Music Director. Maestro Heyward began his five-year contract in the 2023-24 season.

BSO: AT A GLANCE

•      Operating budget FY 23/24:	Approximately $30 million
•     Orchestra members:	80 Players; 2 Librarians
•     Administrative Staff:	75 Employees
•     OrchKids Program Staff:	75 Team members

JOB SUMMARY
The Associate Director of Production works to ensure production quality and the effective realization of the organization’s artistic vision within the financial parameters set by the board-approved budget. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, the Associate Director of Production manages the production stage crew for all BSO and Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (JMSH) concerts and events, including classical and pops subscription programs, special events, education programs, run-outs, and summer programming. Serving as a member of the Operations department, this position supports the operations of the orchestra and venue from a technical perspective including sound, lighting, staging, and other production elements. Additionally, the Associate Director of Production has primary responsibility for producing all rentals & presentations that take place at the Meyerhoff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Stage Crew
  • Ensure professionalism and productivity of stage crew as well as compliance with AFM and IATSE collective bargaining agreements.
  • Supervise stage crew for all BSO and JMSH events, ensuring all stage work is completed in a safe and timely manner and stagehand labor requirements are fulfilled.
  • Develop and maintain all crew schedules and ensure distribution in adherence to IATSE collective bargaining agreement.
  • Communicate regularly and extensively with the stage crew regarding the needs of the BSO, Meyerhoff, and rental/presentation events.
  • Monitor and record all stage crew hours, breaks, penalties, and overtime. Review stagehand biweekly payroll.
• Orchestra Operations and Production:
  • Manage the BSO’s lighting, sound, video, riser, and other technical needs, working with the Operations department and stage crews at JMSH and Strathmore to ensure technical and production aspects are ready for rehearsals and performances, including arranging for all necessary equipment rentals and purchases.
  • Schedule cargo/equipment transportation for Strathmore and other runout performances.
  • Advance BSO shows from a technical perspective with artists, road managers, and/or technical staff for visiting artists and groups.
  • Lead the creation of the annual stagehand budget; assist with creation of annual production budget.
  • Schedule and monitor vendor deliveries/pickups for all operations/production needs.
  • Lead weekly production meetings with crew and other operations staff.
  • Serve as Manager on Duty for orchestra services and BSO presentations in rotation with other staff.
  • Ensure maintenance of all technical equipment.
  • Work with the Operations team, stage crew, and external contractors on all recording projects (i.e., livestreaming), including technical aspects, stage crew scheduling, and required paperwork.
• Non-BSO Events
  • Work with Director of Venue Sales on technical aspects of all rentals and presentations. These events range in genre and scale, including events such as a speaker series, rental events such as commencements and conferences, and high-profile artists presented at the Meyerhoff without orchestra.
  • Manage production needs for JMSH Rentals and Presentations, working closely with the Director of Venue Sales, stage crew, and rental clients.
  • Advance events, develop a production timeline and budget for each event, arrange for any technical needs, participate in site visits and walk throughs, and communicate thoroughly and clearly with clients, staff, and stage crew regarding the needs for each event.
  • Work with Advancement and other departments regarding the production and stage crew needs for Pre- and Post-Concert activities, and other non-orchestra services that require technical and stage crew work.
  • Work with Director of Venue Sales and other staff on budgeting, invoicing, and reconciliation for events.
• Other duties as assigned.

 QUALIFICATIONS AND CAPABILITIES

• A minimum of three to five (3-5) years increasingly responsible stage/production management experience.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to exercise sound judgment.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment while maintaining high quality and high safety standards.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated technical production experience at a strong level.
• Must demonstrate a flexible and collaborative work style and have the ability to interact professionally with a wide variety of constituents.
• Demonstrated experience with labor union practices and labor relations required.
• Knowledge and experience with collective bargaining agreements, contracts, stage lighting, rigging, sound; familiarity with theater practices, equipment, and facilities.
• Knowledge of classical music and symphonic repertoire.
• Evening and weekend work is required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Competitive salary negotiable, commensurate with qualifications and experience
• Health insurance: two options to choose from; all at low cost to the employee
• Dental, Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance, paid entirely by the BSO
• Generous paid time off, including annual, personal and sick leave
• 403(b) Plan
• Health Savings Account, employer contributes portion
• Flexible Spending Accounts, including Medical and Dependent Care
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free/discounted tickets to BSO concerts

 HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to opsjobs@bsomusic.org.

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences of relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

THE BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, differing physical abilities, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

APPENDIX I:  BSO MISSION

The BSO performs the highest quality symphonic music of all eras that nurtures the human spirit. The BSO is committed to engaging, inspiring, educating, and serving diverse audiences and to enhancing the State of Maryland as a cultural center of vitality and importance.”

APPENDIX II:  BSO SHARED VALUES

In October 2021, the BSO Board of Directors approved the following shared values, or “BSO Creed”:

CREATIVITY

• We believe the BSO is first and foremost an artistic institution that is dedicated to the finest creative musical expression.
• We seek to facilitate opportunities for creative approaches that allow musicians, staff, board, and partners to collaborate to serve our mission.
• We strive to inform all decisions with our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

RESPECT  

• We believe the BSO should value, appreciate, and treat all individuals – patrons, staff, musicians, guest artists, and volunteers with compassion, respect, and dignity.
• We seek to create a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable environment for all.
• We strive to embrace all human differences and commit to caring and civility towards all with whom we work and serve.

EXCELLENCE   

• We believe it is an honor to present great music to stir and nurture the soul.
• We seek to attract, develop, and retain the best talent in all musicians, staff, board, and volunteers. Everyone who works at the BSO has an important role to play in our success.
• We strive to act with uncompromising integrity and transparency.

ENGAGEMENT / EDUCATION  

• We believe deep connections to the diverse communities we serve are essential to our mission.
• We seek to inspire and educate with powerful and meaningful musical experiences for audiences of all ages.
• We strive to nurture the talents of musicians of all ages with accessible educational initiatives and programs.
• We strive to create a culture where musicians, staff, board, and volunteers communicate, collaborate, understand, and appreciate each other’s work.

DIVERSITY

• We believe diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging – with respect to race, gender, and personal identity – are cultural and strategic imperatives.
• We seek to create a culture of excellence that ensures access and inclusion of diverse voices in all that we do.
• We strive to use the universal language of music to bring people together and embrace our multicultural society.