Vanessa Garrard
Ruta Teatral Inc
Portland,ME
2
Languages
16
years of professional experience
Producer, Project Manager, and Creative Operations professional with 16+ years of experience leading television, live events, theater, animation, and creative media projects from concept through execution. Proven expertise managing cross-functional teams, budgets, vendor partnerships, technical operations, and complex creative initiatives. Recognized for building collaborative teams, streamlining operations, solving high-pressure challenges, and delivering exceptional projects on time and within budget. Fluent in English and Spanish.
Work History
Line Producer / Production Manager
3 Months- Led all production operations for an immersive live theater production from pre-production through opening night and strike.
- Directed production planning across technical, creative, accessibility, operations, and executive teams, ensuring alignment on schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
- Recruited, interviewed, hired, and onboarded production personnel including technical staff and production contractors.
- Led weekly cross-department production meetings involving Technical Direction, Lighting, Sound, Stage Management, Accessibility, Creative Direction, and Executive Leadership.
- Managed vendor sourcing, contract negotiations, equipment rentals, logistics, transportation, and purchasing while maintaining production budgets.
- Coordinated venue logistics including installation sequencing, load-in/load-out, technical rehearsals, accessibility implementation, audience flow, and operational planning.
- Oversaw production documentation including schedules, production calendars, task tracking, technical timelines, expense reconciliation, and purchasing records.
- Collaborated with the Accessibility Coordinator to implement ASL interpretation, audio description, sensory-friendly accommodations, accessible seating, and audience accessibility documentation.
- Served as the primary liaison between executive leadership, venue management, creative teams, musicians, vendors, contractors, and production staff, proactively resolving logistical and operational challenges.
- Managed production timelines across dozens of simultaneous workstreams, ensuring successful execution in a fast-paced live production environment.
PM Strategic Partner | Head of Operations
1 Year 6 Months- Lead the organization's day-to-day operations, overseeing administrative processes, organizational planning, and cross-department collaboration to support the successful execution of multiple theatrical productions and programs.
- Manage project timelines, organizational priorities, and company-wide initiatives while ensuring alignment between executive leadership, production teams, marketing, administration, and external partners.
- Supervise and support production managers and producers throughout the production lifecycle, providing strategic oversight, guidance, and operational support while ensuring projects remain on schedule and aligned with organizational goals.
- Recruit, interview, hire, and onboard administrative staff, producers, designers, editors, contractors, and creative personnel to support the organization's continued growth.
- Develop and implement operational systems, workflows, documentation, and project management processes that improve communication, accountability, and efficiency across departments.
- Oversee organizational budgets, contracts, vendor relationships, purchasing, and administrative operations while supporting production planning and resource allocation.
- Coordinate creative direction for marketing campaigns, promotional photoshoots, branding initiatives, and audience-facing materials to maintain a cohesive organizational identity.
- Negotiate international theatrical licensing agreements and production rights with authors, agencies, and rights holders for professional stage productions.
- Lead organizational initiatives, special events, opening-night logistics, partnerships, and strategic planning efforts while serving as a key liaison between executive leadership and external stakeholders.
- Collaborate closely with the Executive Director to drive organizational growth, improve operational effectiveness, and support long-term strategic initiatives.
- Represent Ruta Teatral as the primary English-speaking liaison in meetings with international institutions, grant organizations, theatrical licensing agencies, rights holders, and strategic partners, leading negotiations and fostering relationships that support the organization's artistic and strategic initiatives.
Producer
2 Years 5 Months- Lead end-to-end production of animation and AI-driven creative projects, overseeing schedules, resources, budgets, and client deliverables from concept through final delivery.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, leading discovery meetings, defining project scope, aligning expectations, and maintaining strong long-term relationships throughout the production lifecycle.
- Manage multiple concurrent productions while coordinating cross-functional teams of directors, storyboard artists, animators, designers, editors, and voice talent to deliver high-quality work on schedule.
- Develop detailed production schedules, allocate resources, identify risks, and proactively resolve production challenges to keep projects on time and within budget.
- Facilitate communication between creative, technical, and business teams, ensuring alignment across all stakeholders and efficient decision-making throughout production.
- Lead kickoff meetings, production reviews, and client presentations while translating creative objectives into actionable production plans.
- Collaborate with leadership on production strategy, workflow improvements, and process optimization to increase efficiency across the studio.
Senior Project Manager | Client Success Manager
2 Years 7 Months- Managed a diverse portfolio of concurrent software implementation projects, ensuring successful delivery by balancing scope, timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations.
- Led discovery sessions, project kickoffs, and executive status meetings to align business objectives, technical requirements, and delivery strategies throughout the project lifecycle.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams including software developers, designers, database administrators, QA engineers, and business stakeholders to validate requirements, prioritize deliverables, and drive successful project execution.
- Built and maintained strong client relationships by serving as the primary point of contact, proactively communicating project progress, identifying risks, and implementing solutions to keep projects on track.
