Creative Technology Production Director (Project Based Role)

Job Disclosures:

Project-Based Role: This is a project based position with an anticipated duration of 12+ months.

Location: This position will be based in Santa Fe, NM

Job Summary:

The Creative Technology Production Director works in a fast-paced, creative environment as an invaluable asset to the Exhibitions division of Meow Wolf. This person will provide production-focused leadership during the design, planning, and execution phases of a project. On each major project, the Production Director will oversee the development and creation of content, programming, builds, and interactive elements as part of our production scope.

During the phases of Concept through Design Development on a project, the Production Director will manage design deliverables, like the Audio, Video, and Lighting Pacakges, R&D scope, and content production contracts, and resourcing for Creative Technology team members. At this time, the Production Director will play a crucial role in defining the scope and resourcing of production elements that they will manage during the Production phase, and drive the creation of contracts and engagements with third-party content creators. Once Production begins, the Production Director will direct timelines and work assignments to complete the scope. Additionally, this person will oversee budget targets and budgets assigned to the production of content provide monthly reports to Project Leadership. The Production Director will also lead the documentation efforts needed for handoffs to Operations teams.

The Production Director will provide ongoing feedback and mentorship to members of their production team and contribute to the overall development of the Creative Technology department.

The Production Director must be calm under pressure and have experience working on very large-scale projects with a diverse team. Most importantly, they must be flexible in finding creative solutions to production issues as well as resolving conflicts in interpersonal communications.

This role requires an extremely capable and results oriented individual who can not only maintain the current culture and processes but also help develop and refine our systems as we scale. This role has no direct reports, but will be responsible for directing production scope and managing budget within any major project.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a leader in Concept Development, Schematic Design, Design Development and Production for creative technology's internal and external production scope.
• Partner with Project teams as early as Concept Development to understand the creative intent and develop resource plans and contracts that support the execution of scope.
• Own the production of Creative Technology R&D throughout CD, SD, DD, and Production for the given Pod team they will lead, managing the time and directing the efforts of other stakeholders needed to execute these explorations.
• Work in conjunction with Creative Technology Department’s Sr. Director as well as the other management to define and manage Creative Technology Production Scope, strategies, and budgets.
• Create an initial broad stroke Creative Technology Production Gantt for their Production Pod based on preliminary Production scope and published Project Timeline from Project Scheduling Team.
• Direct proper buildout of all content related contracts during each major project’s Design Development phase.
• Direct relevant production kickoffs and lead ongoing production meetings.
• Establish SOWS, sequencing, and a work breakdown structure as needed for content production.
• Establish SOWS, sequencing, and a work breakdown structure as needed to support production adjacent departments, like AD&P.
• Make staffing assignments to complete all production elements in their purview, and negotiate staffing needs with other stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the overall in-house production scope.
• Provide ongoing direction of labor estimates and production timelines.
• Contribute to overall production element prioritization and critical path planning, working in conjunction with project leadership and key stakeholders.
• Direct the preparation of Documentation to confirm sufficient completion of documentation by the build team.
• Track changes to original production scope and update overall labor, materials, and production timeline accordingly
• Direct the conversation around all Production change order requests, working with Project leadership and key stakeholders to reach an agreement around priorities within the remaining budget and timeline.
• Oversee all scheduling efforts in relevant project management tools and ensure that Airtable database entries are up to date with all relevant information.
• Provide financial and progress reports to Project and Divisional leadership team
• Continually re-strategize production process based on team and leadership feedback
• Provide input to yearly performance reviews based on working experience with Creative Technology team members

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in media production and/or Project Management
• Strong proficiency in a creative technology discipline (audio, video, lighting, or creative engineering).
• Discreet and professional when handling sensitive information. Must maintain the highest degree of confidentiality
• Able to manage the workflow of interdependent teams and resources within the department
• Strong understanding of finance and accounting functions and how they relate to budgeting of projects and internal scopes of work
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Able to communicate effectively between creators, managers, vendors, and project leaders.
• Experience developing documentation processes and implementing them across many teams with the input of multiple stakeholders
• Strong understanding of materials and techniques ranging from digital art, to fabrication, to technical execution.
• Strong knowledge of media service systems, creative programming techniques, and/or content creation.
• Excellent organizational skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to find flexible cooperation with our various company and project partners.
• Adaptable to changing needs and possesses the ability to take on new tasks.
• Able to learn new computer platforms quickly.
• Airtable, Team Gantt, Google Suite, Microsoft Office proficient.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience as a subject matter expert in one or more creative technology
• 8+ years of management experience
• Strong ability to read, understand, and apply information from technical drawings, material specifications and applicable regulatory documents
• OSHA 10 Certified

Work environment and Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required.

Work Environment:

This role may be based in Santa Fe, NM. This job operates in a professional office environment. This job also frequently operates at off-site locations.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Physical ability to walk, stand, take stairs/slides/elevators, and navigate the elements during the day and night. Employee may be required to remain in a sitting or standing position for prolonged periods, and repeat motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee will comply with company and OSHA standard workplace safety protocols. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time position averaging 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm MT or 10 am to 6 pm MT – occasionally requiring flexibility to work during evenings or weekends based on business needs, especially during installation phase at project site locations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position may require supervisory responsibility.

Travel:

Travel is required for this position and varies by phase. This may include business trips and temporary assignments as necessary.

During the design phases, this position will require some business travel (10%-25%). During the production and installation phases, this position will require extensive travel (30%+).

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

IMPACT: Meow Wolf is committed to our DIY roots and grassroots community support principles. To document that commitment, we converted our legal designation into a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation and have certified as a B Corporation. As a B Corp, we have a triple bottom line of supporting financial, social and environmental wellbeing in our community.

INCLUSION: Meow Wolf is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to ensuring all employees enjoy and thrive in a work environment where differences make us the vibrant, wonderful community we are! All employment decisions at Meow Wolf are based on business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, service in the military or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

BENEFITS:

The choices we make concerning our benefits during enrollment periods are among the most important we select for ourselves and our families. As part of the total compensation package for full-time employees, Meow Wolf offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes various options to meet individual healthcare and financial needs along with many perks.

• Medical Insurance options: PPO & HDHP*
• Dental and Vision Insurance*
• HSA, HRA, and FSA options*
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Company paid Life Insurance Policy and Disability Coverage(s)*
• Voluntary Critical Illness and Life Insurance Policies*
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave for 12 weeks
• Discount off Meow Wolf Gift Shop Merch and Cafes
• Admission to Meow Wolf attractions for employees and guests

*Regular or Project Based Full-time positions