Venue Technical Manager

Central Otago District Council; Cromwell Community; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Active social club

Learning and development opportunities

Supportive team culture

Wellbeing programme

Additional leave

Job summary

Central Otago District Council in Cromwell is seeking an experienced Venue Technical Manager to lead the technical delivery of all activity within the venue. This senior, hands-on role covers theatre, performing arts venue operations, live event production and technical planning from early stages to live delivery and pack-out.

You will provide leadership across lighting, audio, staging and AV systems, support venue operations and safety practices, and maintain technical infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years' experience in theatre, live event venues or related environments.
• Advanced knowledge of theatrical lighting and audio systems.
• Experience advancing productions and interpreting technical riders.
• Experience coordinating technical delivery for touring productions and external event organisers.
• Experience scheduling productions and maintaining technical docs.
• Able to troubleshoot quickly in live performances.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical production management for all venue events.
• Manage pre-production planning, technical docs and schedules.
• Advance productions and translate riders into venue plans.
• Coordinate technical requirements for touring productions and visiting artists.
• Provide hands-on operation of lighting, audio, staging and AV systems.
• Maintain venue technical systems and promote safety standards.
• Support health and safety planning and venue compliance.
• Build relationships with clients, artists, crews and suppliers.

Skills

Theatre lighting

Audio reinforcement

Staging & AV systems

Production planning

Health & safety

Communication

Independent & collaborative work

Education

Technical Production qualification

First Aid certification

EWP certification

Working at Heights training

Tools

ETC EOS

QLab

Job description

Closing Date: 22/10/2026

Job Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Cromwell

Job Category: Operations

The Venue Technical Manager is an experienced theatre and events professional responsible for leading the successful technical delivery of all activity within the venue.

This senior hands-on role requires substantial experience across theatre, performing arts venue operations, live event production and technical production planning. Working closely with clients, touring productions, artists and venue users, you will help deliver high-quality events from initial planning and technical advancement through to live delivery and pack-out.

You will provide technical leadership across lighting, audio, staging and AV systems, while supporting venue operations, maintaining technical infrastructure and promoting safe work practices throughout the facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical production management and delivery across all venue events.
• Manage pre-production planning, technical documentation and scheduling.
• Advance productions and interpret technical riders into venue-specific plans.
• Coordinate technical requirements for touring productions, visiting artists and event organisers.
• Provide hands-on operation and troubleshooting of lighting, audio, staging and AV systems.
• Maintain venue technical systems, equipment and safe work practices.
• Support health and safety planning, risk management and venue compliance.
• Build positive relationships with clients, artists, crews, suppliers and stakeholders.
• Contribute to a collaborative, creative and community-focused venue culture.

Desired Skills and Experience

• A minimum of five years' experience in theatre, performing arts venues, live event production, technical production or a closely related environment.
• Advanced knowledge of theatrical lighting, audio reinforcement, projection systems, staging and professional AV systems.
• Experience advancing productions and interpreting technical riders.
• Experience coordinating technical delivery for touring productions, artists, performers and external event organisers.
• Experience preparing production schedules, technical documentation and operational records.
• Experience operating in live-performance environments where rapid troubleshooting and decision-making are required.
• Experience using ETC EOS or a comparable professional lighting console.
• Strong knowledge of relevant industry standards and health and safety requirements.
• Excellent communication, organisation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends and public holidays when required.

Desirable Skills

• Qualification in Technical Production, Theatre Production, Event Production, Performing Arts or a related field.
• Experience using QLab show-control software.
• Current First Aid certification.
• Current EWP certification.
• Working at Heights training or certification

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• An active social club
• Learning and development opportunities
• Supportive team culture
• Wellbeing programme
• Additional leave

About Us

Here at Central Otago District Council, we are a team with a common goal - to make a meaningful impact on our community and shaping the future of this remarkable region. Joining CODC means more than just finding a new workplace; it’s about becoming a part of a network of forward-thinking individuals who are passionate about creating a positive and enjoyable work environment every day.

As a values-based organisation, we centre our work on our whakataukī: 'Me manaaki tētahi ki tētahi, me pakihiwitahi te tū - kia haere tahi ai tātou' - Respect each other, stand shoulder to shoulder - So that we may travel on this journey together.

Applications close: 22/10/2026