Audio-Visual Services Production Manager
Effectively manage the daily operations of the Audio-Visual Department to ensure delivery of high-quality audio-visual support for all museums activities across all sites. Provides supervision and leadership to multiple on-call AV Systems Engineers.
Responsibilities will include the following, but are not limited to:
AV Support – 40%
- Provide technical support for a variety of activities, including but not limited to, lectures, theatrical performances, acoustic and amplified music performances, multi-cultural demonstrations, corporate presentations, hybrid events or meetings, private venue rentals, educational and public engagement programming, and a variety of development and fundraising activities
- Assist in the creation and maintenance of AV systems, working to upgrade as needed as technology advances
- Support a variety of exhibit presentations
- Administer AV systems needed to support hybrid events and meetings
- Operate hybrid events and meetings to include Zoom and Teams presentations, video conferencing and recording, audio and video needs in museum auditorium and boardroom spaces, integrating presentations from remote guest speakers including PPT and video presentations
- Schedule and perform walk-throughs, consultations (in person and by phone) with event planners
- Determine labor needs, load-in times and equipment for all activities requiring AV support
- Oversee pre- and post - production of events requiring AV services
- Attend weekly event production meetings to confirm and coordinate AV needs cross-functionally
- Manage labor for events across all sites, developing staffing schedules and hiring on-call technicians
- Occasional stage management may be required
- Participate in departmental equipment maintenance
- Coordinate with event planners to define suitable staffing and equipment resources and most effective path to achieve desired results for scheduled functions
- museum activities
- Serve as a technical resource to coordinate with staff and artists to determine design specifications, and recommend AV equipment for implementation of a variety of end-user needs
- Assist in the planning and development of interactive technology installations in the galleries.
- Hands on participation in the load-in, run of show, and load out of activities
- Act as a technical advisor and answer questions on features and operation of video, audio, and projection equipment as used in support of AV services
- Keep current with changing technology in the AV field and recommend best practices to supervisor and internal customers
Administrative – 50%
- Manage and coordinate scheduling, hiring, training, payroll actions, timekeeping, and billing of AV staff and contracted audiovisual technicians
- With Associate Director of AV Services, develop, maintain, and publish policies, operating procedures, and standards regulating the delivery of responsive, high quality AV services for the Museum
- Manage and train AV Staff on necessary software used for events (STYB, Momentus Elite, etc.) and stay current on best practices for staff
- Develop, maintain, and publish documentation for use by AV staff and on-call technicians for the operation and routine maintenance of audio-visual systems and equipment
- Create and implement AV trainings for all SAM employees involved in event planning
- Research and update pricing for AV rentals and labor to maintain market rate
- Assist supervisor to manage and coordinate scheduling, hiring, training, payroll actions, timekeeping, billing, and managerial actions of AV staff and on-call AV technicians
- Collaborate with stakeholders across departments to define and deliver effective AV support
- Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders towards the successful completion of projects and delivery of day-to-day needs
Other Duties – 10%
- Contribute to an institutional focus of delivering exceptional, welcoming, and inclusive customer service—creating positive, meaningful experiences for all visitors, every time
- Participate in institutional learning opportunities to grow our collective understanding and integration of antiracism, cultural competency, and equity values into SAM’s work
WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Six years’ experience in audiovisual work, including two years in a people management capacity
- Demonstrated supervisory skills and the ability to manage and maintain assigned budget within organizational parameters
- Ability to maintain and upgrade AV systems and to keep up with current technology
- Experience as a Production Manager and/or Technical Director to oversee large and complex installations and events
- Working knowledge of PC and Mac computers and the integration of AV equipment, as well as of sound and lighting features
- Ability to successfully execute high visibility events
- Proficiency with industry standard video switching and engineering systems
- Advanced experience in the operation of AV systems equipment and technology, including digital video projectors, live sound reinforcement, lighting, video recording equipment, hybrid or livestreaming platforms, film screening, and maintaining performance spaces
- Understanding of safe rigging practices
- Experience and knowledge of proper temporary electrical wiring practices (including varying voltage systems)
- Ability to organize and deploy staff and resources in service of a dynamic and robust activity schedule
- Ability to work effectively and positively with technical and nontechnical staff across all organizational levels and disciplines as well as with external contacts
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with executives, management, and employees
- Strong track record in exercising sound, timely judgment
- Proactive, strategic, and professional verbal and written communication, with an ability to tailor communications according to audience
- Strong management and supervisory skills; ability to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects
- Successfully assess priorities and work well with deadlines, strong time management, problem solving, and analytical skills
- Highly organized and adept at self-initiation, and working with autonomy
- Exercise discretion in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, Zoom, Asana, Slack and internet-based research
- Ability to pass and maintain security background check clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in theatre, film, television, or equivalent experience
- Experience in a major museum, large non-profit, other institution, or large corporation
- OSHA 30 certification
- Experience in working with a mix of in-house AV staff, free-lance technicians, and contractor supplied technicians
APPROACH TO WORK
We come together to contribute our unique talents towards connecting art to life. We take our passion for the arts and personal connections to the mission, and channel it into our employee, visitor, and partner experience. We hold with care our impact on the local community, the arts and culture sector, and beyond. We know we’re at our best when we create an inclusive and equitable workplace and museum that reflects our plurality. The following are ways we agree to work together – they play an essential role in fulfilling our mission.
