Director of Event Production

ABOUT THE POETRY PROJECT

Since 1966, The Poetry Project has expanded access to literature, education, and opportunities for sharing one’s creative work in a radically open space and community. Premised on the vision that cultural action at the local level can inspire broader shifts in public consciousness, The Project is committed to developing, collaborating on, and presenting programming that challenges persistent social narratives, especially through the lens of poetry and performance. They do this work through a combination of live readings, performances, lectures, events, and workshops, in addition to literary and critical publications and emerging writers and curatorial fellowship programs.

At the center of The Poetry Project’s work is an abiding commitment to nurturing the lifelong and community-wide development of poets, writers, artists, and performers. It is important to note, as well, that The Poetry Project’s staff has historically been comprised of people who are themselves working poets and artists. As an organization they are committed to providing a work environment that supports the staff’s wellness and various creative practices as well as the artists and writers that they invite and host.

Located in the East Village, The Poetry Project is based out of St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery—a vibrant artistic and community space which includes the St. Mark’s Church congregation, Danspace Project, and New York Theatre Ballet.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Event & Artist Coordination

• Communicate with curators and process technical requests from performers for all live events, including:
• Coordinating production logistics with the Programming Director, event curators, organizers, and collaborators
• Supporting special tech needs and accessibility requests
• Communicating tech needs and requests to event technicians
• Coordinating rehearsals and tech sessions
• Processing A/V releases for recording and livestreaming audio and video footage; communicating permissions with event technicians
• Developing a Run of Show for each event for curators and event support team
• Liaise with St. Mark’s Church and Poetry Project staff to reserve space for special events and onsite workshops
• Coordinate with Program Director to support tech requests from workshop leaders
• Manage The Poetry Project’s event production calendars and workflows
• Manage book orders for all live events; process and ship book returns

Event Team Management

• Manage and liaise with The Poetry Project’s team of event technicians, videographers, photographers, CART captioners, and volunteers to ensure event coverage for all live events, special events, and the New Year’s Day Marathon
• Manage volunteer registration forms for seasonal programming, respond to volunteer inquiries throughout the year, and maintain volunteer database
• Train, evaluate, and supervise event technicians, event support staff, and volunteers on procedures for running onsite events throughout the programming season and communicate personnel issues or complaints about work conditions to Executive Director or Deputy Director, as appropriate
• Supervisory main point of contact for volunteers and part-time event support staff, including Program Assistant, Audio Technical Managers, and Videographers
• Coordinate seasonal meetings with part-time event support staff to review programming, scheduling, tech requests, and all production-related questions, concerns, or requests

Event Production (Annual Programming)

• Provide onsite management for at least one event per week, special events, and the New Year’s Day Marathon, including:
• Manage event technicians and Program Assistant
• Assist coordinating tasks for volunteers and event support staff
• Assist in event setup and breakdown
• Conduct box office and book box reconciliations and submit financial, book sales, and attendance reports following all live events, special events, and the New Year’s Day Marathon
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director to administer vendor contracts and relationships related to event production including equipment rentals, purchases, and freelance production services
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director to develop and implement audio and video archival workflows
• Manage, inventory, and care for The Poetry Project’s audio, lighting, and video equipment in coordination with Audio & Technical Managers, including:
• Generating a list of A/V equipment and supplies that need to be ordered, as needed
• Ordering small-ticket A/V equipment and supplies, as needed
• Submitting purchase requests for large-ticket equipment and supplies, as needed
• Responsibly disposing of damaged and/or obsolete equipment, as needed
• Manage and inventory other event-related supplies and place orders, as needed

Event Production (New Year’s Day Marathon)

• Manage and liaise with The Poetry Project’s team of event technicians, videographers, photographers, CART captioners, and volunteers to ensure event coverage for the New Year’s Day Marathon
• Create Marathon volunteer registration forms and manage inquiries, role assignments, and Volunteer Coordinators
• Coordinate livestream production
• Process technical requests from artists and readers
• Develop and maintain Run of Show for the full Marathon program and share with Poetry Project staff and event technicians

Archival Work

• Collaborate on all aspects of The Poetry Project’s archival processes for video and recordings of live events such as digitizing and editing audio, cataloging archival materials, and collaborating on the design and implementation of the digital archive.
• Implement and lead special onsite operational and event production projects, as needed.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• 1–3 years minimum of relevant project management, administrative, and/or event production experience
• 1–3 years minimum of direct experience with live audio/video production for public events preferred
• Familiarity with Adobe Suite audio/video editing software, or openness to training
• Familiarity with Airtable and Google Drive, or openness to training
• Demonstrated openness to working collaboratively and with strong attention to detail
• Knowledge of poetry and the literary arts, with preference given to individuals who are writers
• Current residence in New York City
• Availability to work evenings between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM, and up to four days per week onsite at St. Mark’s Church (131 East 10th Street, New York)
• Please note this role requires standing, walking up and down stairs, and the ability to lift and move equipment up to 40 pounds

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• $75,000–$80,000 commensurate with experience
• Generous vacation and paid time off policies
• Full coverage of health, vision, and dental insurance by employer
• 401(k) plan

The Poetry Project is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. They welcome and encourage applications from applicants of all races, ethnicities, religions, gender and sexual identities, ability statuses, ages, veteran statuses, and any other categories protected by applicable law.