Production Manager

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Production Manager

Location: Hybrid - Travel to Event Sites/Office Required

Company Description

Panavid is a leading provider of custom audio-visual production, integration, and rental solutions in a variety of markets. Our passion is working closely with our clients to create unforgettable experiences. From corporate meetings to live concerts and festivals, live broadcasts to house of worship installations, non-profit events, fashion shows, experiential marketing events and everything in between; Panavid has the experience that matters to transform any location into a custom event space and make our clients' vision a reality.

Overview

The Production Manager is the day-to-day owner of our client relationships and the project lead who turns those relationships into flawlessly executed live events. This role serves as a hybrid project manager and account manager, serving as the primary point of contact for assigned clients, understanding their objectives, shaping the production approach, and steering the internal team that delivers it.

Working from a home office, the Production Manager works with scenic, audio, video, lighting, and field operations to translate each client brief into a fully resourced production plan.

Responsibility includes occasionally attending on-site events for their projects as the client-facing producer overseeing an on-site technical lead, depending on the event’s scale, complexity, and client needs.

Success in this role is measured by client retention and growth, on-time and on-budget delivery, the quality and safety of every production, and the professional polish that high-profile corporate audiences expect.

As Production Manager, you embody Panavid's commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. You must abide by all rules and policies set forth by Panavid and work timely and ethically when interacting with clients and fellow employees. Panavid has built a reputation on strong client relationships and exceptional service. Your role in upholding our high standards of quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction is essential to the success of everyone at Panavid. You are expected to model professional behavior, lead by example, and ensure your team reflects our values at all times.

Core Responsibilities

● Act as the main point of contact for assigned clients. Run production calls, manage approvals and changes, and keep communication clear and timely.

● Build trusted, ongoing client relationships and look for opportunities to grow the account.

● Own each project from initial call to invoicing. Translate client briefs into equipment lists, scenic packages, labor plans, and production schedules.

● Build and manage project budgets. Track financials, approve POs and sub-rentals, and protect margin through disciplined scope.

● Specify AV, scenic, and graphic requirements with input from department heads and lead technicians.

● Conduct or oversee on-site venue scouts ahead of the event, walking the space with the client and/or venue contacts to confirm load-in routes, power and rigging capabilities, ceiling heights, sightlines, and any constraints that affect scenic, AV, or layout decisions.

● Coordinate with the warehouse and logistics teams to make sure gear is prepped, packed, and delivered on schedule.

● Work with the scenic shop and graphics team to spec, schedule, and track custom builds for printed graphics.

● Identify rigging, weight, sightline, power, and venue constraints early and resolve them before fabrication.

● Determine crew size, skill mix, and shift structure for each project. Work with the resource manager to confirm labor requirements, scheduling, and oversee the freelance technician’s requirements. Additional requirements may include managing calls from unionized labor in unionized venues.

● Attend events on-site as either the hands-on production lead or the senior client-facing producer, depending on the event.

● Assist Project Manager to cover client communication while they are on site.

● Run pre-production meetings, daily huddles, and post-event debriefs.

● Hold crews and partners accountable for safe rigging, electrical, working at height, and load-in/load-out practices.

● Close out each show by signing off on freelance approvals and vendor invoicing, leading the project debrief, and issuing the final client invoice once all work is complete.

QualificationsExperience

● 5 – 8 years in live event production, including client-facing project or account management on corporate or executive-audience events.

● Prior experience in a client- or account-facing role at an AV or live events company preferred.

● Solid working knowledge of professional AV systems, audio, video, lighting, projection, LED, rigging, and show control.

● Experience managing scenic, carpentry, and custom graphics scopes alongside AV. Comfortable reading shop drawings, renderings, and signal-flow diagrams.

Technical Skills

● Proficient with Zoom, Slack, Google Suite, Microsoft 365, project scheduling software (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project, Asana), and rental/inventory platforms (e.g., R2).

● Familiarity with Vectorworks, AutoCAD, or SketchUp for reviewing scenic and AV plots.

● Knowledge of video equipment types, cabling, power systems, and troubleshooting basics

● Forklift certification or willingness to obtain

Core Competencies

● Self-directed and organized. Able to manage multiple projects from a home office with limited day-to-day supervision.

● Proven ability to plan, budget, and deliver multiple concurrent events on time and on margin.

● Strong client-facing communication skills. Comfortable in front of senior executives and their internal teams during the active phase of a project.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

● Primarily home-based with a dedicated workspace and reliable high-speed internet.

● Variable hours, including occasional overnight, early-morning, weekend, and holiday calls.

● Regular travel to event sites with long days during setup, show, and strike.

● Occasional travel to the office to stay current on new equipment, shop builds, internal processes.

● When on site: active production environments with heavy equipment, motorized rigging, and high-decibel sound systems. Extended time on feet and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. occasionally

Compensation & Benefits

● Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and AD&D Insurance Plans

● Paid Sick and Vacation Time Off

● 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match

● Direct Deposit

● Professional development and career growth opportunities

Pay: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Parsippany, NJ 07054