Virtual Experiences Producer
The Virtual Experiences Producer leads the planning, production and successful delivery of Shiftology Communications’ Virtual Farm Trips® and other virtual experiences.
The foundation for our nationally recognized Virtual Farm Trips® program has been built. This role is about exceptional execution: taking each virtual experience from concept through completion, coordinating the people and moving parts involved and ensuring Shiftology delivers what we promised — on time and at a consistently high level.
This is an ideal role for an experienced producer and project manager who loves bringing complicated projects together, anticipates what needs to happen next and takes pride in making an experience look seamless to the client and audience.
Reports To: Director of the Shift Studio
Direct Reports: Virtual Events & Communication Coordinator (planned future hire)
Works Closely With: Account Managers, Shift Studio specialists and client account teams
The Role
The Virtual Experiences Producer owns the production and execution of Virtual Farm Trips® and other virtual experiences.
The Producer works in partnership with the Account Manager, who owns the overall client relationship, strategy and account health. The Producer translates client goals and approved concepts into exceptional virtual experiences and takes responsibility for everything required to successfully produce them.
Success in this role is measured by quality, reliability, organization, problem solving and follow-through.
When a virtual experience goes live, the Producer should know that the right people are prepared, the technology has been tested, the content is ready, the production team knows its role and contingencies have been considered.
Primary Responsibilities
Virtual Experience Production
- Lead production of Virtual Farm Trips® and other live, recorded and hybrid virtual experiences from planning through completion.
- Translate approved client strategies and concepts into detailed production plans.
- Develop production timelines, run-of-show documents, technical plans and project work plans.
- Coordinate hosts, subject matter experts, client representatives, production partners, vendors and internal team members.
- Lead rehearsals, connectivity tests, technical checks and production meetings.
- Direct live virtual productions and make real-time decisions when circumstances change.
- Ensure presentations, graphics, videos, scripts, engagement tools and other production assets are ready and integrated into the experience.
- Anticipate production challenges and develop contingency plans before they become problems.
- Oversee post-production needs, recordings, content distribution and other follow-up associated with each experience.
- Ensure every virtual experience reflects Shiftology's quality and professional standards.
Project Management & Follow-Through
Project management is a core responsibility of this position.
- Build and maintain detailed project plans for every virtual experience.
- Establish milestones, deadlines, responsibilities and dependencies.
- Keep projects moving and proactively follow up with clients, partners and team members when information or deliverables are needed.
- Manage multiple concurrent productions with different clients, audiences, timelines and requirements.
- Identify risks, capacity concerns and potential delays early and escalate them appropriately.
- Ensure commitments made to clients are documented, assigned and completed.
- Maintain organized project documentation and production files.
- Conduct post-project reviews and capture lessons learned for future productions.
- Continuously improve production systems, templates, checklists and workflows.
Client & Account Team Partnership
The Virtual Experiences Producer is an important client-facing team member but does not serve as the primary Account Manager for Virtual Experiences clients.
The Producer will:
- Partner closely with the Account Manager to understand client goals, expectations and scope.
- Participate in client meetings when production expertise is needed.
- Provide recommendations related to format, production, technology, audience experience and feasibility.
- Clearly communicate production needs, deadlines, risks and decisions to the Account Manager and client.
- Help identify opportunities to strengthen or expand virtual experiences and bring those opportunities to the Account Manager.
- Ensure the production experience reinforces the strong client relationship being managed by the Account Manager.
The Account Manager remains accountable for the overall client relationship, strategic counsel, account growth, contract renewal and broader business development.
Content & Experience Development
- Collaborate with Account Managers, content strategists, designers and other Shift Studio specialists to develop engaging virtual experiences.
- Recommend formats, segments, engagement techniques and production approaches that strengthen audience participation and learning.
- Help translate complicated agricultural, scientific and technical information into compelling virtual experiences.
- Apply lessons from previous productions and emerging technology to continually improve the participant experience.
- Protect the integrity and quality of the Virtual Farm Trips® brand while adapting the model for new audiences and applications.
What Success Looks Like
A successful Virtual Experiences Producer creates confidence.
Clients trust that Shiftology has the details covered. Account Managers know projects are moving without having to chase them. Production partners know exactly what is expected. Presenters feel prepared. The Shift Studio knows what it needs to deliver and when.
