PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

TEAM: Thacker Mountain Radio Hour

MANAGES: Directly Manages paid interns and volunteers; Laterally Manages show crew

REPORTS TO: Executive Director, Friends of Thacker Mountain Radio, Inc

LOCATION: in or near Oxford, MS

SALARY RANGE: $22,500 – $25,500 / annually

 

THE ROLE

The Friends of Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, Inc seeks a Production Director to book, produce, and manage weekly live and radio broadcasts. In addition to pre-production responsibilities, the Production Director will also manage the live stage production for recording and rebroadcast. Liaising with the Sound Engineer, artists, and other booking and venue partners is essential for this role. Working closely with our dynamic Board of Directors, the Executive Director, Host/Associate Producer and first-rate crew the Production Director will continuously improve the quality and production value of our radio broadcasts as we move into a major growth phase with plans to increase our live performance and radio broadcast footprint.

 

THE ORGANIZATION

The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour was founded by former Oxford musicians Caroline Herring and Bryan Ledford, and Richard Howorth, owner of Square Books, a much-beloved bookstore on the Oxford town square. The show was named by Howorth after a fire observation tower atop Lafayette County’s Thacker Mountain, five miles south of Oxford. The tower somewhat resembles a radio tower and Howorth felt the approximately 700-foot elevation of this “mountain” was appropriately modest for the show’s beginning aspirations. In 2007, Friends of Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, Inc formed to create a 501(c)3 organization and today we work to fulfill our mission: To celebrate and document the evolving sounds and stories of a diverse South.

 

THE PERSON

Though the Production Director is likely to see themselves in the following examples these are not requirements.  Rather, these examples are designed to help you determine if this opportunity aligns with your passion and purpose.

  • You operate with an enterprise-level lens. You thrive on understanding a multifaceted arts organization and see the links between program and administration as an important lens through which you make decisions. You care deeply about people feeling appreciated and supported as you steward projects and relationships. You attend to details and simultaneously consider the big-picture because when you do, you ask better questions and deliver better results and stronger impact.
  • You love collaboration. You recognize the importance of doing work in partnership with others. People enjoy working with you and believe that you care about the success of the entire organization or group. People describe you as a strong team-player who makes people feel valued regardless of identity markers.
  • You operate with a learning orientation.  You are an exemplar of lifelong learning and recognize that though mistakes are teachers we learn to be better and stronger as an entire organization. You are energized by learning new networks and how relationships fit together to get from one point to another.
  • You are a self-starter. Though you are a skilled collaborator, you are also able to work effectively on your own. You are a team-player who looks to lend capacity to new tasks when you complete your own. 
  • You sweat the details. You love to get into the weeds and attend to every detail. You’re energized by strong systems and organization is a strength. You understand that bringing people into your detailed work is a key component of strong partnership and ensures that the organization maintains momentum no matter what.

 

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

Below are key areas of responsibilities for this role. While responsibilities will shift from day-to-day, these are the priorities for our Executive Director role.

 

Major Work Streams:

  • Production Administration (50%)
    • Research musical acts with historical and/or cultural connection to the American South, screen acts for the show, book acts for the show.
    • Coordinate with Square Books (and other bookstores, depending on show location) to identify and book literary guests for the show.
    • Ensure post-production of the live recording is excellent quality including coordinating with sound engineer to edit when necessary.
  • Event Management & Stage Direction (30%)
    • Manage all production advance communication, coordinate venue logistics, negotiate and execute artist contracts for all live recordings.
    • Coordinate volunteers, paid interns, and crew to set up and tear down venue for each performance (including Front of the House tables, etc.).
    • Direct all aspects of live recording of the show and be prepared to trouble shoot in the moment when necessary.
  • Manage Paid Interns, Volunteers & Serve as Crew Liaison (15%)
    • .Find, interview, and hire excellent interns for two paid intern positions (stage manager and Front of House).
    • Build cadre of diverse volunteers to run the live recording (preferably creating a culture that provides continuity and sustainability for volunteers).
    • Liaise with Crew (especially the Host) to ensure smooth production and performance of all live recordings and broadcasts.
  • Other Organizational Responsibilities (5%)
    • Attend to any other organizational responsibilities that may arise.

 

Prior experience

One to three years of work experience leading or working closely with stage productions and/or radio

Record of success in a fast-paced, high performing work environment

Experience in booking a plus

 

Education

Bachelor’s degree or more

 

Work Demands

Regular travel and evening work throughout the year to support live productions and growth opportunities for the live performance and radio broadcast.

 

Skills

  • Ability to make timely decisions and demonstrate good judgment
  • Exceptional customer service orientation
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to tailor approach towards the perspective of others
  • Evidence of ability to prioritize and act proactively

 

Apply Now

To be considered for this role, you must submit an online application and cover letter tailored to your interest and fit with the Executive Director position. Please submit materials via email to Julie Addison, President (julie.lynne.h@gmail.com).

 

Benefits and Salary

Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. Friends of Thacker Mountain Radio, Inc. begins with a 10 days paid personal leave for new employees (in addition to paid holidays) and a salary range of $22,500 – $25,500 / annually.

 

Commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

Friends of Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, Inc is committed to maximizing the diversity of our firm, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to the political arena. To that end our orgnaization is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member) or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. 

 

This job description reflects Friends of Thacker Mountain Radio Hour’s assignment of essential functions and qualifications of the role. Nothing in this herein restricts management’s right to assign, reassign or eliminate duties and responsibilities to this role at any time.

 

Next Steps

Interested in this position? Apply now!