Technical Manager – Scenic Production

Ethara; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Ethara is seeking an experienced Technical Manager – Scenic Production in Abu Dhabi to lead the technical planning, coordination and delivery of scenic production elements for a high-profile international event. The role requires translating approved concepts into buildable, venue-compliant solutions and coordinating across Scenic Production, AVL, Event Operations, Creative, HSE and venue stakeholders.

You will oversee installation sequencing, technical dependencies and inspections, ensuring

Qualifications

• 8–10 years in technical production, exhibition delivery or temporary event construction.
• 4+ years in a management or technical leadership role.
• Experience coordinating multi‑zone exhibition environments with scenic production, AVL and event operations teams.
• Strong knowledge of scenic construction, temporary structures, engineering interfaces and buildability.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical coordination and development of scenic production elements.
• Review concepts, layouts, CAD drawings and technical specs for feasibility and compliance.
• Coordinate plans, elevations, sections and installation methodologies with stakeholders.
• Work with Scenic Production Manager to resolve technical challenges from design to construction.
• Coordinate with AVL teams on audio, video, lighting, LED, projection and rigging.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project coordination

Scenic production

CAD drawings review

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Communication

Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree (Engineering/Technical)

Master's degree (advantage)

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

MS Office

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Technical Manager – Scenic Production to join our team immediately on a contract basis in Abu Dhabi, supporting the technical planning, coordination and delivery of scenic production elements for a high-profile international event.

The successful candidate will be responsible for translating approved creative concepts into technically coordinated, buildable and venue-compliant solutions, ensuring the seamless integration of scenic structures, engineering requirements, technical systems and venue infrastructure.

This role requires extensive experience in technical production, scenic construction, engineering coordination and large-scale exhibition delivery, with the ability to manage complex technical interfaces across Scenic Production, AVL, Event Operations, Creative, HSE and venue stakeholders.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the technical coordination and development of scenic production elements, ensuring alignment between creative design, engineering requirements and onsite execution.
• Review approved creative concepts, layouts, renders, CAD drawings, shop drawings, structural details and technical specifications for feasibility, buildability and compliance.
• Coordinate scenic plans, elevations, sections, structural details and installation methodologies with relevant technical stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Scenic Production Manager to resolve technical challenges and ensure alignment between design development, fabrication and construction.
• Coordinate with AVL teams on audio, video, lighting, LED, projection, rigging and other technical interfaces within scenic structures.
• Collaborate with Event Operations on venue infrastructure, MEP provisions, site constraints, installation sequencing and operational requirements.
• Review structural loads, fixing methods, engineering requirements, access provisions and temporary construction interfaces with specialist contractors and engineers.
• Identify and resolve technical clashes between scenic structures, AVL systems, rigging, electrical services, MEP and venue infrastructure.
• Coordinate technical documentation, engineering calculations, structural submissions, certifications and approvals with suppliers, HSE and venue stakeholders.
• Review supplier technical submissions, drawings and installation methodologies to ensure accuracy, completeness and compliance with project requirements.
• Support technical procurement reviews, value engineering assessments and evaluations of construction methodologies.
• Coordinate technical specifications, bills of quantities (BOQs), risk assessments and method statements (RAMS), engineering submissions and inspection requirements.
• Maintain technical drawing registers, approval trackers, coordination logs and documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
• Align technical development and engineering requirements with scenic fabrication schedules, supplier deliverables and construction milestones.
• Coordinate installation sequencing, technical dependencies, first-fix requirements and inspection hold points with Scenic Production, AVL and Operations teams.
• Oversee the technical aspects of scenic installation, ensuring works are carried out in accordance with approved drawings, engineering methods and venue requirements.
• Conduct joint inspections, identify technical defects and coordinate snagging, corrective actions and compliance checks.
• Verify the technical readiness of scenic infrastructure before AVL installation and commissioning.
• Support final inspections, technical handover, live event operations and dismantling activities.
• Monitor technical progress, engineering approvals, installation readiness and outstanding technical issues.
• Identify and escalating technical risks, design conflicts, construction constraints and programme impacts, recommending practical mitigation measures.
• Maintain accurate technical reports, risk registers, approval records and close-out documentation.

Job Specifications

• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience in technical production, scenic technical coordination, exhibition delivery or temporary event construction.
• At least 4 years of experience in a management or technical leadership role.
• Demonstrable experience coordinating multi-zone exhibition environments and working across scenic production, AVL and event operations teams.
• Strong technical knowledge of scenic construction, temporary structures, engineering interfaces and buildability requirements.
• Ability to review and interpret CAD drawings, shop drawings, structural details, technical specifications and installation methodologies.
• Strong understanding of technical integration between scenic structures, AVL systems, rigging, power, MEP and venue infrastructure.
• Experience coordinating structural loads, fixing methods, engineering calculations, technical approvals and venue compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of technical specifications, BOQs, risk assessments, method statements (RAMS), inspections and engineering submissions.
• Proven experience managing technical coordination, design reviews, construction interfaces and onsite technical challenges.
• Strong understanding of installation sequencing, technical snagging, inspection procedures and project handover requirements.
• Experience coordinating with specialist contractors, engineers, suppliers and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Strong planning, prioritisation, technical documentation and problem-solving skills.
• Commercial awareness, with the ability to support technical procurement reviews and value-engineering assessments.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder coordination and technical leadership capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, manage competing priorities and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Previous UAE/GCC event delivery experience is preferred.
• Experience working at major international exhibition and conference venues is an advantage.
• Flexibility to work onsite, including extended hours, night shifts, weekends and public holidays, in line with event requirements