Be Accountable: Our work is ambitious – it requires us to stay organized, hold multiple responsibilities, maintain an eye for the details and the big picture, and consistently deliver exceptional work. We rely on our colleagues when working collaboratively and independently. We practice expert time management, are responsible for our commitments and deadlines, and proactively communicate when we need extra support. We know being accountable matters – it’s a commitment to care for everyone we work with.
Be Collaborative: We know that the success of the collective is paramount – we’re all working towards a common goal. Our diverse perspectives strengthen our work, so we default to inclusion. We’re eager to work in partnership cross functionally and create the space for others to contribute to the work.
Cultivate Innovation: Our success is rooted in the creation and adoption of new ideas that make a positive impact. Change is inevitable, so we stay open to the possibilities that come with it. We bring a commitment to navigating new circumstances with flexibility, adaptability, creativity, and persistence. We’re not afraid to meet the moment – taking strategic risks and maximizing resources to create positive change. We lean on each other as we experiment and build new ways of working together.
Bring A Learning Mindset: We know that curiosity and humility are key to our individual and collective growth and ultimately, improving our work. We regularly seek new inputs and perspectives that can expand our thinking. When met with something we don’t understand, we remain open to learning from colleagues and our community. Most importantly, when we encounter an inevitable stumble, we seek feedback and reflect on how to learn from the experience.
Lift Each Other Up: We practice helping each other be successful by empowering, supporting, and celebrating the work of our colleagues, teams, and the institution. An optimistic and inspiring attitude makes our work better – for our colleagues, our visitors, and the broader community we’re part of. We bring integrity and joy to our interactions with others – centering welcoming, engaging, and inspiring interactions with and within SAM.
WORK SCHEDULE
The schedule for this is role is variable. The needs of the role and support of the department or organization will require evening, weekend, and alternate work hours as self-directed and by your supervisor. Schedules are typically determined between 3 – 6 weeks in advance. Please connect with your Recruiter or Manager for more information about SAM’s current hybrid work policy and expectations. SAM’s hybrid work policy is subject to change.
COMPENSATION: $89,300 - $94,000
WORK CONDITIONS
Exposure: Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with moderate background noise. Workspaces may include outdoor events.
Stationary Work: Approximately 50% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 50%) is spent moving around the work area. Occasional extended periods of standing may be required when assisting at Museum events.
Communication: Clear and effective verbal and written communication in English with trustees, the public, and co-workers is necessary.
Vision: Ability to effectively use a computer screen and interpret printed materials, memos and other appropriate paperwork.
Office Work: Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.
Lifting/Carrying/Pushing/Pulling: Ability to transport up to fifty (50) pounds of equipment and supplies.
Working at Heights: The ability to work safely at heights is required, ability to work on ladders and scaffolding is required. Safe operation of multiple types of personnel and scissor lifts is required.
ACCOMMODATION
The Seattle Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions/duties of this position. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation to best enable your success in the role, please discuss this possibility with a member of our HR team at [email protected].
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Celebrating difference. At Seattle Art Museum, our members, visitors, and local community come from all walks of life, and so do our employees, volunteers, and interns. The plurality of our identities and experiences strengthens our mission: connecting art to life. Our mission and vision call us to be responsive to a multitude of cultural contexts and lived experiences, and as such, our Strategic Plan directly addresses the role art plays in empowering and elevating social justice movements, and promoting structural change to further equity in our society. SAM is particularly dedicated to racial equity in the workplace, because we know that people of color are the most impacted when it comes to both historical and present inequities. We know that equity is not a single fixed destination, it’s ongoing reckoning. As SAM continually strives to be a more inclusive and equitable workplace, we are particularly interested in engaging with those who have been historically underrepresented in the museum field. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace, and a sense of belonging for each and every employee, because we know our organization is at its best when we celebrate difference.
SAM is an equal opportunity employer. We are an equal opportunity employer, and consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, sensory, physical, or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. If you need assistance applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know at hr@seattleartmuseum.org. The Seattle Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for all employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions/duties of the role. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact hr@seattleartmuseum.org. For candidates, we ask that, if possible, you wait until you're invited to a screen, online technical assessment or interview before requesting an accommodation.
We encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace, and a sense of belonging for each and every employee, because we know our organization is at its best when we include, celebrate and embrace difference. We encourage you to submit an application, even if your experience doesn’t feel like a 100% match with the position. We know applying for a job can be intimidating, and research tells us that womxn and folks of color are less likely to apply if they don't see themselves meeting or exceeding every single qualification listed. We encourage you to apply, even if you feel unsure about whether you meet every requirement in this job post. You could very well be a great fit for this role or others.
Requirements for employment. In order to be employed by the Seattle Art Museum, you must reside in the state of Washington. Employment at SAM is contingent upon successful clearing and maintenance of clearance in both a federal and state criminal background check.
Want to learn more? If you haven't already, check out our Careers page for more on working at SAM.
Though we'd love to be able to reply to every question that crosses our desk, due to the high volume of applications we receive, our HR team is unfortunately unable to offer a response to inquiries requesting search status updates, inquiries about hiring timeline, or requests to be put in touch with directly with the Hiring Team. If your experiences and capabilities are well suited to an open role, our Recruiter or the Hiring Manager will reach out directly to schedule an interview. Thanks for your understanding!