Production Manager / Producer

Job Title:               Production Manager / Producer

Status:                  Regular full-time position, exempt, five days per week

Schedule:         Tue–Sat, 9:30am–5pm. Mon–Fri when galleries closed. In-person position with some remote flexibility. Evenings and additional weekend days as needed. Rotating on-call duties as required

Reports to:         Curator and Manager of Curatorial Affairs

Direct reports:   Art handlers and other contract production staff

Salary:                  $75,000–$82,000, with generous benefits

The Production Manager / Producer is a key member of the curatorial department at Arts and Letters, responsible for the production of 5–7 exhibitions and 8–10 events annually. The role spans project management and hands-on production — developing timelines, managing external contractors, fabricators, and technical teams, supervising art handlers, and coordinating art shipping and transit logistics. They work in close collaboration with curators and artists across multiple concurrent projects at different stages of production. The Production Manager / Producer brings extensive technical knowledge of fabrication, art handling, and exhibition technologies, and moves fluidly between managing and doing. The Production Manager reports to the Curator and Manager of Curatorial Affairs.

Key Responsibilities

Exhibition Production

• Project manages all phases of 5–7 exhibitions per year—timelines, budgets, vendors, and staffing—from planning through installation and de-installation, in close collaboration with curators and artists
• Advises on feasibility, budgeting, and production needs for exhibition and event proposals
•  Hires, manages, and supervises preparators and fabricators; installs and preps artworks directly as needed
• Coordinates art packing and transit logistics for exhibitions and Collection activities
• Oversees exhibition maintenance and the upkeep of prep rooms, tools, equipment, and display furniture.
• Maintains expertise in art handling best practices and Arts and Letters exhibition equipment, advising staff on safe operation and troubleshooting
• Builds and maintains strong network of fabricators, shippers, art handlers
• Monitors environmental conditions in storage and galleries, liaising with Facilities on gallery improvements

Event Production

• Advises on and procures setup, physical assets, technical equipment, and vendors for 8–10 events per year
• Provides on-site production support and ensures setup and breakdown run on schedule, in coordination with the Visitor Services and Events Manager and Facilities
•  Hires and manages freelance production staff for events as needed
• The majority of our events occur on Saturdays; some weekend and evening availability required

General

• Responds to urgent production questions and troubleshooting outside regular hours
• Supports production and art-movement needs for member and ceremonial events
• Participates in departmental and staff meetings and contributes to a culture of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion
• Works collaboratively with Arts and Letters staff on other institutional needs as requested; Arts and Letters is run by a small, dedicated staff that expects team members to pitch in where needed during busy times

Reports to: Curator and Manager of Curatorial Affairs

Qualifications

The ideal candidate brings 5–10 years of experience in exhibition production, art handling, or a related field, with hands-on technical skill as well as project-management strength. They can juggle competing deadlines, hold timelines and budgets, and hire and supervise preparators, fabricators, and freelance staff. Strong organizational and communication skills and close collaboration with curators, artists, and colleagues are essential, as is comfort with the physical demands of the role—lifting, ladder work, and extended time on-site. Proficiency with SketchUp and Adobe Photoshop is important, along with familiarity with Asana or similar project-management software. Above all, the ideal candidate is solutions-oriented and committed to supporting artists in realizing their vision.

Please submit a cover letter and résumé to [email protected] with the subject line: Production Manager Application. No phone calls, please. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis; the position will be open until it is filled.

The American Academy of Arts and Letters is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring and employment-related decisions are based on qualifications and business needs. Decisions are not made on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, sexual preference, sexual and reproductive health decisions, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.