Most importantly, audiences experience polished, engaging virtual events without seeing the considerable coordination happening behind the scenes.
Success will be demonstrated through:
- Virtual experiences delivered on time, on scope and at a consistently high level.
- Strong project plans with clear ownership and deadlines.
- Few preventable last-minute surprises.
- Excellent preparation for live productions.
- Reliable follow-through on client and internal commitments.
- Effective communication with Account Managers, clients and production teams.
- Strong production systems and documentation.
- Continuous improvement in efficiency and audience experience.
- Effective delegation and development of the Virtual Events & Communication Coordinator.
The Ideal Candidate
The right person for this role is a producer and project manager at heart.
They are someone who:
- Gets satisfaction from making complicated projects run smoothly.
- Thinks several steps ahead and notices what other people may miss.
- Is exceptionally organized and dependable.
- Takes ownership rather than waiting to be reminded.
- Can manage numerous details without losing sight of the overall experience.
- Remains calm and decisive during live productions.
- Communicates clearly and professionally with clients, executives, farmers, educators, subject matter experts and production partners.
- Is comfortable directing people and making decisions.
- Understands technology well enough to troubleshoot and coordinate technical production.
- Knows when to solve a problem independently and when to escalate it.
- Can balance established processes with creative problem solving.
- Takes pride in finishing what they start.
Qualifications
Required
- Experience producing live events, virtual events, broadcasts, webinars or similar experiences.
- Experience with Zoom, OBS Studio, Restream and similar virtual production platforms.
- Significant professional experience managing complex projects, events, productions or communication programs.
- Demonstrated project management experience with multiple simultaneous deadlines and stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Exceptional organization and attention to detail.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions under pressure.
- Ability to lead projects involving internal teams, clients and external partners.
- Comfort learning and using virtual production technologies and platforms.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in communication, public relations, marketing, event production, broadcast production, digital media, education, agricultural communication or a related field.
Preferred
- Agency or client-service experience.
- Experience with Monday.com or another project management platform.
- Experience supervising or developing junior employees.
- Experience working in agriculture, education or science communication.
- Familiarity with EOS or another structured business operating system.
Salary & Benefits
Salary
Base Salary starts at $70,000-$90,000 with bonus potential up to 10% of base salary.
Benefits
2 weeks PTO, paid holidays and flexibility; 401(k) (eligible the Jan. 1 or July 1 after 6 months of continuous employment); profit sharing; employee health plan and HSA; employer-paid basic life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability. Voluntary term life. Cell phone ($600/year annually) and internet reimbursement ($600/year annually).
Apply
Send your resume, three references and work samples/portfolio to Kari Griffith ([email protected]). This deadline to apply is Sept. 4.
Travel
Approximately 15–20% travel is anticipated for virtual experience productions, client meetings, rehearsals, professional development and other business needs.
Some productions may take place on farms, at agricultural facilities or in other nontraditional production environments. The Producer should be comfortable traveling to and working from these locations.
Work Hours
This is a full-time, salaried position. Because live productions do not always occur during traditional business hours, occasional early mornings, evenings and weekends are required.
Most productions are scheduled well in advance. Strong planning and project management should minimize unnecessary work outside regular business hours.
Location
Shiftology Communication is headquartered at COhatch in Springfield, Ohio. This is a remote-first position that includes in-person attendance for productions, rehearsals, client meetings, team meetings and other activities based on business needs.
Why Shiftology?
Shiftology Communication was founded in 2008 to create tangible impact in agriculture, rural health and communities through science-based communication.
Our award-winning team applies research, communication science, creativity and exceptional execution to help clients reach more people, convince them of their value and achieve measurable business wins.
Virtual Farm Trips® are one of the ways we bring that mission to life — connecting audiences with people and places they may never otherwise experience.
Vision
Be the communication partner who brings about positive, meaningful change for the communities we serve.
Mission
We clarify complicated concepts in agriculture, rural health and communities to create more meaningful connections. We win when our clients are empowered to reach their stakeholders, convince them of their value and achieve measurable business wins.
Core Values
Our core values guide our work every day and play an important role in our hiring decisions:
- Creative problem solver
- Collaborative team player
- Closer who drives results
- Curious lifelong learner
- Strong Character who does the right thing
- Skilled Communicator who gets to the heart of the story
Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Springfield, OH 45502
