Production Manager; U

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Cal Performances is the performing arts presenting, commissioning, and producing organization based at the University of California, Berkeley. The mission of Cal Performances is to produce and present performances of the highest artistic quality, enhanced by programs that explore compelling intersections of education and the performing arts. The organization delivers a diverse artistic and educational mission to the University and surrounding communities, as well as internationally through its digital platforms.

The organization delivers roughly 350 events per year, maintaining a budget size of roughly $18M and roughly 65 career staff with hundreds of part-time employees, volunteers, third-party partners, and students.

The Production Manager is responsible for the management of technical elements for Cal Performances events and other University and third-party events staged in the Zellerbach Auditorium, Zellerbach Playhouse, Hertz Hall, Wheeler Auditorium, Hearst Greek Theater, and other off-campus venues, as necessary.

This position is also responsible for our theaters’ technical assets and for leading our production technical departments and contractors, including set/carpentry, lighting, sound, wardrobe, and makeup. Working with a team of 15 career production staff and dozens of occasional production staff, the Production Manager is responsible for leading the advanced production preparations. The Production Manager oversees and manages all stage needs related to the production of each event including stage equipment, staffing levels, advance work, and touring artist requirements.

This position works closely with the Senior Director of Operations, Chief Programming Officer, and Rental Business Manager, as well as other leaders, in the planning and budgeting of production considerations. Due to the nature of this work, this position’s schedule includes extensive on-site evening and weekend hours.

The First Review Date for this job is:
May 15, 2026

Production Advance Planning

• Work with directors, designers, producers, company technical directors, and tour managers to assess and coordinate technical requirements and schedules in advance of each company’s arrival.
• Under the direction of the Senior Director of Operations and with the assistance of Production Department Heads, plan, manage, and implement all technical and staging aspects for performances and related educational/community programming, in a number of diverse performance venues.
• Responsible for management of labor and material expense for production portions of project budgets, working closely with the Senior Director of Operations to optimally utilize our financial and human resources. Must manage production expenses to the agreed-upon budget plan, consulting with the Senior Director of Operations or Rental Business Manager when expenses must exceed the budget to minimize net impact.
• Ensure the dissemination of production details to all other individuals who require it to be successful at their work.
• Recommend optimal venue seating…