Senior Coordinator, Production Services

About the role

The Senior Coordinator of Production Services is a full‑time, non‑exempt position in the Student Centers department of Vanderbilt University’s Division of Student Affairs. Reporting to the Associate Director, the role leads a team of professional and student staff to deliver professional audio, video, and lighting production services for a diverse portfolio of university and external clients, supporting over 800 events annually ranging from corporate sessions and lectures to large‑scale theatrical productions and high‑profile university events.

Responsibilities

• Provide audio, video, and lighting production services across Student Centers venues, including Alumni Hall, Commons Center, Carmichael Conference Center, Kissam Center, Sarratt Student Center, Rand Hall, Student Life Center, Rothschild College, Black Box Theater, Community Event Space, Langford Auditorium, outdoor event spaces, and designated residential and academic locations.
• Serve as the primary production contact for student performing groups and multicultural showcases, coordinating technical requirements, logistics, and operational details.
• Oversee operation, maintenance, and reliability of installed audiovisual technologies; offer technical consultation and recommendations for new AV installations and system upgrades.
• Evaluate and provide feedback on AV equipment to ensure consistency, functionality, and alignment with departmental needs.
• Develop, implement, and enforce policies, procedures, and standards governing the use of facilities and AV equipment.
• Supervise professional and student staff, providing day‑to‑day leadership, coaching, training, and performance evaluations.
• Manage inventory of production assets (approximately $6 million worth, including 100 wireless microphone systems, ~500 lighting fixtures, and multiple large‑format projectors), conduct software updates, quality checks, and gear maintenance.
• Attend pre‑production meetings, review audio/lighting cues, scripts, and technical documents; program theatrical lighting cues and mix audio for varied events.
• Utilize the Event Management System (EMS) to review, approve, and track event inquiries, equipment needs, and logistical details throughout the event lifecycle.
• Develop and manage student staff work schedules, prepare reports, create budget proposals, and recommend equipment purchases.
• Act as project manager for installations within Student Centers spaces and auxiliary buildings; maintain vendor relationships for purchases, repairs, and contracted services.
• Conduct post‑event reviews, communicate findings to the production team, and promote continuous improvement.
• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and develop professional and student production staff to maintain appropriate staffing levels.
• Facilitate staff professional development, ensure compliance with policies, and update emergency preparedness procedures.
• Serve as liaison with campus partners to ensure event management policies align with university standards.
• Participate in divisional committees, working groups, and institutional initiatives, contributing to the broader mission of Student Affairs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Valid state‑issued driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record; participation in Vanderbilt’s motor‑vehicle record monitoring program.
• Dante Certification Level 1 and 2 preferred.
• Shure, Yamaha, or CTS certifications preferred.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of related experience required; 5 + years preferred, especially in technical direction, stage management, event or facility audiovisual management, employee supervision, project resource management, and budgeting.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team of production services staff.
• Experience with roles such as A1, A2, L1, L2, V1, V2, AV1, and Stage Manager for corporate events and musical performances.

Skills

• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Dante, Yamaha DM7/DM3, and Behringer/Midas X32/M32 audio consoles.
• Expertise in Shure large‑scale wireless systems and Wireless Workbench for audio mixing across diverse event types.
• Intermediate familiarity with ETC Ion, EOS, and ETC Lustr lighting consoles; experience programming DMX‑based fixtures (e.g., Desire Fresnel).
• Ability to read, interpret, and program theatrical lighting cues.
• Strong technical troubleshooting skills for professional audio, video, lighting, and production systems, including video switchers, cameras, projection/display systems, sound reinforcement, intelligent lighting fixtures, laser and digital cinema projectors.
• Budget forecasting based on equipment and personnel needs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Physical capability for frequent heavy lifting, climbing ladders, catwalks, scaffolds, and operation of single‑person and 20‑foot scissor lifts.
• Comfort working in varied climates, weather conditions, and environments.
• Familiarity with safe working practices for counterweight and concert rigging, staging, power distribution, and (preferred) laser displays and pyrotechnics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.

Schedule

This is a full‑time position with occasional weekend and nighttime work required based on event scheduling needs.