University of Arizona
The Experience Production Manager (EPM) supports the Presidential Events & University Ceremonies team in designing and producing high-profile university events that create extraordinary and memorable experiences for UArizona audiences. Reporting to the Executive Director of Experience, the EPM applies theatrical production principles to enhance event design, audience engagement, and logistics. This role leads cross-functional teams and coordinates with vendors to manage all aspects of event execution, including staging, décor, lighting, audio, audience flow, talent coordination, and security. With strong communication and project management skills, the EPM develops schedules, budgets, and production plans while ensuring seamless collaboration across teams. Through creativity and strategic planning, this position plays a key role in shaping impactful experiences that reflect the university’s mission and vision.
Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.
- Design experiences and events. Bringing in theatre and creative design history and principles, work with PE-UC client managers to design ideal experiences that reach or exceed the event goals. This includes designing the entirety of the physical event landscape, from site and theme to the placement of all hard and soft furnishing, floor-to-ceiling décor, food and beverage, accessibility, camera, lighting, sound, staging and any other technical needs, audience, staff and security placement and flow – as needed.
- Create all drawings, renderings and plots needed to communicate these designs to all collaborators.
- Pitch concepts with collaborators to leadership as needed.
- Manage event teams and vendors leading up to and during events to implement designs.
- Engage vendors and internal stakeholders to carry out design selections approved by clients.
- Negotiate pricing, personnel, timing and contract terms in order to build the best experiences possible while working within budget and physical constraints.
- Creatively problem-solve technical, budget, personnel, space and timing conflicts by working with all teams to ensure shipping, load-in, setup, load-out, power, networking, and other team needs are all balanced and aligned with the event goals.
- Create, garner buy-in and alignment for, disseminate, adjust and enforce briefs, schedules, maps, elevation drawings, timing and terms as needed.
- Build rehearsal schedules, run walk-troughs, sound checks and rehearsals, ensure on-stage talent understands cues and manage talent on-stage and/or lead stage management team as needed.
- Create cues from script, work with executive director, writing team, designers, asset creators, client managers and production teams to block shows and ensure all production assets are in hand, in correct format, and that the production team is ready to run a show as planned.
- Communicate directions with talent and production teams in a clear and respectful manner in advance, during, and after shows as needed.
- Creatively solve and negotiate problems as they arise, always maintaining professional, direct, respectful and timely communications.
- Create and disseminate necessary documentation at all stages.
- Collaborate to analyze effectiveness of designs and implementation to build and improve processes.
- Plan, manage and schedule after event debriefs, collect information from stakeholders and process learnings into insights for consideration to improve processes.
- As they surface, work with teams to pitch these processes and help build momentum for their implementation.
- Help campus teams learn from your expertise and your work.
- Consult on select high-level events as time permits.
- Build bridges with internal stakeholders and look for ways to decrease event friction across the institution.
- Seek out internal and external resources for existing event-related challenges, help select viable solutions and propose plans for adoption.
KNOWELEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Proficiency with programs such as VectorWorks, AutoCAD and/or SketchUp, and the ability to spec out, read and make appropriate decisions based on technical drawings.
- Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud programs and cloud-based workflows including Microsoft Office and the Google suite among others.
- Expertise in scenic, stage, and lighting design, including set construction, rigging, and stage layout.
- Strong stage management skills, including cue creation, rehearsal scheduling, and live show execution.
- Expertise in stage management, script blocking, cue creation, and show direction.
- Ability to design, plan, and execute immersive event experiences, incorporating staging, lighting, sound, audience flow, and décor.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience (theatrical production, event production, stage management, or set design), or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
- A Bachelor’s degree in any of the following areas is preferred but not required: Theatre, Theatre Management, Architecture, Fine Arts Live and Experience Arts, Immersive Experience Design, or a related field.
- A Master’s degree in any of the following fields preferred but not required: Theatre, Theatre Management, Architecture, Fine Arts, Live and Experiential Arts, Immersive Experience Design, or a related field.
- Certification in Customer Experience (CX), Event Planning, or Production Management.
- Experience in immersive event design, live performance direction, or concert production.
- Familiarity with emerging event technologies, including projection mapping, AR/VR, and interactive digital media.
The Grade Range Minimum, Midpoint, and Maximum Fields listed below represent a full range of career compensation growth over time in this position and grade. Each unit typically sets starting pay between minimum and midpoint upon hire. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.
micheleh@arizona.edu
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.
