Associate Technical Director

The Woodruff Arts Center; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the arts sector seeks an Associate Technical Director to enhance production quality and team collaboration. This pivotal role involves supporting the Technical Director in organizing technical information for productions, managing shop staff, and ensuring artistic excellence. The ideal candidate will bring a wealth of experience in theatrical construction, strong project management skills, and proficiency in CAD drafting. Join a vibrant team dedicated to creating exceptional art and education initiatives at one of the nation's largest arts centers, where your contributions will directly impact the community and the arts landscape.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in theatrical construction and management required.
• Proficiency in CAD and project management essential.

Responsibilities

• Support the Technical Director in managing scenic designs.
• Lead the Alliance Theatre Scene Shop and supervise staff.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Team Management

CAD (AutoCAD)

Theatrical Scenic Construction

Budgeting

Microsoft Office

Education

Experience in Theatrical Construction

Education in Technical Theatre or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

Associate Technical Director page is loaded

Associate Technical Director

Apply locations Memorial Arts Building time type Full time posted on Posted 30+ Days Ago job requisition id 2025-0003

Woodruff Arts Center employees play an integral role in creating and supporting great art and education initiatives at the nation’s third largest arts center. Comprised of three Art Partners—Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art—there’s a role for everyone at The Woodruff.

Reports to: Technical Director

FLSA: United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Employment Status: Regular/Full time

The Alliance Theatre is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our work, including play selection, casting, marketing and public relations efforts, education programs, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and the composition of the Board of Directors. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage all applicants who are committed to contributing to an equitable and inclusive work environment to apply for a role with us without feeling like they need to meet every single qualification of the position, specifically people from traditionally excluded/marginalized groups. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Summary:

The Associate Technical Director (ATD) is responsible for supporting the Technical Director (TD) in the preparation and organization of technical information pertaining to the scenery of any given production, through collaboration with the design team and the other production departments, working from knowledge of standard theatrical technical design. Under the overall management of the TD, leads the Alliance Theatre Scene Shop in fulfilling scenic designs for all productions. Scenery is produced to meet the director and designer’s vision for a show within the allotted time, budget, and scope. The ATD handles show logistics, manages shop staff, interfaces with designers, and helps maintain the Alliance Theatre’s high values of artistic excellence. Strong applicants will have a demonstrated background in theatrical construction, experience leading a high-functioning team, a high level of proficiency in CAD drafting and the ability to communicate effectively with designers, production staff and shop crew. The ATD is expected to take on a leadership role in the production of scenery in the shop and the installation of scenery in the theatrical space.

Essential Duties include the following:

Staff Supervision

• Deliver construction drawings to the shop floor and troubleshoot projects.
• Supervise and direct crew in the absence of the TD.
• Actively participate in team building and fostering a work environment of artistic excellence and inclusion.

Budget Responsibilities

• Create production budget estimates, schedules, and reports as assigned by the TD.
• Source, purchase and maintain record of materials and services.
• Exercise fiscal responsibility and accountability in purchasing.

Production

• Collaborate with design team (specifically set designer) and other production departments to establish methods for the design and execution of the scenery and/or other elements of production.
• Work independently to design technical solutions for the construction, movement, and function of scenic elements.
• Draft construction drawings and layouts for the shop floor.
• Take a leadership role in the load in and strike of all productions, managing multiple teams as they execute tasks.
• Lead specific productions under the supervision of the TD.
• Take an active role in the general safety of all AT Scene Shop operations and overseeing compliance with safety regulations.
• Attend design presentations, production meetings, tech notes sessions, run-throughs, technical and dress rehearsals, and preview performances as assigned.
• In conjunction with the AT Scene Shop Supervisor: maintain tools and equipment, manufacturing spaces, and office.
• Assist in loading and unloading scenery and trucking scenery to and from theatrical spaces.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Needed accommodations can/will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge

• Strong project management skills that demonstrate the ability to deliver complex projects on time and on budget with an eye to artistic excellence.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with a wide variety of designers, artists, technicians, and administrators with diverse backgrounds, including people with demanding artistic talents and personalities.
• Ability to manage multiple teams efficiently and capably delegate tasks based on a team member’s skills and abilities.
• Must have complete proficiency and demonstrable experience using CAD (AutoCAD) to create scenery construction drawings.
• Knowledge of advanced modern theatrical scenic construction methods including rigging, hydraulics, pneumatics, theatrical automation, engineering, and structures to use in technical designs.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of construction materials and developed skills in carpentry, welding, rigging, and sewing to draw upon for technical designs.
• Experience in budgeting and scheduling.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including the ability to create and maintain complex spreadsheets.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Ability to drive a car with a valid driver’s license.
• 70% office work at a computer.
• 30% standing, walking, bending, frequent use of hands, stooping and heavy team lifting (at least 75 pounds).
• Work at heights on ladders, the grid, and personnel lifts is common.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Experience

• Three or more years of experience in theatrical construction and management; or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
• Significant experience in theatrical building techniques, leadership, general construction, and metal work.
• Experience in rigging, working at height, truss and chain motors.
• Any experience in general mechanics, electrical wiring, hydraulics/pneumatics, and theatrical automation a plus.

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE THEATRE:

The Tony Award winning Alliance Theatre is the leading producing theater in the Southeast, reaching more than 165,000 patrons annually. Over 116 productions have premiered at the Alliance Theatre, including nine that went on to Broadway and one to Netflix. The theater also just celebrated the completion of a $34 million, state-of-the-art renovation to its main performance space, The Coca-Cola Stage.

Off the stage, the Alliance Theatre is dedicated to education and community engagement. Through performances, classes, camps, in-school initiatives, online programs, and more, the Alliance Theatre reaches over 90,000 students and community members annually.

The Alliance Theatre’s mission is to expand hearts and minds on stage and off through the power of storytelling. The mantra “Your Story. Your Stage.” represents the theater’s commitment to telling diverse stories on a stage dedicated to the Atlanta community.