Technical Director

Encore; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading events company is seeking a Technical Director to oversee technical operations across departments including rigging, lighting, and sound. The role involves leading diverse technical teams, developing talent, and managing project execution while maintaining high standards. With responsibilities ranging from overseeing training programs to providing technical expertise in large-scale events, the ideal candidate will need a Bachelor's degree and significant experience in the events industry. The position offers a collaborative atmosphere and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Private Healthcare after 12 months

Employee supported volunteering

Enhanced family leave provisions

Employee recognition scheme

Employee referral scheme

Access to state-of-the-art technology

Long Service Programme

Qualifications

• 5+ years of technical experience in the Events industry.
• 5+ years in a Project Manager role.
• 3+ years of Supervisory experience preferred.
• Functional competencies in event staging and production techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple complex job functions within a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the region’s technical capability across multiple disciplines.
• Oversee efficient technician deployment and manage resources.
• Collaborate with creative teams to assess technical feasibility.
• Develop and maintain technical standards in line with EMEA SOPs.
• Support Producers in resolving technical challenges during projects.

Skills

Event staging

Scenery

Theatrical rigging

Sound reinforcement

Production lighting

Video systems and displays

Strong written communication

Strong oral communication

Ability to manage complex tasks

Education

BA/BS Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Position Overview

The Technical Director is responsible for leading the region’s technical capability, encompassing Heads of Department and technicians at all levels across the core technical functions: Rigging, Lighting, Sound, Video and General Technicians. They play an active role in developing technical talent and work closely with Learning and Development to design and implement structured technical training programs.

On a day-to-day basis, the Technical Director leads the Labour and Equipment team and ensures technicians are deployed efficiently and appropriately across all projects. This includes ensuring the correct level of technical accountability is profitably applied to each project, aligned to scale, complexity and audience size. They actively manage technicians non-show time to balance operational efficiency with training, warehouse activity and preproduction, while keeping overtime and TOIL within to a minimum.

The Technical Director supports large-scale projects from the earliest stages, contributing technical expertise during concept design and development. Working collaboratively with Producers, Creative teams and Project Managers & TEMS they ensure creative intent is deliverable within technical scope, budget parameters, venue constraints and event timelines.

The Technical Director is accountable for developing, implementing and maintaining technical standards in line with EMEA SOPs.

The Technical Director reports directly to the Regional Managing Director with functional reporting to EMEA Operations (GDO, GWD). They will be the main representative at the EMEA level for Structural and Procedural SOP’s. The role has accountability to the Warehouse, Production and Venue leaders to ensure aligned planning, efficient deployment of resources and consistent technical delivery across all projects.

Company Benefits

• Private Healthcare after 12 months of continuous service
• Employee supported volunteering
• Enhanced family leave provisions
• Perkbox and Employee assistance Programme
• Company sick pay
• Employee recognition scheme
• Generous employee referral scheme
• Clearly defined Career path (and all the important support along the way)
• Access to state-of-the-art technology
• Global presence and opportunities worldwide
• Long Service Programme

Key Job Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead the region’s technical capability on a day-to-day basis, encompassing Heads of Department and technicians at all levels across Rigging, Lighting, Sound, Video and General Technical functions.
• Own the development of technical talent, working in partnership with Learning and Development to design and deliver structured training programs.
• Performance management of the “Technical Pool” with additional attention to OSAT scores and feedback to inform behaviour.
• Ensure non-event time is planned and utilised effectively across training, warehouse activity and preproduction, maintaining operational readiness and skills progression.
• Oversee efficient technician deployment, ensuring the appropriate level of technical accountability is applied to each project based on scale, complexity and audience size.
• Manage overtime and TOIL to a minimum, considering commercial performance, team wellbeing and delivery requirements.
• Work with key stakeholders to develop, implement and maintain regional technical standards across pre-production, on-site delivery and post-event processes, in line with EMEA SOPs.

Event Support & Technical Delivery

• Partner with Creative teams and Producers to assess the technical feasibility of concepts, providing clear, viable solutions that protect creative intent while remaining achievable within budget, venue constraints and timelines.
• Support the evolution of event designs by contributing technical insight in internal and client meetings and producing or reviewing early-stage technical documentation as required.
• Ensure appropriate equipment, technical roles and production services are defined and aligned within project proposals and delivery plans.
• Act as the primary technical point of contact for Producers and Project Managers during the planning phase of complex and large-scale projects.
• Support Producers and Project Managers in resolving on-site technical challenges, design changes and equipment modifications.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Encore team members on event design, technical planning and delivery best practice.
• Ensure all projects comply with established Technical and Production Standards.

Operational & Administrative

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of Technical SOPs and working practices.
• Review and assess proposed events from a technical and operational perspective, identifying risks, efficiencies and delivery considerations.
• Advise Producers and Project Managers on technical best practice, emerging technologies and industry innovation to support creative and commercial outcomes.

Job Qualifications

• BA/BS Degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of technical experience in the Events 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
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong Technical Background
• 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

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.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.