AV & Events Production Lead in Bainbridge Island, Washington at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art

DEPARTMENT: Public Programs

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Director of Museum Events

STATUS: Non-Exempt, Full-Time

HOURS: Hourly, 40 hours / week

COMPENSATION RANGE: $27.89 / hr - $34.62 / hr, DOE

BENEFITS: Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits, Vacation, Personal & Sick Time, 403(b)

POSITION OVERVIEW

The AV & Events Production Lead takes primary ownership of AV and technical production across all of BIMA's spaces, which include the auditorium, galleries, and event areas throughout the building and outside. This role ensures every space is technically excellent, consistently supported, and presented professionally to visitors, clients, artists, and performers. Reporting to the Director of Museum Events, this role is at the intersection of technical mastery and community-facing production.

Reporting to the Director of Museum Events, the AV & Events Production Lead works proactively across departments, owns the day-to-day health of BIMA's AV systems, and serves as the primary technical point of contact for artists, performers, and clients. This role requires a strong blend of live sound expertise, AV systems knowledge, IT networking proficiency, and a genuine commitment to community-facing work.

The AV & Events Production Lead must be fluent in Q-SYS system design and administration and Dante network audio routing — the backbone of BIMA's AV infrastructure. We are looking for someone who brings energy, curiosity, professionalism, and deep technical experience to a fast-paced, mission-driven organization.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. BIMA is a non-profit art museum dedicated to filling our space with diverse and inclusive employees, guests, and artists. We strive to ensure all voices are heard, valued, and welcomed regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Live Sound & Event Production

- Provide full-service live sound for professional concerts and performances, including live mixing, monitor mixes, microphone selection and placement, and signal chain management, this is a core function of the role.

- Provide AV and technical support for the full range of BIMA programs: film screenings, lectures, panels, receptions, fundraisers, gallery events, and special programs across all museum spaces.

- Meet with featured performers, lecturers, and clients in advance of events to assess technical requirements and ensure a seamless, professional setup.

- Manage multiple concurrent deadlines, evolving project requirements, and diverse stakeholder needs.

- Work as part of a fast-moving, collaborative events team, jumping in to help others when needed. As part of this small team, the candidate will need to help with general event production work at times including setting tables and chairs, taking tickets, prepping and cleaning event spaces, opening and closing the building, setting up food/beverages, and other responsibilities included with event management. Adaptability and strong problem-solving skills are essential.

- Other duties as assigned.

AV Production Ownership & Space Activation

- Take primary ownership of AV and technical production across all BIMA spaces, ensuring every space is clean, presentation-ready, and consistently supported for the programs happening within it.

- Proactively review the events calendar to anticipate upcoming AV needs; reach out to departments and program leads in advance to ensure all technical requirements are identified and fully supported well before the day of the event.

- Work with the marketing team to receive and maintain a consistent auditorium programming schedule, reducing dark days and increasing visibility of what's happening in the space.

- Support the Director of Museum Events in contracting bands, performers, and artists for auditorium programming, serving as a production point of contact for talent AV logistics.

- Other duties as assigned.

AV Systems Operation & Management

- Operate and administer BIMA's Q-SYS Core-based audio, video, and control platform as the primary system for all auditorium and event presentations, including system design modifications, plugin management, and day-to-day operation.

- Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Dante network audio routing across BIMA's AV infrastructure, including device discovery, clock synchronization, latency management, and channel routing via Dante Controller.

- Maintain and operate BIMA's lighting systems in support of events and performances.

- Other duties as assigned.

IT & Networking

- Maintain and support BIMA's AV-over-IP and general IT network infrastructure, including managed switches, VLANs (dedicated AV, control, and general staff networks), and network segmentation best practices.

- Manage, configure, and troubleshoot AV-connected devices, including networked amplifiers, DSPs, display endpoints, control processors, and computers.

- Ensure firmware, software, and Q-SYS system files are kept up to date and properly backed up; document all system configurations and changes.

- Coordinate with external IT vendors or consultants as needed for infrastructure projects or escalated troubleshooting.

- Maintain cybersecurity awareness and apply best practices to networked AV equipment.

- Other Duties as assigned.

Training & Documentation

- Create and maintain clear, accessible documentation for all AV and IT systems so that trained backup staff can confidently cover standard event operations.

- Develop training materials for Q-SYS UCI (User Control Interfaces) used by non-technical staff during events.

- Other Duties as assigned.

Equipment & Inventory

- Oversee BIMA's technical inventory; maintain all equipment, including projectors, displays, microphones, amplifiers, Q-SYS hardware, Dante-enabled devices, networking gear, tables, and chairs in excellent working order.

- Coordinate equipment repairs, replacements, and new installations in partnership with the Director of Museum Events.

- Other Duties as assigned.

OFF-PEAK & PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES

During slower seasons (typically summer and early fall), the AV & Events Production Lead is expected to use downtime proactively by driving projects that strengthen systems, build institutional knowledge, and set the department up for a stronger busy season.

Systems & Equipment

- Perform deep maintenance and servicing of all AV equipment while it is not in heavy rotation.

- Conduct system audits across all spaces, documenting what is working, identifying what needs repair or replacement, and building a prioritized project list for the Director of Museum Events.

- Implement firmware, software, and Q-SYS system updates that carry too much risk to run during peak season.

- Identify and propose improvements to programming, including speaker placement, cable management, display upgrades, and capital investment recommendations.

- Other Duties as assigned.

Content & Programming

- Build a proper playlist system for the auditorium loop and identify content gaps to fill.

- Collaborate with the Director of Museum Events and marketing to build out the fall and winter auditorium programming calendar in advance.

- Other Duties as assigned.

Documentation & Training

- Build and refine staff training materials and backup operator guides while time allows for thoroughness.

- Create standardized AV setup guides for each museum space so any trained staff member can reference them for straightforward events.

- Document full network and system configurations so that institutional knowledge is accessible, preserved, and not dependent on any single person.

- Other Duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & PREFERRED SKILLS

- High school diploma plus two or more years of relevant work experience in professional AV, live events, or a related technical field.

- Fluency in Q-SYS system design, administration, and real-time troubleshooting; proficiency with Dante network audio routing.

- Working knowledge of IT networking fundamentals: managed switches, VLANs, IP addressing, and AV-over-IP best practices.

- Comfortable working directly with artists, performers, and clients; strong customer service and communication skills, including explaining technical concepts to non-technical staff.

- Calendar coordination, or production logistics, in a fast-moving events environment.

- Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends; able to lift 30–40 pounds. Attendance at the Annual Auction is required.

- Genuine belief in BIMA's mission to inspire curiosity, wonder, and understanding by connecting people with the contemporary arts and craft of the Puget Sound region.

- Genuine belief in BIMA's mission to inspire curiosity, wonder, and understanding by connecting people with the contemporary arts and craft of the Puget Sound region.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, activities, and benefits may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.