ABOUT CITY PARKS FOUNDATION

City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer programs in public parks throughout the five boroughs of New York City. At CPF, we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through arts, environmental education, sports, and community building programs for all New Yorkers. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks mean thriving communities.

• We produce SummerStage, the largest free, outdoor performing arts festival in NYC, presenting world-class artists from across the globe and our own neighborhoods on our mainstage in Central Park and in local parks in all five boroughs, and our Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and roving PuppetMobile present marionette puppet theater throughout New York City.

• Partnerships for Parks, a public-private program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, supports and champions a growing network of community leaders who care and advocate for the transformation of our neighborhood parks.

• We connect youngsters to nature in the urban environment through progressive, experiential teaching. Using parks as classrooms, we provide learning experiences and hands-on activities in urban forests, coastal areas, and gardens.

• Free golf, tennis, track & field, soccer, and fitness programs bring high-quality instruction and equipment into areas where few organized athletic opportunities exist. We offer leveled training, year-round scholarship coaching, and special pro events.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Production Manager for SummerStage in Central Park reports to the Director of Arts Operations and directly oversees the stage production staff, including a Stage Manager, Local One IATSE Stagehands, two Local One IATSE Audio Engineers, and a Production Assistant. The position is responsible for all aspects of venue build (April/May) and strike (October) scheduling and planning, stage production management, advances, activities, and artist relations. The venue produces approximately 50 SummerStage performances (music and dance) annually (both free and ticketed performances) between May and October, along with roughly 15-30 private rentals and events that may include, but are not limited to broadcast TV presentations, graduations, galas, and corporate events.

The ideal candidate will be motivated, energetic, responsible, flexible and enjoy working outdoors. Must be able to work independently and troubleshoot with confidence. Must have excellent communication skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Manager responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Administrative and Advance Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of event production for our Mainstage/Central Park events.

• Gather all pertinent talent, management and/or agency contact information from the Executive Artistic Director (EAD), programming staff, Event and Rental Managers, for all SummerStage programs, including free and ticketed Concerts and other events.

• Prior to the start of the production season, and in coordination with GM, EAD, and programming staff, schedule stage run-of-show timelines for all programs within the season, including setup, sound checks, performances, and strikes.

• Advance all talent, management, agent, and/or clients with the venue’s technical specifications and ensure that they fully understand all venue guidelines, including but not limited to: dB levels, sound checks, curfews, set lengths, in-house equipment, and vehicle policies.

• Work with the programming team and GM to review, negotiate and approve all technical riders before formal offers are made to artists to ensure presentation is appropriate for the venue and is within budget. Procure talent technical requirements for all programs including, but not limited to: backline and hospitality needs.

• Rent equipment required for all programs and schedule all delivery and pick-up times with vendors.

• Work closely with Local One Crew Chief to plan and manage all production-related activities.

• Approve and track all rental expenses and generate a weekly expense report for Operations Manager.

• Attend and actively engage in weekly arts staff meetings.

• Attend occasional meetings with talent, management, agent, and/or clients to advance program details in person.

• Attend NYC Parks (DPR) and Central Park Conservancy (CPC) weekly events meetings

• Coordinate with DPR and CPC on internal and external vehicle movements and parking at the venue.

• In tandem with GM and Director of Operations, schedule stagehand crew calls and track actual payroll hours worked by production staff.

• Notify GM of any stage/production maintenance needs.

• Other duties as required.

Day of Program Responsibilities

• Ensure stagehands work in a safe, efficient, and professional manner.

• Manage and support Stage Manager to: disseminate stage plots and input lists to audio engineers and stagehands; coordinate meal breaks for production crew; set and strike stage; direct sound checks; and adhere to run-of-show schedules and curfews.

• Must have working knowledge of general carpentry experience such as laying marley dance floor, installing pipe and drape, and assembling tents.

• Manage and support Vehicle Escort to coordinate all equipment deliveries.

• Manage and support Production Assistants to coordinate day of show schedules, talent guest list and credential needs.

• Create pass masters for each program.

• Approve artist guest lists for each program (in coordination with programming staff).

• Opens the venue with the GM, Venue Manager and Security supervisor.

OFF-SEASON/YEAR-ROUND

• Work with GM to schedule and oversee build and break down of venue at the start and end of each season.

• Determine the technical needs, such as lighting, sound, staging, and special needs, necessary for each season in advance of venue build each year and conduct bidding to select vendors.

• Administer annual operating budgets for productions including monitoring expenses from all vendors, equipment purchase and repair, supplies, and all other stage production expenses. Track expenses and prepare weekly reports.

• Negotiate service contracts with all stage production vendors including audio, lighting, video, decking vendors etc.

• Update tech pack off-season and ensure that the technical specifications (dB limits, sound checks, curfews, set lengths, sound and lighting equipment, and vehicle policies) are communicated to artists and/or their representatives at time of booking.

  WORKING FOR CITY PARKS FOUNDATION

  Benefits include excellent healthcare and dental packages, vacation, paid holidays, 403(b) Retirement Plan, Transit Check program, life insurance, and flexible spending plan. City Parks Foundation is a collegial, mission-focused organization that values its employees and encourages professional growth and advancement.