Assistant Head of Rigging - OVO

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is seeking an Assistant Head of Department, Rigging for touring shows. You will support and supervise rigging operations across rehearsals, performances, load-ins/outs, and city transfers, ensuring safety and artistic integrity.

The role requires formal rigging expertise, 3+ years of large-scale production experience, and fluency in English for a fast-paced international touring environment.

Qualifications

• Availability to tour internationally full-time and work in foreign countries.
• College diploma in live entertainment, theatre production, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 3 years of professional rigging experience on large-scale productions; aerial/human rigging experience strongly preferred.
• Touring experience in a live entertainment environment is an asset.
• Solid technical knowledge of rigging equipment, systems, and practices, including climbing gear, pulley systems, hoists, and counterweight systems.
• General knowledge of structural loads, automation interfaces, and motor control systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in rigging and mechanical systems.
• Ability to work confidently at height; fall protection training is an asset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; knowledge of AutoCAD or related software is an asset.
• Excellent teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Department in managing the department during rehearsals, performances, training sessions, load-ins, load-outs, and city transfers.
• Supervise, train, and support rigging technicians, local crew, and temporary staff; assist with onboarding and documentation.
• Act as interim Head of Department when required.
• Assist with scheduling, maintenance planning, and administrative follow-up.
• Operate rigging systems during rehearsals, performances, and artist training sessions; cover show tracks as required.
• Ensure rigging systems function safely and maintain artistic integrity in collaboration with the Artistic and Design teams.
• Inspect, maintain, and repair rigging systems, including climbing gear, pulley systems, hoists, counterweight systems, and motorized equipment.
• Participate in preventive maintenance programs and ensure inspections are documented accurately.
• Identify equipment defects or breakages and ensure timely repairs or replacements.
• Respond quickly to technical issues or emergencies during live performances.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation including cue sheets, safety logs, inspection reports, inventories, and customs documentation.
• Assist with ordering, tracking, and maintaining rigging supplies and equipment.
• Participate in load-in, set-up, strike, and load-out of rigging and other technical systems.
• Provide expertise and enforce safety standards for all work at height and climbing activities.
• Collaborate with Show Support, designers, and the Technical Director on equipment upgrades, special projects, and integration of new show elements.
• Support contingency planning to ensure uninterrupted operations in the event of equipment or system failures.
• Ensure compliance with Cirque du Soleil protocols, OSHA, and local safety regulations.
• Promote safe working practices in all rigging operations and enforce compliance among crew and local staff.
• Participate in Health & Safety trainings, emergency procedures, and promote Cirque du Soleil’s safety culture.
• Respond appropriately to on-site injuries or emergencies, documenting incidents in line with safety protocols.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and safe working environment aligned with Cirque du Soleil’s values.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Tour internationally

Technical rigging knowledge

Problem-solving

Teamwork & communication

English fluency

Work at height safety

Troubleshooting rigging systems

Climbing gear & counterweight systems

Documentation & safety logs

On-site emergency response

Planning & scheduling

Autodesk AutoCAD awareness

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

College diploma in live entertainment or theatre production

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Assistant Head Of Department, Rigging – Touring Shows

Acrobatic Rigging

We are looking for an Assistant Head of Department (“AHOD”), Rigging to support the rigging operations of one of Cirque du Soleil’s touring shows. Reporting to the Production Manager and working under the supervision of the Head of Department, Rigging, this role assists in the safe installation, operation, and maintenance of all rigging systems while ensuring the integrity of artistic concepts and the highest standards of safety and quality.

The ideal candidate is a skilled and safety-minded rigger with strong technical knowledge, excellent problem-solving abilities, and the adaptability required for a fast-paced touring environment.

• This is a full-time, internationally touring role. The successful candidate will work and travel across multiple countries with an international touring company where English is the working language of the production — fluency in English is required to perform the duties of this role.*

The Assistant Head of Department, Rigging will have the opportunity to:

• Support the Head of Department in managing the department during rehearsals, performances, training sessions, load-ins, load-outs, and city transfers.
• Supervise, train, and support rigging technicians, local crew, and temporary staff; assist with onboarding and documentation.
• Act as interim Head of Department when required.
• Assist with scheduling, maintenance planning, and administrative follow-up.
• Operate rigging systems during rehearsals, performances, and artist training sessions; cover show tracks as required.
• Ensure rigging systems function safely and maintain artistic integrity in collaboration with the Artistic and Design teams.
• Inspect, maintain, and repair rigging systems, including climbing gear, pulley systems, hoists, counterweight systems, and motorized equipment.
• Participate in preventive maintenance programs and ensure inspections are documented accurately.
• Identify equipment defects or breakages and ensure timely repairs or replacements.
• Respond quickly to technical issues or emergencies during live performances.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation including cue sheets, safety logs, inspection reports, inventories, and customs documentation.
• Assist with ordering, tracking, and maintaining rigging supplies and equipment.
• Participate in load-in, set-up, strike, and load-out of rigging and other technical systems.
• Provide expertise and enforce safety standards for all work at height and climbing activities.
• Collaborate with Show Support, designers, and the Technical Director on equipment upgrades, special projects, and integration of new show elements.
• Support contingency planning to ensure uninterrupted operations in the event of equipment or system failures.
• Ensure compliance with Cirque du Soleil protocols, OSHA, and local safety regulations.
• Promote safe working practices in all rigging operations and enforce compliance among crew and local staff.
• Participate in Health & Safety trainings, emergency procedures, and promote Cirque du Soleil’s safety culture.
• Respond appropriately to on-site injuries or emergencies, documenting incidents in line with safety protocols.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and safe working environment aligned with Cirque du Soleil’s values.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have The Following Qualifications:

• Required: Availability to tour internationally full-time and work in foreign countries.
• College diploma in live entertainment, theatre production, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience as a rigger on large-scale productions; aerial/human rigging experience strongly preferred.
• Touring experience in a live entertainment environment is an asset.
• Solid technical knowledge of rigging equipment, systems, and practices, including climbing gear, pulley systems, hoists, and counterweight systems.
• General knowledge of structural loads, forces, automation interfaces, and motor control systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in rigging and mechanical systems.
• Ability to work confidently at height; fall protection or rope access training is an asset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; knowledge of AutoCAD or related software is an asset.
• Excellent teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job including, but not limited to: crouching, kneeling, standing, lifting, sometimes for extended amounts of time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible and inclusive workplace. Proud ambassador of equality in employment, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is committed to eliminating discrimination based on age, skin color, origins, religion, sex, sexual orientation and any other characteristic. Neutral and inclusive writing is now preferred for all new job postings.