Our client believes the best way to predict the future is to build it. With over 12 years of experience in creating environments that entertain, stimulate, inspire and engage, they dream up worlds immersive enough for visitors to get lost in awe - and fun enough for them to play whilst inside.
They combine imagination with knowledge and a true understanding of culture to unlock moments unseen for companies such as Warner Bros., Twentieth Century Fox, Google, Facebook, and Samsung. They conceive things truly new to this world that form the context for conversation and create impactful relationships.
We are searching for an Event Production Director to join their office in Torrance.
Job Description
The Event Production Director will manage a team of producers, production managers, coordinators, production assistants and interns responsible for executional excellence in client Business-to-Consumer and Business-to-Business activations and/or event activities.
The Event Production Director will establish and embed a performance-based culture in the department with clear accountabilities that allow continuous improvement and development. Responsible for clearly defining activation deliverables and written production-specific scopes of work (SOW) and budgets, working with each project lead to manage and track project COGS and GP, and deploy production talent on projects.
The Event Production Director will also have a role on the Executive leadership team.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
The Event Production Director will be responsible for all elements of production projects from start to finish, ensuring that the production team assigned to the program is fulfilling the core functions listed below:
Ensures the production team is staffed correctly, including the use of in-house and freelance resources
Maintain Master Event Calendar, deploying/coordinating production teams on incoming and potential projects, while maintaining proper balance of workload
Provides guidance for production and quality control standards
Develops budget and cost controls
Manages, mentors and motivates production staff; demonstrates strong leadership and management skills, as well as the ability to effectively delegate
Acts as Production representative in capabilities / new business meetings and RFP presentations
Reviews client RPFs, participates and provides strategic oversight related to Production in cross functional kick off meetings, creates/oversees creation of RFP budget and workback
Participates in project planning and creative meetings elevating ideas and providing guard rails for ability to deliver within timeframes and budgets
Oversees project team in writing detailed statements of work as it relates to production and oversees development in corresponding budgets (tied to Agency SOW developed by Client Service lead)
Participates in weekly client calls / video conferences as an executive team member
Leads production process start to finish; acts as Executive Producer on large scale productions
Leads accountability and acts as a sounding board for the team on all aspects of the program – execution, financial, operations, and services including:
project critical paths and workflow
project timelines and workbacks
project budget estimates and revisions
post production reconciliation
Works closely with internal teams to ensure that the best possible execution is achieved
Reports financial status of job progress and current status to Executive Team
Identifies new and maintains existing relationships with vendors, fabricators, tech partners and suppliers - including but not limited to: printing, catering, scenic, lighting, sound, creative tech integration, transportation, permits, insurance, security, trucking, and shipping
Maintains an external awareness of industry related production trends; sets capabilities meeting with production team to enhance production tool kit
Develops and maintains a list of freelance resources to supplement full-time staff; continuously conducts interviews to find new talent and build roster
Creates requests for bids for large scale vendor projects
Oversees venue sourcing, contracts, and relations
Identifies production team’s specific key performance indicators (GP and client satisfaction), ensuring that the team is meeting KPIs
Provides leadership and mentorship to build existing Production team by conducting quarterly and yearly reviews; works with team members on overall growth path, goal setting and areas of improvement
Ensures that the responsibilities and accountability of all direct supports are clearly defined and understood
Responsible for establishing best practices for continuous improvement for team and programs
Continuous research and advisement of Production best practices
Acts as a leadership role model for The Company
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
10-15+ years’ experience including at least three recent years managing experiential and event production projects at a boutique B2C experiential event production agency. Experience with entertainment, gaming and technology clients preferred.
Strong leadership and cross-functional working skills. Must work well within teams and be able to lead effectively
Demonstrated knowledge and historical, well-rounded experience of event production
Ability to manage a diverse, and hungry internal and external staff of Production Specialists
Ability to handle numerous projects simultaneously with excellent organizational skills, while self-managing priorities and commitments is essential
Excellent client focus, interpersonal and written communication skills required
Ability to proactively anticipate obstacles and create solutions
Must possess a strong work ethic, thrive in a fast-paced dynamic work environment, and do it all with positivity and a sense of humor
Daily use of: Microsoft Office, G Suite, Slack, Basecamp
Familiarity with Sketch Up, Adobe Suite, CAD, and Vectorworks a plus