Production Manager

About the Role

As Production Manager, you will lead the end-to-end technical delivery of assigned productions, from initial concept and planning through to staging, season maintenance, and touring. Partnering closely with creative teams, internal technical departments, and external suppliers, you will ensure productions are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest artistic and technical standards. This is a pivotal role in bringing Opera Australia’s productions to life and upholding our reputation for excellence on and off the stage.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all scheduling and technical requirements for allocated productions, ensuring they are delivered efficiently, safely, and within budget.
• Realise the creative team’s vision through effective planning, problem-solving, and resource management.
• Oversee supplier contracts, budgets, and expenditure tracking across production, elements including sets, props, lighting, sound, and digital.
• Maintain comprehensive production records and ensure timely communication across departments.
• Coordinate and chair production meetings and debriefs, documenting outcomes and action items.
• Support the Technical Director in insurance, risk management, and WHS compliance.
• Develop and manage logistics plans for bump-ins, strikes, touring, transport, and storage.
• Provide technical support for associated events, sponsorship activations, and international touring projects.

About You

• 5+ experience managing technical aspects of live performance, theatre, or large-scale productions.
• Strong understanding of WHS practices and risk management within a production environment.
• Demonstrate ability to manage teams and lead people to achieve results.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with a collaborative working style to build successful relationships within OA, alongside contractors and suppliers, within performing arts venues and the wider industry.
• Demonstrate problem solving and analytical skills including creative thinking and the ability to translate non-technical requests into technical specification or information and plans, making substitutions or negotiating change as appropriate.
• Strong project management skills and experience including exceptional attention to detail and an ability to forward plan, integrate and manage multiple events and activities to strict deadlines.
• Provide experience developing and managing budgets and timelines for theatrical productions.
• A passion for live performance and delivering exceptional experiences for artists and audiences.

What We Offer

As Australia’s National opera company, we are committed to fostering a safe and collaborative environment for all. Our values are Curious, Creative, Collaborative, Brave, and Inclusive, and we are dedicated to supporting your journey at OA.

• Hybrid and flexible work environment by mutual agreement
• Strong diversity and inclusion priority
• Generous Leave Policy including First Nations Cultural & Ceremonial Leave, Cultural & Religious Holiday Leave, Education Leave, Women’s Health, Leave, Gender Affirmation Leave, and more
• 16weeks' paid Parental Leave and continued payments of superannuation if using Unpaid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted private health insurance
• Access to salary packaging through SmartSalary
• Discounted retail goods through our Swag Rewards platform and other affiliated businesses
• Compliment tickets to select Opera Australia performances

If this sounds like you, click ‘Apply’ to send through your CV and cover letter addressing how you meet the key responsibilities of the role.

Applications close on 24th April 2026.

For any enquiries about this role, please contact our Talent Acquisition Specialist, Jessica.Owen@Opera.org.au.

About Opera Australia

Opera Australia (OA) is one of the nation’s most important cultural institutions. With a rich history and a global reputation for artistic excellence, OA presents over 500 performances each year—reaching more than 650,000 people through opera, musicals and concerts.

Our productions span iconic venues such as Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne, as well as regional centres across the country. This year, OA is celebrating its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades of artistic excellence, innovative programming and national impact. From its beginnings as a small, community-driven company to its place today as the nation’s premier opera company, OA continues to reimagine opera and musical theatre for contemporary audiences—nurturing Australian talent both on and off stage, collaborating with leading international and local companies, commissioning new work, and sharing extraordinary stories through music and song.

OA is committed to artistic innovation, national reach and cultural leadership. With a full-time orchestra, dedicated chorus and a highly skilled workforce, OA is Australia’s largest performing arts employer and plays a vital role in Australia’s performing arts landscape and in the lives of audiences nationwide.

For more about OA please refer to our website: opera.org.au

Opera Australia is committed to enabling and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. Our team come from all walks of life. We acknowledge that all individual differences, life experiences, self-expression, and talent represent our culture and reputation of Opera Australia. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression.