Technical Director- Live Events

The approximate salary range in New York and Washington State is $102,879- $126,026 per year with incentive opportunities. The approximate salary range in California and New Jersey is $94,965- $116,332 per year with incentive opportunities. The approximate salary range in Colorado is $87,501-$106,638 per year with incentive opportunities.

Position Overview

The Technical Director is responsible for assessing and determining technical requirements for large-scale events during the concept design and development phases.  This position will collaborate with Producers, Creative team members, and Project Managers to ensure the client’s vision is achievable based on the technical requirements, budgetary parameters, location of venue(s), and event schedule. The Technical Director is responsible for technical operations, as defined by the project SOW to include scenic, staging, audio, video, lighting, rigging and labor. Additionally, the Technical Director will oversee and/or develop all technical designs and engineering plans providing Creative and Producers with viable solutions and/or identifying potential challenges. The Technical Director will identify and source appropriate production services, equipment, and technical leads as defined by Encore’s Technical and Production Standards. This position will partner with Project Managers/Executive Producers for event, planning execution and on-site delivery, and support.  The Technical Director will report to either the Dir, Project Management or Dir, Production.

Key Job Responsibilities

Event Design

• Prepare and communicate preliminary production & labor schedules, project scope, and execution plan to Creative team, Producers, and Project Managers.

• Oversee development of event layouts, technical designs, engineering plans, wiring diagrams and scenic build drawings based on production requirements.

• Collaborate with Creative team and Producers in assessing the technical feasibility of conceptual designs and provide viable solutions while maintaining the integrity of the customer’s vision.

• Determine and secure resources and/or specialty vendors required for designing complex production elements.

• Participate in the evolution of the event design by attending internal and client meetings, creating preliminary show documentation, and responding to questions and/or concerns from Creative team, Executive Producers and Project Managers.

• Confirm appropriate equipment, technical positions, and production services are included in the proposal based on the production needs of the event.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients at all levels of their organization and provide outstanding customer service while focusing on client retention.

• Act as a technical resource about industry trends and Encore products, services, and departments.

Event Development

• Act as the point of contact for technical and logistical needs for Producers and Project Managers during the planning phase.

• Manage overall event technical design, development, and logistical planning from client approved scope of work to Producer/Project Manager handoff.

• Source and secure specialty vendors for unique production elements.

• Assume ownership of custom scenic builds.

• Communicate technical deliverables as outlined in the SOW to the Producer/Project Manager.

• Inform the Project Manager of client’s production standards, preferences, unique requirements, specific requests, and hot button issues.

• Support Producers/Project Managers with onsite technical challenges, design changes and equipment modifications.

• Mentor and communicate with encore Team Members on event design & development and provide best practices to help improve local knowledge base and experience of Project Managers.

• Ensure compliance with established Technical Standards and Production Standards.

• Follow up with Producer or Project Manager on-site to ensure that their needs are met, and the Creative team vision meets the client’s expectations.

Financial Management

• Assist in the creation, analysis, and execution of the project budget, partnering with regional leadership to mitigate external workforce and sub-rental spend.

• Manage design and engineering costs to align with proposed budget and inform the Executive Producer/Project Manager of additional unforeseen costs.

• Confirm vendor hard costs and ensure target margins are maintained.

Administrative & Training

• Participate in the development of Technical Director SOP’s.

• Conduct review and analysis of proposed events as required.

• Assist in the training and development of technical team members.

• Counsel Producers/Project Managers around technical best practices and industry innovations.

Job Qualifications

• BA/BS Degree or equivalent experience

• 7+ years of technical experience in the Corporate Staging or Broadcast industry. 

• 5+ years in a Project Managers role

• 3+ year of Supervisory experience preferred 

• Functional competencies in event staging, scenery, theatrical rigging, sound reinforcement, production lighting, and video systems and displays 

• Intermediate level drafting skills in drawing software (Vectorworks or AutoCAD)

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Strong Technical Background

• Strong Client relationship skills

• Familiarity with budgets and cost control

• Operational logistics experience 

• Works well under pressure 

• Ability to manage multiple complex job functions within a fast-paced environment 

• MS Office experience required

• Technical diagram knowledge/experience preferred

• Ability to travel up to 50% may be required

Competencies 

• Deliver World Class Service
• Hospitality
• Ownership
• Do The Right Thing
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness
• Drive Results
• Ensures Accountability
• See The Big Picture
• Decision Quality
• Manages Complexity
• Value People
• Collaborates

Work Environment

Hotel

Work is performed in a hotel/convention center environment with moderate exposure to outdoor temperatures and to dirt, sand and/or dust. The working conditions will vary between moderately quiet to noisy volumes. Team members will use high-end audio-visual equipment and electrical components and will be exposed to heights via lifts and ladders. Team members may be asked to work in multiple hotel locations. Working times will include irregular hours and on-call status including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Team members must adhere to appearance guidelines as defined by Encore based on an individual hotel or a representation of hotels in that city or area.

The above information on this description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job.  While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

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