Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is hiring: Production Manager in San Francisco

Job Details

Job Location: Legal Address - San Francisco, CA 94103

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: Not Specified

Salary Range: $85,490.00 - $85,490.00 Salary/year

Travel Percentage: Negligible

Job Category: Production

Title: Production Manager

Department: Production

Reports to: Interim Senior Director of Production

Status: Exempt, Full-time

Schedule: Schedule varies and includes evenings and weekends

Compensation: $85,490/year

About Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

For three decades, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) has been a dynamic hub for contemporary art in San Francisco's downtown community. We showcase innovative and thought-provoking work across visual arts, performing arts, film, and more, bringing together artists, audiences, and perspectives under one roof.

YBCA is a catalyst for conversations around critical social and cultural questions, using art as a medium for dialogue. We support artists who push boundaries, challenge conventions, and spark experimentation and innovation in the arts.

YBCA Mission, Vision, Values

Mission: To be a gathering space for creative expression that fosters meaningful connection for all.

Vision: To be a catalyst of creative exploration, expression, and innovation that empowers artists, inspires community, and drives lasting social change.

• Belonging – The arts are for everyone.
• Inclusive Collaboration – We are stronger together.
• Optimism – Art has the power to inspire change.
• Curiosity – Learning is at the center of artistic expression.

About the Role

We are seeking a creative, adaptable, and skilled Production Manager to join the Production team. This key role works closely with event managers, Union Stewards, and client’s technical and design staff to deliver successful events across our community, performing arts and commercial rentals programs. This role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of assigned productions, including planning, onsite management, budget oversight, and client relations, while ensuring safe and high-quality use of YBCA’s facilities. Clear communication, collaboration, and attention to detail are essential to providing exceptional experiences for both clients and audiences.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee production process for all assigned rental and internal productions including attending planning meetings, implementing and integrating agreed upon production needs to our facilities and resources.
• In collaboration with clients and Union Stewards, generate production schedules, labor estimates and crew calls, event information sheets, technical run sheets, production plans, event drawings, final expenditures and maintain comprehensive production files.
• Serve as a resource for external and YBCA event planners in projecting events within YBCA’s facilities.
• Work collaboratively with Union Stewards and YBCA Event Managers to ensure successful events, and communicate production needs in a timely and clear manner.
• Responsible for adherence to production budgets for all productions as assigned, including IATSE payrolls.
• In step with the full Production Department, advise, coordinate and enforce YBCA regulations and policies, including IATSE labor agreement and YBCA’s own use policies for use of YBCA facilities, with visiting designers, technical personnel, and/or independent contractors.
• Control production expenditures and implementation to ensure the safe, secure use of facilities while working to maintain overall client satisfaction.
• Establish and maintain productive and cooperative relationships with commercial and community renters.
• Assist YBCA’s Production Team in generating, editing and maintaining technical specification records and electronic packages.
• Assist YBCA’s Production Team with planning theatrical equipment purchases, upgrades, maintenance, and repairs.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Production, the Senior Production Manager and the House Head Technicians assess safety needs and offer solutions for a safe work environment.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements

• At least 5 years’ successful production management experience in both commercial and community arts based projects
• Excellent organizational skills, with particular attention to detail
• Knowledge of theatrical systems, including lighting, sound, rigging, AV/Video, etc.
• Capacity to successfully manage multiple tasks under pressure of deadlines
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience with Theatrical Unions
• Vectorworks, Lightwright, and Microsoft Office proficiency
• Experience developing and managing budgets
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a production management team and resolving problems
• Ability to work effectively in partnership with people of diverse cultural backgrounds
• Flexibility to work variable schedules, including days, evenings, and weekends
• Interest and willingness to work alongside contemporary works of art and performances which present challenging and provocative subject matter

Who Should Apply?

Research shows that many candidates—especially those from communities most affected by inequities—apply only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. At YBCA, no one meets 100%.

If much of this role resonates with you, we encourage you to apply. We are interested in building a mission‑driven, collaborative, and curious team, not in checking every box.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced with production management in high touch situations, partnering with clients to enable them to succeed.
• Detail‑oriented and comfortable managing multiple events simultaneously with precision and comprehensive follow through.
• Flexible to work with a wide range of staff, clients, vendors, and partners with diverse needs and priorities.

If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is $85,490 per year based on full‑time hours, and includes a competitive benefits package including:

• PTO & Holiday Pay
• Medical, Dental, Vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical & Parking/Commuter)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Group Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Reciprocal entry to participating Bay Area and North American museums (NARM)

Equal Opportunity Employer

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) is committed to diversity in its programming and in creating a work culture and environment that is reflective of San Francisco Bay Area demography. The Center encourages and actively recruits applicants representing dimensions of difference that include — but are not limited to — age, national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender or political affiliation.

YBCA will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

Accommodations

YBCA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. To request an accommodation at any stage of the application or hiring process, please contact accommodations@ybca.org with the subject line “Accommodations Request.”

Health and Safety

At YBCA, we continue to prioritize the health and well‑being of our community. Our current COVID‑19 health and safety protocols meet or exceed local, state, and federal public health requirements. We require proof of vaccination against COVID‑19 as a condition of employment. Exemption from these requirements will be reviewed according to standards set forth by state and local health agencies and reasonable accommodations will be made for those providing valid exemptions.

All initial interviews will be conducted remotely via phone or video conference. Please note that this position may perform some work remotely and on‑site responsibilities.

Application Status

Thank you for your interest in joining the YBCA team! After you apply, you’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know we’ve received your resume. Our recruiting team will review your application and reach out if your experience matches an open role.

We also invite you to upload your resume and join the YBCA Talent Community to stay connected and be considered for future opportunities as they become available. We wish you the best of luck in your job search!

Agencies and Recruiting Firms: Please note that we will only review applications submitted directly by candidates and do not accept resumes or pay fees to third parties. Any unsolicited resumes received will be considered the property of YBCA