Production Director

Our Vision

Central Synagogue is one of the leading and largest Reform congregations in the country. Located in Midtown Manhattan, Central’s reach includes more than 2,800 member families, a livestream community numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and more than 800 students, from birth to twelfth grade, in the Nursery and Religious schools. It has long played a significant role in the national Reform movement and is known for its innovation and leadership in worship, leading to a greatly expanded audience over the last two decades.

Central Synagogue works toward a world in which Judaism is core to the lives of Central members and Jews everywhere and is a profound and positive force for humanity. Central continually redefines what it means to be Jewish today, both within the Synagogue community and far beyond the Synagogue’s walls. The diverse clergy and professional team work hard, in collaboration with lay leadership, to build deep and enduring relationships among Central members, creating a caring, dynamic, and joyful community.

Central Synagogue is an inclusive and welcoming community. The Synagogue encourages participation from all who seek a connection to Jewish life and want to be part of its sacred community regardless of religious background, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Central is committed to being an open tent, a place that welcomes all people, including those who have been historically and institutionally marginalized or excluded from the Jewish community. The Synagogue is well resourced, has over 100 staff, and is governed by a 29-member Board of Trustees. To learn more, please visit: https://www.centralsynagogue.org/.

Job Summary/Objective

The Director of Production will help oversee the synagogue’s AV Department, any events with production or AV (Shabbat Services, Staff Presentations, Speaker Series, Concerts, Weddings, Funerals, Lectures, Film Screenings, Religious School, etc.) and other events as necessary. This position oversees audio and visual systems in multiple spaces but primarily the Main Sanctuary and basement studio, handles production issues, post-production work and supports staffing demands as needed. This position requires experience in audio engineering, operating video, and live streaming. The Director of Production is responsible for communicating needs for services (clergy requests, service specifics, etc.) or any issues or changes in the synagogue’s AV, as well as on AV needs and improvements. This position is also responsible for working with the Technology Department and overseeing the Live Web Streaming program, as well as live production management with the Jewish Broadcasting Service (JBS)- the Synagogue’s cable television affiliate. The Director of Production will oversee work with vendors on system maintenance and upgrades. The Director of Production is also responsible for hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising freelance Audio-Visual Assistants/Techs. The Director of Production also oversees all facets of production for our High Holiday services (where we are approaching 1 million viewers on our streaming platforms, including 35,000 unique viewers on a weekly basis), broadcasts and auxiliary services (i.e., David Geffen Hall).

This position requires working flexible hours during the week, dependent on the synagogue’s operations schedule and to staff all necessary shifts with an AV Technician, in addition to office hours to cover the administrative duties related to the role. Must also work services for Jewish Festivals, Holidays, and multiple services for the Jewish High Holy Days. Success in this role includes achieving an industry leading quality of audio and video production, calmly troubleshooting technical issues that arise in our production systems, actively suggesting new ideas to senior staff and working collaboratively across the organization.

Reports to Senior Cantor

Department Clergy Study/Music Department

Hours

Full-time, exempt, and not eligible for OT

• Schedule dictated monthly based on calendar of events; flexible hours, Saturday-Sunday
• Expected to work High Holy Days
• Expected to be at all Friday night services except when time off approved by Senior Cantor

Essential Functions/Key Responsibilities

Technical:

• all audio and video systems and related equipment on Central Synagogue campus for Main Sanctuary, Pavilion, Beir Chapel, Lese Lobby, 110 conference room, 9th Floor and other smaller spaces (as needed) – working with our Technology staff, Operations staff and AV Staff
• for securing competitive bids and working with facilities on installations achieving budgetary timeline goals
• for identifying and maintaining relationships with consultants as appropriate.
• Responsible for maintaining and making recommendations on appropriate upgrades for all audio, video and streaming needs/equipment in sanctuary building , AV rooms and all other spaces in the facility.
• Troubleshoot and perform regular maintenance on all Sanctuary sound, lighting, and video/streaming systems
• Advise and recommend all Audio/Visual system equipment purchases to supervisor
• Oversee and finish any sound and video system upgrades

Production:

• Assume director role during Friday night Shabbat services, directing and overseeing production of both audio and video in the sanctuary and online
• Direct, plan, determine, coordinate, procure and oversee operation of all AV and production needs for year-round events in coordination with our Operations/Clergy/AE Depts, including staffing
• Interface with clergy, staff, religious school, artists and musical directors to provide requested equipment for all related AV needs
• Hire staff to set-up and operate Audio-Visual equipment for Central Synagogue events and rehearsals
• Lead production coordinator for High Holidays and Shabbat, Interviewing and hiring additional staff as needed for larger productions on Holidays and/or special events
• Handle any production issues with JBS

Post-production:

• Produce, Edit, Duplicate, Label and Archive video for weekly services and all requested events
• Distribute copies of links and files from Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Weddings, Funerals, Baby Namings and Auf Rufs to families in a timely manner (2-4 weeks), as well as keeping a log of all links sent to congregants
• Maintain organized YouTube link archive of all service videos
• Perform media transfers as requested
• Deliver requests from Communications Department in a timely manner
• Make sure AV Staff uploads Friday evening sermons to YouTube and podcast
• Upload video clips to YouTube on an as-needed basis from Clergy, AE Communications Department

Management:

• Hire, Train, Schedule, and Supervise freelance Audio-Visual Assistants/Techs
• Provide Audio-Visual assistance, training and advice for all Central Synagogue staff
• Prepare annual AV Capital Budget and annual AV Expense Budget
• Maintains steady contacts and relationships with the greater AV world in NYC and abroad (vendors, other congregations, etc.)
• Maintains an organized and clean facility, with all equipment properly labeled and stored in their proper locations
• Work to continue to grow technical knowledge and seek input from markets, peers, and other professionals in production to identify areas of improvement year to year

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sound, Film, Music Technology, Recording, Communications or a related technical field
• 5 years minimum working in Audio/Video production field
• Highly detail-oriented; ability to multi-task; extremely organized
• Proficient in Mac and PC operating systems
• System and Technical operations troubleshooting experience
• Must have excellent rapport and people skills with senior management and clergy, as well as front line staff, congregants and guests
• Must be a willing and supportive team member
• Must work seamlessly and gracefully under pressure
• Must have flexible hours
• Technical expertise and a trained-ear a must
• Interest in emerging technology and new developments in process and equipment
• Knowledge of Jewish Ritual, Services and Religious Customs preferred
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Other Duties:

Please note that the above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.It should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The expected salary range for this position is $100,000 to $125,000. Central Synagogue offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community. The salary is commensurate with experience based on several factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience. The above salary range represents the Synagogue’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation range at the time of posting.

Additional Information:

Central Synagogue requires all staff members (full-time AND part-time) to (a) provide proof of vaccination and booster against COVID-19 or (b) obtain an approved exemption as an accommodation.If you are offered employment this requirement must be met by your hire date unless a reasonable accommodation for exemption is received and approved.

Hybrid Schedule: Central Synagogue employees are not eligible for fully remote work. One day remote for this position is available on Monday and four days in the office.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit a resume along with a cover letter to [email protected].

Please reference “Director of Production” in the subject line of your email. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.