Director - NSO Production and Orchestra Operations

About The National Symphony Orchestra

The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) enjoys international renown as one of America’s finest professional orchestras. The Orchestra has gained recognition through national and international touring, recording, radio and television broadcasts, and its excellent work in education and community engagement in the greater Washington area. The NSO has been in residence at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts since the Center opened in 1971. In 1986, the Orchestra became an artistic affiliate of the Kennedy Center. The NSO’s Music Director, Gianandrea Noseda, is widely recognized as one of the leading conductors of his generation.  

The NSO offers a classical subscription series and a pops series at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, gives summer performances at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and celebrates national holidays with televised concerts on the Capitol lawn. Chamber ensembles of NSO musicians perform at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theatre and Millennium stage and the orchestra participates in an extensive education program. NSO In Your Neighborhood brings more than 30 performances and events to schools, churches, community centers, and other local venues in a single week. NSO Sound Health brings musicians to facilities like Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NSO also continues to tour nationally and internationally. 

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are able to advance our mission because of our committed and passionate employees. We are fortunate to be able to leverage their diverse perspectives, life experiences and skills to inform how our workplace can be a safe, transparent, and replenishing community. The Kennedy Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law. 

Mission Statement: As America's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across the United States and around the world, connecting the greatest living artists with audiences of every stripe, no matter their background. We welcome all Americans and creators and visitors from across the globe to discover, experience, learn about, be inspired by, and engage with the arts.

Why Join Us

We offer a total rewards package to all full-time employees to include: 

• Staff offers for discount tickets
• Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire
• 11 paid holidays per year 
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA
• We like to have fun! Check out the Kennedy Center National Dance Day 2024 staff video!

Pay Details

The Kennedy Center strives to design equitable compensation programs. The projected salary range for this position is $110,000 - $125,000, commensurate with experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This is the targeted range of possible compensation for this role at the time of posting. This range may be modified in the future. Base pay within the range is ultimately determined by a candidate’s skills, expertise, and experience as it relates to the position qualifications and responsibilities.

Job Description

The Director of Production & Operations works to ensure the smooth operations of the NSO. They lead long range planning from a production perspective and ensure proactive and ongoing dialogue across the NSO Team and with KC Production. They supervise the logistical planning of NSO productions, tour arrangements, logistics for offsite events, and production budgets/projections. They work alongside the VP of Operations to foster an environment in which musicians and crew can perform at their best. This position ensures the highest degree of efficiency and professionalism for NSO production and operations and works to meet NSO program and budget goals.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Supervision

• Hire, manage, and supervise NSO Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager and direct the work of IATSE Stage Technicians in the Concert Hall and throughout the Kennedy Center for NSO productions.
• Maintain knowledge of IATSE Local 22 CBA in daily scheduling and enforcement of contract rules.
• Serve on the KC negotiating team with IATSE Local 22, leading NSO representation.
• Hire, manage, and supervise NSO Production Manager and NSO Assistant Manager of Orchestra Operations, Production Coordinator and Operations Interns.
• Process weekly payroll for the NSO Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager and other hired stagehands, designers, and stage managers when applicable.
• Plan concert production assignments for the team each season.
• Ensure execution of all NSO concerts is adequately planned and performances are presented at the highest level possible with available resources. Work to support the larger NSO Team and contribute to a sense of ‘one team’ encourage cross departmental support as needed.

Budget Supervision

• Create, implement, and review all annual and monthly production and operations budgets for the NSO.
• Scrutinize and approve production and other operational expenses
• Regularly analyze production schedules and expenses and identify/make recommendations for cost saving changes

Concert Production

• Oversee all technical and logistical details for NSO rehearsals, concerts, and other special events at the Kennedy Center and in the local DC area.
• Produce all genres of NSO programming, including Classical, Pops, Young People’s Concerts, Family Concerts, and Community concerts.
• Hire and manage production contractors, including lighting designers, stage managers, sound engineers, recording engineers, and more.
• Stage manage and call lighting and video cues for rehearsals and performances as needed.
• Manage NSO props and costume and arrange for onsite or offsite storage as needed.
• Manage yearly maintenance of the Concert Hall’s Casavant Organ (Rubenstein Family Organ).
• Serve as Concert Duty Manager working with the House Manager to ensure the experience for the audience is commensurate with KC standards.

Operations & Logistics

• Support NSO’s domestic and international tour planning, preparation, and implementation, through tasks such as:
  • travel and hotel arrangements for musicians, staff, and tour party members;
  • visa applications and processes;
  • instrument evaluations and permit applications for U.S. Fish and Wildlife/CITES Traveling Exhibition Certificates;
  • compilation of cargo details for carnet paperwork;
  • liaising with cargo logistics companies regarding customs and border crossing requirements;
  • Traveling with the orchestra, overseeing daily tour operations, and taking the leading on resolving tour crises.
• Conduct site visits of local venues and plan logistics for ground freight, ground transportation, production, and catering for offsite NSO concerts.
• For U.S. Capitol Concerts (National Memorial Day Concert, A Capitol Fourth, and NSO Labor Day Concert), liaise with Capitol Police, Capitol Concerts Inc., the Architect of the Capitol’s office, the National Park Service, and other vendors to ensure the smooth operations of concert production, site layout, and security matters.

Orchestra Working Conditions

• Working with the VP of Operations, Orchestra Personnel Management, and Assistant Manager Orchestra Operations to ensure the NSO CBA and Handbook are respected, working conditions for the orchestra are safe onstage and backstage (including volume levels on stage), the orchestra musicians have access to resources (rehearsal space), and work to resolve issues and grievances that arise.

Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• College degree and/or advanced degree in music and/or arts management is required. Minimum of five years of experience in concert production is required; experience with symphony orchestra touring is preferred. Knowledge of orchestral and chamber music repertoire is an asset.
• Experience leading and managing both administrative and union employees.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people are critical. Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy are essential. Must be able to effectively gather information from a wide variety of sources and organize and disseminate it in a timely manner. Ability to meet deadlines, often under pressure.
• Ability to develop and monitor production budgets is required. Prior purchasing, managing, and budgeting skills is required.
• Excellent computer skills including (but not limited to) proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access) and willingness to learn new programs, such as OPAS and Visio, are required. Knowledge of social media outlets desired.
• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. Relocation assistance is not provided. 
• Candidate must be willing to work onsite.

Additional Information

• Must be able to travel and work evenings and weekends. Must hold a valid driver’s license in the United States.
• Must be able to work odd hours including evenings, weekends, holidays, and regularly work beyond 40 hours/week.
• Ability to perform concert production related tasks in outdoor settings, sometimes in unpredictable weather conditions.