Assistant Production Manager - Seasonal

Ravinia is both North America's longest-running not-for-profit music festival and its most artistically diverse. Over 100 different events by a mix of classical, rock, pop, jazz, R&B, indie, and country performers make up a typical summer season on our two open-air and two indoor stages. Each year the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is featured in six weeks of concerts, many with Chief Conductor Marin Alsop. During the same summer months, the Ravinia Steans Music Institute provides young professional classical and jazz musicians with career-advancing training and concert settings. 

Offstage and year-round, Ravinia's Reach Teach Play education programs engage 75,000 children and adults-in schools with little to no music curriculum, in our Chicagoland communities, and at our 36-acre park-in our mission to make music equitably accessible to all.

Ravinia embraces diversity in all forms and is committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment for all staff, musicians, guest artists, audiences, and community members. Ravinia is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply.

Ravinia is seeking an Assistant Production Manager whose main focus, alongside the Production Manager, will be on the Festival's non-classical events presented throughout the 2024 summer season. This includes performances in genres such as; rock, R&B, pop, country, hip hop, children's music, and dance. This position directly oversees performances that are considered part of the Kids Concert Series, performances that take place on Ravinia's Carousel Stage, and some mainstage non-classical performances.  

Duties

• Support the distribution of artist contracts and riders to the Production Department and union stagehands
• Support the Production Manager and union stagehands with the technical advance for events (eg. run-of-show schedules, tracking backline requirements and rentals as dictated by artist contracts and riders, scheduling mandatory stagehand breaks) 
• Distribute weekly internal emails with performance-related information (eg. security needs, buses/trucks, concert timings, artist signings) 
• Lead the technical advance for all Kids Concert Series, Carousel Stage, and select mainstage non-classical performances
• Lead the non-technical advance for all Kids Concert Series and Carousel Stage performances with the aid of other Production and Artistic staff (eg. catering/hospitality, artist transportation logistics, guests lists)
• Serve as stage manager for all Kids Concert Series, Carousel Stage, and select mainstage non-classical performances
• In coordination with the Production Manager and Artist Services Manager, draft, circulate for approval, and finalize run-of-show schedules for all non-classical events 
• Serve as a point person alongside the Production Manager in handling artist and Ravinia related security needs (eg. relaying artist/concert security needs to Ravinia Security team, discussing Ravinia security protocols with artist team, coordinating artist vehicle arrival and departure needs)
• Help oversee the day to day backstage Production Department operations in partnership with the Production Manager, Production Operations Manager, and Production Coordinator (eg. oversee department Production Assistants, artist transportation, hospitality setting) 
• Coordinate and oversee mandatory union stagehand meal breaks (including placing orders, ensuring timing accuracy and headcounts)
• Coordinate tour/venue identification/credential needs and create pass sheets to be distributed at pre-show security meetings
• Assist the Production Manager in guiding approved Explosive Detection K9 units through backstage 
• Help as needed on special performances throughout the summer (eg. Ravinia's Breaking Barriers Festival, Fiesta Ravinia)
• Provide supplemental driving help to Production Department with artist transportation and errands as needed
• Act as main receptionist/dispatch for Production Department as needed

Compensation

Weekly salaried (exempt) mid-May through mid-September. Thirty to seventy hours per week based on concert schedule. Some meals provided. Monthly cell phone stipend.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Background in music and/or concert production/stage management
• Some knowledge of the technical aspects of concert production
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills 
• Experience supervising staff
• The ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Available to work outside of normal business hours (position requires extensive nights and weekends)
• Experience with Google Sheets and G-Suite file management
• Clean driving record
• Foreign language speakers are encouraged to apply

Applicants Must Attach:

• a cover letter
• resume

There are no technical/on-stage aspects to this position. All hiring is contingent upon receipt of an approved background check. All employees are required to sign an employment agreement and a confidentiality agreement. 

 ** The Assistant Production Manager will primarily report to the Production Manager, but also to the Production Operations Manager, Artist Services Manager, and Senior Artistic Producer. The Assistant Production Manager is not required to be a union member.  

Working Conditions

• Embrace and actively support Ravinia's culture of integrity, professionalism, collaboration, mutual respect and customer focus.
• Work effectively in a fast paced and intense customer focused environment that frequently requires employees at all levels to work evenings and weekends, especially during the summer Ravinia season.
• Office is located at Ravinia, 418 Sheridan Rd. Highland Park, IL

Ravinia is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, Ravinia strongly believes that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is essential to our success. We strive to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment for all our employees. Ravinia does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law. We encourage individuals of all identities and abilities to apply.