Head of Production

Recess Studios is a brand agency built to challenge the expected. With offices in Portland and New York, we deliver end-to-end brand solutions, foundational development, consistent application across every touchpoint, and strategic amplification that drives impact. Our multidisciplinary team imagines worlds, crafts honest narratives, and creates experiences at the intersection of culture and commerce. We prize Good Honest Work by Good Honest People, building lasting partnerships through clear standards, tidy operations, and results that exceed expectations.

JOB OVERVIEW

Recess is seeking a Head of Production to lead our Experiential Production function. This role will sit in New York and oversee the full lifecycle of experiential production: scoping, budgeting, resourcing, vendor management, fabrication, on-site execution, and quality control across all physical experiences.

The ideal candidate is a confident leader who blends vision with operational precision. They excel in fast-moving, often undefined environments where details are evolving and priorities shift, maintaining clarity and momentum through strong planning and problem-solving. They make decisive calls, move projects forward with confidence, and bring structure, communication, and accountability to every stage of physical production.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Department Ownership

• Lead the Experiential Production function with clarity, consistency, and uncompromising standards.
• Build systems and workflows that create predictable, efficient, best-in-class execution.
• Partner closely with Creative, Strategy, and Account to ensure early alignment, clean handoffs, and shared ownership of outcomes.
• Develop and maintain a trusted network of vendors, fabricators, specialists, and freelance partners across key markets.
• Create clear vendor evaluation criteria and nurture long-term, high-performing relationships.
• Model and uphold Recess values: excellence, accountability, ingenuity, and creative rigor in every project.

Production Oversight

• Own end-to-end production for experiential initiatives, from scoping to launch.
• Translate creative concepts into clear, executable, and budget-aligned production plans.
• Oversee budgets, schedules, production calendars, and risk mitigation with precision and transparency.
• Lead RFPs, bids, cost negotiations, and vendor oversight to ensure creative ambition meets operational reality.
• Guarantee all deliverables meet Recess’ quality standards before a client ever sees them.
• Protect project profitability while improving efficiency and creative output across workflows and partners.

Operational Excellence

• Build processes that let the studio scale with control and consistency.
• Design tools, systems, and reporting structures that create visibility, accountability, and speed.
• Ensure full compliance with safety, permitting, insurance, and local regulations (deep familiarity with NYC requirements is key).
• Maintain rigorous QA/QC standards across fabrication, installation, and on-site execution.
• Solve problems fast and decisively, bringing clear options and solutions

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the senior production lead and trusted point of contact for clients and partners.
• Communicate with confidence, transparency, and composure under pressure.
• Present production strategies, budgets, and timelines with clear rationale and creative sensitivity.
• Anticipate challenges before they surface and guide clients through decisions with calm authority.

Team Development

• Mentor and grow producers at every level through clarity, feedback, and ownership.
• Create a team culture grounded in trust, accountability, and proactive problem-solving.
• Oversee resourcing across the experiential pipeline — balancing workloads, forecasting needs, and assigning projects strategically.
• Lead and coach freelance producers and coordinators, ensuring collaboration and shared standards.
• Encourage autonomy: producers arrive with solutions, not just questions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8–12+ years experience in experiential production, creative fabrication, brand activations, or large-scale event production.
• Proven track record producing high-complexity builds and premium experiential work for globally recognized brands.
• Deep understanding of NYC production logistics, permitting, labor unions, and local vendors.
• Strong background in budget management ($1M+), logistics, vendor procurement, and technical production.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing producers, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong financial acumen, negotiation skills, and vendor management capabilities.
• Ability to travel and work nights/weekends as needed for builds and on-site execution.

BENEFITS

• Salary: Potential total comp package $175,000+
• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Competitive company Holidays
• Flexible PTO
• WFH Flexibility
• 401K w/ Company match