LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY

Job Title: Production Manager

Department: Artistic

Reports to: Director of Production + Operations

Status: Full-time, exempt

Start Date: August 24th, 2026

Salary: $80-90,000 / year            
Job Type: In Person    



WHO WE ARE

La Jolla Music Society is one of the most prestigious and highly respected performing arts presenters in the United States. Our winter season presentations showcase a rich variety of classical, jazz, global roots, spoken word, family, and dance programming, at its state-of-the-art venue, The Conrad, as well as off-site venues throughout San Diego. In addition to our winter season and award-winning Learning + Engagement Programs, La Jolla Music Society also produces SummerFest, a renowned four-week chamber music festival featuring world-class artists and ensembles performing an array of concerts and programs curated by SummerFest Music Director, Inon Barnatan.



SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Production + Operations, the Production Manager leads the production team in performance-related operations, including overseeing the scheduling of IATSE crews and event and concert operations. This position oversees and directly participates in the planning and advancing of all concert production activities at The Conrad, including equipment rentals, labor scheduling, staging requirements, and other logistical arrangements before, during, and after each production. Finally, this position works closely with the artistic programming team to estimate, create, and monitor production budgets.



JOB DESCRIPTION

Direct reports: Assistant Production Manager (APM), Production Coordinator/Stage Manager



CONCERTS: LJMS, RENTALS, + VISITING PRESENTERS (35%)

Advance production schedules and staging/personnel requirements for each concert with tour managers, musicians, agents, and rental clients.

Develop and distribute detailed production schedules for all concerts, rental events, and rehearsals with venue and LJMS staff, as needed.

For all events, notify facilities of any incidents requiring documentation.

In coordination with the APM, conduct a concert check-in prior to the start of each performance and at intermission.

Be on-site for all performances unless APM is assigned.

Act as fill-in Stage Manager when the Production Coordinator / Stage Manager is unavailable.

Oversee rental tech calls and meetings, as needed.

Act as backup production contact for rental events as needed.



STAFFING + SCHEDULING (25%)

Train, supervise, and evaluate production staff, including coaching, performance management, and annual evaluations.

Hire and train seasonal staff, including SummerFest stage managers. As needed, supervise recording engineers, on-site filmmaker+mdash;in-residence, and other production-related seasonal staff, as required.

Lead the coordination and scheduling of IATSE crew to satisfy stage requirements for load-ins, rehearsals, and concerts.

Work closely with the Tech Director to schedule internal tech positions for concerts and events and additional IATSE needs.

Contract and schedule vendors for rental, delivery, transfer, and pickup of any required backline instruments and equipment, as assigned.

Maintain and update monthly production staffing schedules with the Artistic Planning Director.



BUDGETING + ADMINISTRATION (25%)

Oversee the creation of production budgets for SummerFest and Winter Seasons, with the artistic programming team.

In collaboration with the artistic programming team, develop and monitor budgets for all production activities, ensuring that artists+rsquo; needs are met within budget.

Maintain proper records including performance reports, year-to-date (YTD) budget actuals, settlements, invoices, and executed contracts.

Submit all invoices to the Production Coordinator for processing.

Manage the ArtsVision database calendar, schedule concert allotments, and add relevant production information, equipment, and timelines.

Lead weekly MAPLE meetings and other joint meetings with artistic, production, tech, and facilities.

In conjunction with the Director of Production + Operations, work with artistic programming staff on future-season and long-range planning for LJMS. Prepare budget projections as needed.

Work with the Artistic Director and Director of Artistic Planning to review prospective artist and performance riders for budget and production feasibility.

Work closely with the Artistic Director to lead planning of media partnerships, on-site interviews, filming, etc.



CONTRACT PROCESS (15%)

Coordinate with artistic programming staff to ensure that artists+rsquo; requirements are understood and met during the contract process.

Oversee all outside venue contracts and advance concert production requirements with the venue, as assigned.

Oversee the APM's development of production estimates for visiting presenters.

Review rental contracts and standard operating procedures with the APM and Artistic Rentals + Partnerships Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Five to seven years of professional experience in live event production or performing arts environments is required.

One to two years of supervisory experience is required.

Previous work in stage management is required.

Experience leading or supervising IATSE or other union crews.

Previous education or training in theatre production, audio, lighting, media production, or stage management is preferred.

Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of concert production and advancing, vendor negotiation, labor scheduling, and artist communication.

SKILLS

Familiarity with audio, video, and lighting systems is required.

Practical understanding of theatrical systems sufficient to support, troubleshoot, and coordinate live productions.

Strong organization, communication, and collaboration skills.

Clear written and verbal communication skills, particularly for production documentation and show notes.

Ability to work calmly and effectively in time critical, show‑day conditions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
By exemplifying broad representation throughout the institution, it is our goal to dissipate traditional lines of separation, enabling audiences, artists, staff, donors, and students to connect with those who are different from themselves. We believe that through that connection+mdash;both on stage and off+mdash;we can enrich all our lives, broaden our experience, open our minds, and achieve La Jolla Music Society+rsquo;s mission. We seek to create a working environment where everyone knows they are welcome and valued regardless of who they are or how they identify; where difference is encouraged; and where those differences help us learn from one another.