- Partnered with leadership to recruit, interview, and hire software developers and designers across South America, supporting the growth of distributed technical teams.
- Managed project workflows, sprint planning, and issue tracking using Jira, while leveraging CRM platforms to support client communications, project documentation, and customer success initiatives.
- Coordinated influencer partnerships to support client marketing campaigns and product initiatives.
- Produced and recorded bilingual (English and Spanish) training videos and onboarding resources to improve user adoption and enhance the customer experience.
Creative Producer | Project Manager
3 Years 7 Months- Produced live MMA events and television broadcasts for major networks, including Telemundo, Univision, ESPN, TV Azteca, and Gol, coordinating projects from pre-production through live execution.
- Led cross-functional collaboration between creative, production, operations, design, marketing, sales, talent, and executive teams to ensure seamless event execution and broadcast delivery.
- Managed production schedules, vendor relationships, and logistics for multiple live events while balancing competing priorities and tight broadcast deadlines.
- Served as the primary liaison between the Art Director, designers, vendors, sponsors, production crews, and executive leadership, ensuring clear communication and alignment across departments.
- Planned and managed studio and remote video productions, coordinating crews, talent, locations, production schedules, and deliverables from concept through completion.
- Coordinated, and managed relationships with fighters, influencers, celebrities, sponsors, and external partners participating in live events and promotional campaigns.
- Directed creative planning sessions and cross-department meetings, translating creative concepts into actionable production plans while resolving production challenges and communication gaps.
- Oversaw branding production, including print assets, event graphics, sponsor activations, and venue installations for nationally televised events.
- Coordinated weigh-ins, press events, promotional appearances, and other event logistics while ensuring a high-quality experience for talent, sponsors, and broadcast partners.
- Facilitated communication between English- and Spanish-speaking teams, talent, and stakeholders, supporting efficient collaboration across international productions.
Associate Producer
1 Year 3 Months- Produced a nationally broadcast, prime-time television program, managing content development and production from editorial planning through final broadcast.
- Developed and managed daily production schedules, coordinating producers, editors, on-air talent, and production crews to ensure seamless execution under tight broadcast deadlines.
- Collaborated with producers and hosts to develop engaging content, brainstorm new segment ideas, and organize the show's daily rundown.
- Planned and coordinated studio and remote video shoots, overseeing production logistics from pre-production through post-production.
- Edited broadcast content by selecting footage and crafting visual storytelling that enhanced news coverage and audience engagement.
- Served as an on-air reporter for recurring program segments, contributing both editorial content and on-camera presentations.
- Demonstrated versatility by stepping into multiple production roles—including Line Producer, Production Assistant, and Social Media Manager—to support the team's operational needs and ensure uninterrupted daily broadcasts.
- Contributed creative ideas that strengthened the show's content strategy and audience experience.
Head Producer
4 Years 2 Months- Produced two nationally broadcast, prime-time radio programs for La Mega, Circuito union Radio, Venezuela's leading radio network, overseeing all aspects of pre-production and live broadcasts.
- Collaborated with writers, hosts, and producers to develop creative content for one of the country's highest-rated and award-winning radio shows, occasionally providing voice performances for pre-recorded comedy sketches and character segments.
- Directed daily production operations, including show rundowns, recording schedules, and live broadcast coordination to ensure seamless on-air execution.
- Managed and coordinated multidisciplinary teams of radio hosts, production assistants, operators, editors, sound engineers, and producer relations staff.
- Ensured compliance with copyright regulations, music licensing requirements, and legal broadcasting standards for all on-air content.
- Monitored endorsement agreements and sponsorship commitments, ensuring contractual obligations were accurately executed during live broadcasts.
- Prepared and distributed daily music programming reports and production documentation.
- Mentored and trained incoming producers, supporting knowledge transfer and continuity within the production team.
Education
Bachelor - Mass Media Communication And Journalism
Skills
Project & Production Management • Creative Operations • Cross-Functional Leadership • Team Development & Hiring • Budget & Resource Management • Production Planning • Vendor & Stakeholder Management • Process Improvement • Contract & Licensing Negotiation • Event & Theater Operations • Marketing & Creative Direction • Bilingual (English & Spanish
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Line Producer / Production Manager
Hogfish Maine
05.2026 - CurrentRead More
PM Strategic Partner | Head of Operations
Ruta Teatral Inc
02.2025 - CurrentRead More
Producer
Animated Storyboards ASB, NY
04.2023 - 09.2025Read More
Senior Project Manager | Client Success Manager
RithmXO, Strut
08.2020 - 03.2023Read More
Creative Producer | Project Manager
COMBATE AMERICAS
01.2017 - 08.2020Read More
Associate Producer
SBS Broadcasting Network - MEGA TV
12.2015 - 03.2017Read More
Head Producer
Circuito Union Radio
03.2010 - 05.2014Read More
University of Los Andes
Bachelor from Mass Media Communication And Journalism
Read More