Director of Production AMP

About Us

At Walton Arts Center/Walmart AMP, we strive to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. We pride ourselves on bringing the best Arts and Entertainment to our audiences in Northwest Arkansas, and we know our organization runs on the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees.

Our organizations’ dedication to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is clearly reflected in our values: Relevance; Inclusivity; Sustainability; Excellence. Diversity is a commitment at Walton Arts Center/Walmart AMP.  We are fully focused on equity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us unique.

Position Overview

The Walmart AMP is known as Arkansas’ premiere outdoor concert venue with seating capacity of 11K. The Walmart AMP has consistently been one of Billboard's top-rated amphitheaters producing 30 plus concerts per season. The Director of Production – Walmart AMP is responsible for oversight of production operations and acts as the main point of contact with touring companies at this venue.  Ideal candidate should have strong knowledge & years of experience in managing large format venue (arenas or amphitheaters specifically) production operations including lighting, audio, video, staging, rigging, safety and compliance and back of house artist services including ground transportation and hospitality.  Provides leadership that fosters a team-oriented culture with focus on providing a first-class artist experience and a safe, welcoming employee experience that leads to high levels of retention.  The Director is a vital piece of the communication chain within the venue and is responsible for making sure that all information gained by their team during advance calls with incoming events is communicated across departments in a timely manner.     

Principal Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Communicate between venue representatives (GM and VP/talent buyer), presenting partners/promoters, and tour/artist or client.
• Manage day-to-day production operations within budgeted guidelines and WAC/AMP policies and standards.
• Oversee year-round full-time Production Manager, plus seasonal staff including crew chiefs, hospitality coordinators, production assistants.  Coordinate additional in-season and day of show support with local AV vendor and oversee their performance. 
• Coordinate fulfillment of all local crew (stage labor) needs with Walton Arts Center staffing coordinators.  Identify additional third-party labor resources as needed to fill calls and coordinate schedules with them accordingly
• Provide training as necessary for all production department staff and personnel to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.  Coordinate training needs with Walton Arts Center staffing coordinators.  Keep up-to-date training documentation which can be shared with employees.  Host training annually for returning employees and then as needed for employees added during the season or used on an infrequent basis. 
• Coordinate labor, equipment and service needs with third party vendors including AV, transportation, artist hotel, hospitality and other artist-driven requests.  Ensure timely payment of vendors upon receipt of invoice and follow up with Finance team as needed.  Manage relationships with each vendor to ensure favorable pricing and quality of service to AMP.
• Continually monitor venue booking calendar and alert leadership to any foreseeable challenges with regard to executing tour requirements due to availability of resources.  Participate in discussions regarding how to mitigate the challenges around a tightly booked calendar.
• Maintain venue technical packet with most up-to-date information regarding the capabilities of the venue for dissemination to potential tours and events.
• Receive, read and interpret technical riders and other such documentation from incoming tours and events; communicate information or share documents when pertinent to the operation of other departments. 
• Contact tour managers, production managers, or other such representatives of upcoming events to advance all details surrounding the artists needs on property.  Connect tour personnel to other team members to initiate advance of other details such as security advance, artist catering, etc.  In the event Director does not handle advance with tour personally, they are responsible for delegating those duties to the appropriate production personnel and then overseeing the successful execution of the advance process and proper communication of details internally among other departments.
• Meet tours or clients upon arrival at venue and address any questions; facilitate any requests while providing an excellent customer service experience. 
• Communicate to General Manager for approval regarding budgetary concerns during advance process or on day-of-show, or any requests from artist or client that are questionable or contrary to venue policy or show budget. 
• Provide timely documentation of expenses to GM, VP, or other such staff as necessary as a part of venue settlement with each event.  Documentation required will include costs for labor, equipment, services, hospitality, transportation, hotel, etc.
• Process requests for any cash required onsite for tours or events and communicate such needs to the General Manager in a timely manner to ensure cash is on property when needed, including petty cash needed for purchasing by AMP employees.  Oversee distribution of cash, document exchange of funds, and provide reconciliation to Finance department as required. 
• Present onsite during all events from artist/client arrival to departure or delegates a manager from within Production department to be the artist/client liaison in their absence.  Communicate points of contact to other departments.
• Provide recommendations to executive leadership on design, purchasing and implementing of rigging, audio, video, and lighting systems.
• Oversee maintenance of all stage production equipment as well as other property AV assets.  Create required maintenance schedule.  Participate in capital planning for equipment upgrades, additions or replacements on an annual basis. 
• Represent the venue with professionalism, honesty, and integrity in all matters