Assistant Production Manager

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER

Position status: Temporary

Reports to: Artistic Operations Director, Production Manager

Supervision by: Artistic Operations Director, Production Manager

Compensation: $21 per hour

Posted: March 6, 2025                                                                    

Application Deadline: ASAP or by April 7

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Chamber Music Northwest seeks an energetic, professional, detail-oriented Assistant Production Manager. The Assistant Production Manager will work closely with the Production Manager and two Stage Managers to ensure that the Summer Festival runs smoothly and efficiently.  This position will directly assist the Production Manager, but will also act as supervisor as needed and delegated by the Production Manager. The ideal candidate would have interest in returning for future summer festivals.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Pre-Festival (Load-in)

• When able, attend meetings with Production Manager and/or CMNW staff leading into Festival.
• Work with Production Manager to develop initial production schedules and to understand production needs for the summer.
• Train with Production Manager to learn the intricacies of the Summer Festival, specifically how each venue is managed and how to work with the various independent contractors.
• Prepare rehearsal and performance spaces including backstage and office load-in, setting up chairs, stands, tables, and needed concert hall and performance equipment.
• Become familiar with festival staff and artist roster.
• Learn the complete production schedule, including when and where public events will take place.
• Participate in all orientation activities. 

During the Festival

• Directly assist Production Manager in all aspects of the Summer Festival, gradually adding tasks and responsibilities as needed.
• Supervise Stage Managers and other production crew when Production Manager is offsite.
• Assist festival staff with executing production aspects of festival events. 
• Open, prepare, maintain, clean up, and close rehearsal and performance spaces as scheduled.
• Work directly with production team in preparing, setting up, and running rehearsals and concerts.
• Act as the main point of contact backstage for artists, and assistant during rehearsals and concerts.
•  Coordinate between production and operations staff and artists during rehearsal and concerts as required.
• Routinely ensure stage, backstage and greenroom areas are clean and safe. 
• Run errands and purchase supplies for the festival as requested.
• Execute emergency procedures when necessary.
• Work with Production Manager and Operations & Community Programs Director to make any updates to daily schedule and relay any artist needs/questions.
• Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS

The Assistant Production Manager must be personable, poised, and professional. This new position requires flexibility, reliability, limitless energy, and meticulous attention to detail. It also requires the understanding that they will supervise and/or assist, delegate or be delegated to depending on the day.  Occasional heavy lifting/pushing will be required and candidates should be capable of spending long days on their feet.

Additionally, the following are required:

• Previous stage management or production experience at a major festival, event, or presenting organization.
• Ability to work independently but integrate with a larger team.
• Discretion in handling personal information.
• Ability to maintain a complex schedule of events and associated details (times, locations, artists, etc.)
• Experience with Google Suite and Slack.
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record and reliable transportation to/from work.
• Accessibility via cell phone and/or e-mail during off-hours.
• Potential last-minute availability

Strongly preferred qualifications:

• Supervisory experience
• Previous experience executing stage changes for live music or theatre.
• Previous experience as an artist assistant or work with musicians at a live performance venue.
• Background or strong interest in the arts or classical music.
• Previous use or knowledge of radios/headsets
• Familiarity with backstage performance etiquette
• Interest in returning for future festivals

JOB CONDITIONS AND COMPENSATION

General

Assistant Production Manager is a full-time, seasonal position. A seasonal personnel orientation will take place in early June, and regular hours will begin June 22. Possible pre-festival all staff meetings and First Aid training will take place in early June.  There is also the possibility of production meetings in the months leading into the Festival, as needed.  The full term of the position is June 22–July 28, 2025 and the Summer Festival dates are June 28–July 27, 2025. Once the Festival begins, hours may be long and demanding and will include working nights and weekends. The Assistant Production Manager must be available as many as six days a week from June 22–July 28.  This position will include occasional late night and early morning hours. Please note: there will be a semi-dark period from July 1 – 8 where hours will be much less than the rest of the festival.  Occasional heavy lifting/pushing is required.

Chamber Music Northwest believes that our staff should reflect the diversity of our community. We welcome all qualified applicants, and encourage those who identify as Black, Indigenous, persons of color, LGBTQIA+, and differently-abled persons to apply.  

CMNW is a 501(c)3 organization and equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should send the following documentation to jobs@cmnw.org with Assistant Production Manager in the subject line by April 7, 2025.  Please, no phone inquiries.

• Resume
• Cover letter stating: background/interest in the arts, how you heard about this position, and what you know about the 2025 Summer Festival.
• Three (3) references (two professional, and one personal)

ABOUT CHAMBER MUSIC NORTHWEST

Now in its 55th season, Chamber Music Northwest’s flagship Summer Festival presents programs of top international caliber that include mainstage concerts and numerous free education and engagement events in Portland. The artists invited to perform at Chamber Music Northwest range from rising stars to veterans and are among the most sought-after soloists, chamber musicians, and recording artists in the world. 

 

Chamber Music Northwest’s mission is to inspire our community through concerts and events celebrating the richness and diversity of chamber music, performed by artists of the highest caliber, presenting our community with exceptional opportunities for enjoyment, education, and reflection. Chamber Music Northwest is led by Artistic Directors Gloria Chien and Soovin Kim, and Executive Director Peter Bilotta.

Research encouraged at www.cmnw.org