Assistant Production Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

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, Ravinia’s Steans 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 50,000 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.

Dates of Employment

Mid-May through Early-September 2025

PLEASE NOTE : The annual salary posted reflects 17 weeks of work (see below for salary details)

Applications are accepted through April 20, 2025. Early applications are encouraged and appreciated! Applications with resumes and cover letters are preferred.

Job Description

The Assistant Production Manager works alongside various members of the Production and Artistic departments. The Assistant Production Manager plays an integral role in the building and organization of the Production department's daily technical schedule and is vital to the successful presentation of Ravinia's performances. This position is highly coveted and past employees have gone on to obtain full-time employment within major arts organizations across the country. While there are stage management elements to this position, the technical stage elements are handled by a union crew.

Responsibilities

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 concerts (e.g. run-of-show schedules, tracking backline requirements and rentals as dictated by artist contracts and riders, scheduling mandatory stagehand breaks, etc.)

Distribute weekly internal emails with performance-related information (e.g. security needs, buses / trucks, concert timings, artist signing, etc.)

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 staff (e.g. catering / hospitality, artist transportation logistics, guests lists, etc.)

Serve as stage manager for all Kids Concert Series, Carousel Stage, and select mainstage non-classical performances

Draft, circulate for approval, and finalize run-of-show schedules for all performances in coordination with the Production Manager and Manager of Artist Services and Programming

Serve as a point person alongside the Production Manager in handling artist and Ravinia related security needs (e.g. relaying artist / concert security needs to Ravinia Security team, discussing Ravinia security protocols with artist team, coordinating artist vehicle arrival and departure needs, etc.)

Assist overseeing the day-to-day backstage Production department operations in partnership with the Production Manager, Production Operations Manager, and Production Coordinator (e.g. oversee department Production Assistants, artist transportation, hospitality setting, etc.)

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-concert security meetings

Assist the Production Manager in guiding approved Explosive Detection K9 units through backstage

Assist with special performances throughout the summer (e.g. Ravinia’s Breaking Barriers Festival, Fiesta Ravinia, etc.), as needed

Provide supplemental driving assistance to Production department with artist transportation and errands, as needed

Act as main receptionist / dispatch for Production department, as needed

Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Ability to work well as part of a team and independently

Excellent communication, attention to detail, and organizational skills

Creative problem-solving and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment

Consistent source of transportation at any time of day or night and a reliable cell phone

Clean driving record

• Driving Record Requirements to Operate Ravinia Fleet Vehicles

Drivers must be age 19

Record must be free of any violation for speeding in excess of 19mph over the speed limit within the last three years

Record must be free of multiple speeding violations (of any severity) within the last three years

Record must be free of any at-fault accident violations within the last five years

Ravinia reserves the right to extend driving record requirements beyond those noted above.

Ideal candidates will also offer some of the following skills / experience :

Background in concert production and / or stage management

Knowledge of the technical aspects of concert production

Experience supervising staff

Familiarity with Google Workspace

Foreign language speakers are encouraged to apply

All hiring is contingent upon receipt of an approved background and driving record check. All employees are required to sign an employment agreement and a confidentiality agreement.

Work Environment

This is a full-time seasonal position based in Highland Park, IL. This position requires the ability to work outside of normal business hours (extensive early mornings, late nights, and weekends, including some seven-day work weeks). Prolonged periods of standing, the pushing / pulling of carts, and lifting / carrying various supplies are required.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary : $1,300 per week. This position is not eligible for overtime. Based on the concert schedule, this position will be working 40-60 hours per week for 17 weeks.

Benefits : Some meals provided. Free parking at the venue. Monthly cell phone stipend. Eligible for Illinois Paid Leave plan.

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.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Salary : $1,300