Senior Production Manager - Immersive Art Installations

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Project-Based Role: This is a project-based position with an anticipated duration of 2+ years.

Location: (On-site) Santa Fe, NM.

The Production Manager works in a fast paced, creative environment as an invaluable asset to the Creative Studios division of Meow Wolf. This person will serve as a direct manager to approximately 10–12 team members, and will provide production-focused leadership during the design, planning, and execution phases of a project.

During the phases of Concept through Design Development, the Production Manager will help manage the mockup scope and gain valuable insights before production begins. Once production begins, the Production Manager will direct timelines, work assignments, and major tool scheduling to complete the team’s production scope. The Production Manager will also oversee the budgets assigned to individual projects (sub‑$1M) and provide monthly reports to Project Leadership, with a department total of up to $6M per major project.

Other duties include leading documentation for handoffs to Operations teams and local governance such as Fire Inspectors, providing ongoing feedback and mentorship to production team members, and contributing to the overall development of the AD&P department.

• Serve as a functional leader to approximately 10–12 AD&P members and a short‑term team leader for mixed‑talent production teams.
• Work with Production Directors to understand and establish goals, timelines, and build plans for internal project work performed by AD&P.
• Manage a selection of production projects within the department’s overall delivery scope, owning the timeline and material spend for each project.
• Manage workflow through shared department resources, such as the Paint Booth, Laser Cutters, and Vacuum Former.
• Work closely with the Sr. Director of Design & Production and Production Directors to establish project build sequencing and a work breakdown structure for each in‑house build.
• Contribute to project staffing decisions for internal AD&P build teams, balancing skill development and talent needs.
• Help the build team meet its deliverables by the agreed end date or labor limit and adhere to the agreed budget.
• Serve as a side‑by‑side mentor to the active build team, advising on safe working practices and professional growth.
• Identify conflicts during a build—whether technical or personal—and work with involved parties to find resolution.
• During a build, provide regular completion status and spend updates to management.
• Have the final say on an internal project’s build quality and durability; guide reworks as needed to meet quality standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

• 1+ year(s) working in art administration or production management.
• 1+ year(s) interfacing directly with creatives.
• 1+ year(s) experience as a personnel supervisor.
• Experience with the creation of permanent art installations or exhibitions.
• 3+ years experience in permanent exhibition design, fabrication, and artistic production (required).
• Experience leading production teams.
• Experience with shop tools and machine maintenance.
• Familiarity working with wood, metal, plastics, and general assembly.
• Able to interpret shop drawings for production.
• Experience with 3D printing, CNC operations, laser cutting, and welding.
• Experience in fastener selection and specification.
• OSHA 10 certification.
• Design and Production knowledge.

This job operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and scanners. It also works in an indoor setting with exposure to noisy environments, dim lighting, strong visual effects including strobing lights, special effects, fog machines, and small or enclosed spaces.

Physical ability to walk, stand, take stairs, slides, or…