Director of Production

Company Overview

ABOUT TARRAGON
Tarragon Theatre is a creation and playwrights' theatre. We develop, produce, and present premiere productions that investigate artistic form, offering enriching and provocative theatre experiences for the artist and audience. For over fifty years, our mission has been a foundation within Canadian theatre, new play development, and dramaturgy practice. We open our doors to celebrate and learn from the scope of voices that make up our country and the various artistic practices that resonate within them. Tarragon is equally a hub for creation and development as it is a production company, with the ultimate goal of creating a meaningful environment for artists to thrive and bridge their ideas from concept to realization. For more information visit www.tarragontheatre.com

Tarragon is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and therefore operates under the Canadian Theatre Agreement, Associated Designers of Canada Agreement, and the Playwrights Guild of Canada Agreement.  Tarragon employs members of IATSE Local 58 and 828.

Job Description

POSITION:  Director of Production
DEPARTMENT:  Production, Management
EMPLOYMENT:  Full-Time, Permanent
START DATE:  August 1, 2025 (negotiable)
SALARY RANGE:  $70K - $80K
APPLICATION DEADLINE:  July 10, 2025
LOCATION:  Toronto, Ontario

POSITION OVERVIEW

Tarragon Theatre is currently seeking a strategic, motivated, and organized individual to join our team and lead the Production Department.  Reporting to the Executive and Artistic Directors, the Director of Production plays a fundamental role in Tarragon’s senior management team and is responsible for leading the planning and overseeing the execution of all aspects of production and technical activity within the organization.

The deliverables of the Director of Production include:

-          Delivery of productions of the highest artistic quality possible

-          Close management of organizational resources and adherence to budgets and timelines in the execution of productions

-          Accurate future planning of financial and human resources for the realization of productions, new work development activities, events/rentals

-          Constructive leadership of the Production Department

-          Proactive oversight of Tarragon’s performance venues, rehearsal studios, and workshop spaces

-          Close management of production human resources throughout all production related processes

Direct Reports:

-          Technical Director

-          Mainspace Technician

-          Extraspace Technician

-          Head of Carpentry

-          Head of Properties

-          Head of Wardrobe

-          Head of Paint

-          Production Manager, Associate TD, and Production Assistant when such roles exist

-          Casual Crew

-          Stage Managers, Assistant Stage Managers, Apprentice Stage Managers

The ideal candidate is/has:

-          Big picture and strategic thinker;

-          Excellent time management and prioritization skills;

-          Organized and results oriented;

-          Ability to lead and drive Tarragon’s mission;

-          Comfortable leading constructive conversations and steering process with care;

-          A strong sense of urgency.

HOURS OF WORK

40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday 9:30 – 5:30PM

Some evening and weekend hours will be required, production schedule dependent.

JOB DESCRIPTION

 Financial/Payroll

·       Under the management of the Executive and Artistic Directors, prepares, drafts, and manages all budgets as related to programming, productions, production overhead (including FT, PT, and Seasonal personnel), production and theatre facility maintenance, and capital acquisitions

·       Administers and actions above budgets as approved by the Executive Director

·       Authorizes all production and production overhead expenses

·       Maintains accurate production accounts on a regular basis

·       Reconciles all production related financial reporting (monthly) and delivers clean reports to the Executive Director

·       Prepares any capital related financial reports as requested by the Executive Director

·       Prepares and processes all production payroll, working in collaboration with Tarragon bookkeeping and payroll, approving overtime as required

·       Adheres to all Federal and Provincial labour regulations

·       Adheres to all labour agreements

·       In collaboration with the Executive Director and Tarragon bookkeeping/payroll, advises and assists with changes to accounting procedures and sets best practices to any production areas

·       Creates and oversees programs and processes for revenue generation through facility and production shop rentals

Administrative

·       In collaboration with the Artistic and Executive Directors, maintains future season calendars

·       Staffs and onboards the Production Department

o   Is responsible for hiring, dismissing (if applicable), disciplining, and the morale of direct reports (as listed above)

o   In consultation with the Artistic and Executive Directors, is responsible for the hiring, dismissing (if applicable), disciplining, and morale of stage managers, assistant stage managers, and apprentice stage managers

o   In consultation with the Artistic and Executive Directors, is responsible for the hiring, dismissing (if applicable), and disciplining of all designers

o   Negotiates and administers all contracts for all production staff, designers, stage managers, assistant stage managers, and apprentice stage managers

o   Maintains production staff resumes and HR files

·       Sits on the Joint Health & Safety

·       Chairs Production Meetings

·       Attends and participates in staff meetings

·       Attends and participates in management meetings

·       In collaboration with the Executive Director, negotiates and manages the IATSE Local 58 and 828 agreements

·       Establishes and maintains best practices, policies, and procedures as related to all areas of production

·       Works with the Executive and Artistic Directors on future and strategic planning as relevant to production

Programming & Production

·       Creates and maintains all production related scheduling including but not limited to production calendars, design deadlines, shop activities, and more

·       In consultation with the TD, allocates human and material resources for all Tarragon programming, productions, and activities (on site and on tour)

·       Acts as the lead arbitrator between artistic desires and budget allocations. Final arbitration rests with the Executive and Artistic Directors

·       Ensures that requirements for programming, productions, and activities are met, while staying on schedule and on budget

·       Ensures effective communication between all production members and departments

·       Provides regular status updates to the Executive and Artistic Directors on all production matters

·       Provides advice and guidance to Production Department personnel as appropriate

·       Ensures all aspects of a production or activity are safe for performers, crew, and public

·       Attends and watches first rehearsal, at least one run during rehearsals, rehearsals during tech week, technical dress rehearsal, and dress rehearsal, and a minimum of 2 previews

·       Attends opening night 

General

·       Is a positive ambassador of Tarragon Theatre at all times

·       Maintains positive relationships with the artists and organizations that make up the Tarragon community and greater theatre community

·       Acts as a resource on production matters for other departments such as Education and Fundraising

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior production role with exemplary financial skills and 3 years of production team management experience
• Strong leadership capabilities
• Extensive knowledge of and experience working with CTA, ADC, and IATSE agreements, as well as strong knowledge of union rules and relevant labour laws
• An affinity for digital technology and superior computer expertise
• Extensive technical theatre production experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of theatre production strategies, disciplines, and processes
• Comprehensive knowledge of theatre operations, management strategies, and processes
• Meticulous production and budget management skills
• Knowledge of stage management procedures, production staff,  and production crew operations
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects with competing and unpredictable schedules
• Experience balancing institutional priorities with staff capacity
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent negotiating skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong skills with MS Office particularly Word and Excel
• Must have availability on evenings and weekends
• Extensive knowledge of and experience in the performing arts, experience with theatre is an asset
• A strong team-player approach with willingness to be flexible and pitch-in where needed

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

Salary Range of $70k-$80k, commensurate with experience

Paid Vacation

Group Health Benefits

RRSP Benefits after one year of employment

DEADLINE TO APPLY

July 10, 2025 – 11:59PM