APAP Career Center

The Director of Orchestra and Hall Operations role oversees administrative and technical responsibilities of the day-to-day production operations of the Nashville Symphony. This position also supports and assists the Senior Director of production with the planning and implementation of hall presentations. This position works to create a communicative, compassionate, and collaborative work environment. This position oversees, trains, and provides leadership to the Orchestra Production Department and is the point person for all orchestra related needs. 

I. Summary
Reports to: Senior Director of Production with a dotted line to the Vice President of Artistic Operations 
and General Manager.
Status: Full-Time Salaried, Exempt

II. Primary Duties and Responsibilities
• Manage and oversee all day-to-day orchestra operations including working closely with the musicians and staff on their specific set-up needs and being conscious of appearance, tidiness, cleanliness, and realization of all orchestra concerts and events.
• Schedule and coordinate production assistance as required for concerts and orchestra events. Facilitate musicians' setups and ensure smooth operation of assigned orchestra services and other events as assigned
• Direct and coordinate the schedule for the Orchestra Production Manager.
• Proactively address staging issues like temperature, lighting, audio, and safety; assist in implementing production elements of guest artist contracts.
• Work with the Orchestra Stage Manager to develop stage plots.
• Lead load-ins, rehearsals, performances, and load-outs; maintain concert hall and backstage area appearance and safety; supervise stagehands, visiting productions teams, and vendors. Supervise floor flips in Laura Turner Concert Hall as needed. 
• Act as a liaison between guest artists, technical staff, venue staff, visiting production teams, and musicians; ensure compliance with musicians' Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Oversee orchestra equipment storage and maintenance.
• Prepare show reports and assist in budget tracking and creation. Assist in crew bookings and payroll.
• Assist in the development and maintain department manuals and training materials for all production positions
• Assist and support orchestra operations and production department personnel with job functions as needed
• Supervise and direct stagehands for “floor flips” in Laura Turner Concert Hall, as needed. 
• Collaborate with the Orchestra Committee and Artistic Planning Committee and serve as lead production liaison between the Nashville Symphony musicians and administration to ensure musician’s concerns and expectations are heard, understood, and responded to appropriately.
• Proactively and transparently communicate with the Orchestra regarding concert operations, schedule and building updates, and other timely information.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally and oversee the review of guest artist riders, advance production needs, and create stage plots accounting for spacing and equipment requirements for orchestra programs. Act as liaison between guest artists, technical personnel, venue staff, and Symphony musicians.
• In collaboration with the Vice President of Artistic Operations and General Manager and Director of Personnel, manage and review the Orchestra calendar to utilize orchestra services in the most efficient and effective manner in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 
• Prepare and monitor budgets for orchestra concert productions.
• Alongside the Artistic team, aid in the technical creation and development of new and unique programs commissioned by the Nashville Symphony Association.
• Mange the necessary maintenance and care of the Symphony’s truck and/or any rental truck.
• Supports the Vice President of Artistic Operations and General Manager in the contract management for performance fee engagements (Nashville Ballet, run-outs, community concerts, etc.) including drafting contracts, processing invoices/payments and serving as a secondary liaison for presenters.
• Attends site visits for potential orchestra concert venues. Develops knowledge of operational and musical needs for such venues. Coordinates orders for coach buses orchestra travel. Secures free and reserved parking for musicians at offsite locations.
• Manage all runout logistics for all offsite orchestra services and concerts. Work closely with VP of Education, Director of Personnel, and VP of Artistic to visit new runout locations, ensuring sites have the proper amenities to host the orchestra for a successful concert.
• Proactively anticipate potential staging concerns, such as temperature, lighting, or safety, and effectively problem-solve before the beginning of any given service.
• Oversee all Nashville Symphony services including being present, booking crew/labor, and supervising, as needed, for load-in, rehearsal, concert, and load-out.
• Oversee and ensure all rules and regulations set forth in Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Symphony are adhered to.
• Work in partnership with the Senior Director of Production and Vice President of Artistic Operations and General Manager to foster a communicative, compassionate, collaborative, and inviting environment that allows for open and honest conversation between staff, musicians, and hired labor, ensuring the equitable distribution of all production needs amongst production staff. 
• As provided by the Marketing, Communications, and/or Development staff, ensure all necessary live pre-concert announcements and fire announcements are read/recorded, and display all required sponsorship recognition materials when orchestra is present.
• Support senior management and production staff in managing all Nashville Symphony media and recording projects. Ensuring production team, supporting staff, and musicians have resources needed for successful live, patch, and studio recording sessions.
• Collaborate with Artistic Department to oversee production and advance documents, ensuring concerts are advanced uniformly, cohesively, and in a timely manner with a high focus on the nuanced details of each concert.
• Ensure backstage facilities are in order. This includes providing tables and chairs when needed, proper lighting, musicians’ lockers, coat racks, safe pathways, etc.
• Supervise and ensure proper storage, maintenance, and inventory of orchestra equipment.

The duties listed above are not all inclusive. The person in this position is expected to perform other work-related duties as assigned even though they may not be considered primary duties

III. Supervisory Responsibilities
• Orchestra Stage Manager
• Part-time crew and technical staff as hired. 

IV. Work Requirements and Qualifications

1. Education
Minimum Requirement: High School or GED equivalent, with technical theater and performance knowledge to include working knowledge of sound reinforcement, stage lighting, and orchestral instruments.

2. Experience
Minimum three years production experience with a professional orchestra and excellent communication skills. Strong knowledge of classical orchestral repertoire. 

3. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Essential: Valid Tennessee Driver’s License, Medical Examiner’s Certificate
Preferred: CPR, 1st Aid Certification, Commercial driver’s license – Class B (or better)

4. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Effective and efficient written and verbal communications skills.
• Stellar organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to schedule priorities to maximize efficiency and institutional goals.
• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work with a broad spectrum of personalities and to exhibit patience and 
understanding.
• Ability to lead a team with a positive, helpful attitude in developing creative response and solutions to needs and issues.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents such as technical riders. 
• Ability to create routine and complex reports and documents, including regular expense reporting.
• Ability to maintain the strictest of confidence as needed. Multi-tasking skills and the ability to balance a sense of urgency and priorities without displaying panic are essential. A good sense of humor and global perspective are an added plus.
• Ability to drive a 24-foot box truck.
• Should have own vehicle and valid driver’s license.

5. Software to be Used
Essential: Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook
Preferred: ArtsVision, AutoCAD software, Vectorworks

6. Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and stand for long periods of time, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk and to periodically lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Comfortable with working at elevated heights.