Production/Stage Manager

Located in Grundy County, Tennessee, The Caverns is a world-renowned destination known for live music in beautiful natural settings, the Emmy-winning PBS television series The Caverns Sessions, and a magical cave system for different skill levels of exploration. Inside The Caverns subterranean venue, guests to “The Greatest Show Under Earth” revel in the prehistoric venue’s natural acoustics and otherworldly beauty. The outdoor amphitheater sits at the foot of the Cumberland Plateau with the rolling Tennessee hills as a backdrop. Whether underground or above ground, live music at The Caverns is a bucket list experience that keeps fans coming back time and again. www.thecaverns.com

The Caverns is seeking an experienced Production/Stage Manager to join our team. The ideal candidate works well in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, and possesses extensive knowledge in live music venue production. Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to effortlessly align with team members and culture. This role works both remotely and in person at all events as an integral part of the team and under the supervision of the General Manager, Operations Manager and the CFO.

The Caverns Production/Stage Manager manages events inside the subterranean cave & outdoor amphitheater stages. This role is responsible for advancing shows/events, ensuring seamless communication across the entire company, managing production budgets, oversees maintenance/inspections of all production gear/equipment, manages & onboards all production labor & subcontractors, and manages invoices & payments. This role requires a proactive individual with strong leadership and communication skills, the ability to thrive in an ever-changing environment with health & safety as a priority. 

Ideal candidate will be willing to relocate or live nearby the venue and have previous experience in a venue Production Management role. 

Key Responsibilities:

Advancing Shows/Events: Plan and advance all upcoming shows and events minimum 30 days prior to the event date. Ensure all production-related details are communicated clearly and accurately to clients and all venue staff. 

Team Coordination: Work closely with venue managers and department leads to communicate all production and show details, providing written schedules and updates at least 30 days prior to each event. Attend all staff meetings and communicate all pertinent known information. 

Production Event Budget Management: Review and understand every event offer/contract to ensure all production-related costs are agreed upon at a minimum 30 days prior to each event. Track and communicate production budgets to pertinent venue staff.

Onsite Production & Stage Management: Oversee and assist as needed with load-in/out operations for each event. Manage onsite communication via radio as needed between clients/artists as well as venue staff. Hire and manage qualified production staff as needed per event needs/budgets. 

Day Of Event Artist Team Logistics: Coordinate and oversee the execution of artist arrival, day-of-show logistics, parking and transportation needs within set budgets in conjunction with Artist Hospitality manager. Manage production crew hotel needs for local crew and collect/approve/submit invoices accordingly. Schedule pre-show security meetings with artists/clients and all necessary venue staff. Document each security meeting has taken place and topics covered. 

Equipment Rental: Shop quotes, and order necessary gear/backline for each event within budget, manage delivery/returns, and approve all related invoices. Maintain inventory and oversee maintenance of all production equipment. Maintain and develop relationships with vendors & subcontractors. 

Venue Gear Maintenance & Inspections: Continuously update and manage venue tech riders. Oversee maintenance of sound, lighting, stages and all production equipment throughout the year. Ensure cleanliness and organization of all production-related spaces. Set inspection and maintenance plans based on manufacturer requirements if provided or set inspection plans up and document inspections/maintenance. 

Staff & Subcontractor Management: Recruit, hire, train, and manage all production staff and subcontractors. Schedule staff, collect necessary documentation (W9s), COIs and handle disciplinary actions as needed in accordance with venue management. Negotiate rates and oversee invoice processing within budget.  Review, approve and submit all invoices and staffing hours for payment in accordance with timelines set by venue management. 

Continuous Improvement: Lead efforts to upgrade equipment and improve production quality and efficiency within budget. Proactively seek ways to enhance the onsite performance spaces & production experiences for patrons/clients/artists/crew.

Qualifications:

Previous experience in a Production Management role.

Strong leadership and team collaboration skills.

Ability to respond to last minute changes in a calm, proactive manner focused on solving problems in a timely & professional manner. 

Eagerness to work & communicate with a diverse group of people. 

Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. 

Extensive knowledge of production budgeting, event contracts, and logistics. Proficient in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Gmail, etc.) within a business environment, with a willingness to learn new tools as needed.
Willingness to relocate or already live near the venue. 

Ability to lift & bend equipment and work in various weather conditions outdoors is a must. 

 
Due to the nature of the industry, candidates must be willing to work long hours, weekends and some holidays.

 
Benefits:

Access to company health insurance
Flexible schedule
Work from home (when not onsite for events)
401K 

To apply please submit resumes to [email protected] please include relative work experience and at least three references with contact information.  Be sure the subject line of email says “Production & Stage Manager”. Please submit resumes prior to September 15, 2024. 

At The Caverns, an employee’s first 180 days of employment are considered an introductory period. This introductory period will be a time to get to know fellow employees, managers, and the tasks involved in the position, as well as becoming familiar with the Company’s culture, processes & procedures. The General and Operations Manager will work closely with the Production Manager during this time to ensure a full understanding of their overall position. Employees should feel free to ask as many questions as needed to get up to speed.

Completion of the introductory period has no impact on the at-will employment relationship; it does not guarantee continued employment or that an employee will only be terminated for cause.