Associate Technical Director

The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The UCLA Department of Theater seeks a skilled Scene Shop Supervisor to manage the Scene Shop and coordinate with other production units, ensuring smooth transitions from planning to load-in and strike for all departmental productions. You will organize shop personnel, oversee scheduling, safety, and inventory while collaborating with faculty and the Technical Director on timelines and quality standards.

You may assist with occasional facilities maintenance and must be able to work flexible

Qualifications

• Plan, organize and supervise theatrical productions in an educational/professional setting.
• Knowledge of tools, equipment and safety practices for technical theater production.
• Manage equipment, space, staff and budget resources.
• Complete tasks independently and under time constraints.
• Collaborate with students, faculty, staff and guest artists effectively.
• Explain facilities, equipment and operations to individuals and groups.
• Demonstrate knowledge of scene shop supervision and safety, including structural integrity.
• Prioritize staff duties to meet deadlines.
• Willingness to work flexible hours (nights/weekends/holidays).
• Read and interpret construction drawings and specs for scenery and props.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD; basic Vectorworks knowledge.
• Work at heights and operate power tools safely.
• Knowledge of safety precautions with power tools and industrial equipment.
• Familiarity with automation, innovative tech and theatrical engineering.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Scene Shop operations for production transitions from planning to load-in and strike.
• Organize scene shop personnel, scheduling, workflow and timelines.
• Supervise scene shop use, security, and maintenance.
• Manage construction spaces, inventory, and related spaces and tools.
• Collaborate with design faculty, Technical Director and department leadership.
• Ensure timely completion of tasks with quality standards.
• Maintain safety standards and compliance across shop activities.

Skills

Staff management

Scheduling

Safety compliance

Communication

Reading drawings

Scenic construction

Engineering knowledge

Budgeting

Team leadership

Problem solving

Coordination

Quality control

Time management

Interdepartmental collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Tools

AutoCAD

Vectorworks

Job description

Department Summary

The UCLA Department of Theater is a vibrant community where diverse voices and disciplines converge to shape the theater and live experiences of tomorrow. Here, academic rigor fuels creativity, and performers, designers, directors, playwrights and scholars are supported by world-class faculty who champion collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation. The department’s training engages with our complex, changing world and integrates the unique opportunities available at the nation’s top public university. We cultivate artists and thinkers who go on to excel across theater, film and television, themed entertainment, and many other fields.

Position Summary

Manage, coordinate and oversee the Department of Theater Scene Shop and its interaction with the other production units for a seamless transition from set planning to set building and load in and strike as well as set disposal for all departmental productions. Organize scene shop personnel, oversee employee scheduling, workflow, work quality and set timeline for the construction projects. Organize and supervise scene shop use, security and maintenance. Manage construction spaces, storage areas, and related spaces, scene shop inventory of supplies, materials, tools and hardware. Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor, including occasional minor facility maintenance or improvements. The incumbent is supervised by the Technical Director and Chair. The incumbent prioritizes and completes tasks within assigned goals and objectives and often in collaboration with the design faculty, Director of Production, Technical Director, shop supervisors and others in academic and administrative leadership. Periodic in-progress checks of work are made. Work is subject to review by supervisors.

Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• Ability to plan, integrate, organize, schedule, budget and supervise the preparation and presentation of theatrical productions in an educational and professional environment. (Required)
• Possess expert knowledge and familiarity with the tools, equipment and systems associated with technical theater production; including scenery technology and theatrical stage rigging practices. (Required)
• Skill in management of equipment, space, material, staff and financial resources. (Required)
• Ability to complete tasks independently and in a timely manner and to perform tasks of equal priority efficiently under time constraints. (Required)
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, faculty, staff and guest artists. (Required)
• Ability to speak on a one-to-one basis and to groups, using appropriate vocabulary and grammar to explain and demonstrate facilities, equipment and operations. (Required)
• Possess demonstrated working knowledge of the responsibilities and duties of professional scene shop supervisor including the knowledge to engineer scenic elements and assure structural integrity and safety. (Required)
• Demonstrate pride, professionalism and commitment to excellence. Skill in prioritizing staff job responsibilities in order of relative importance to complete work in a timely manner. (Required)
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours as required by the production schedule, including nights, weekends and holidays. (Required)
• Ability to read and execute drawings; skill in interpreting drawings and specifications pertaining to the construction of theatrical scenery and props. (Required)
• AutoCAD proficiency. Basic Knowledge of Vectorworks. (Required)
• Ability to work at heights using ladders and personnel lifts. (Required)
• Must have the vision, hearing and dexterity to safely operate in a construction environment, operate hand and power tools, stage rigging and machinery. (Required)
• Working knowledge of safety precautions necessary when working with power tools. (Required)
• Knowledge in automation, innovative technology, and theatrical engineering (Required)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. (Required)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Schedule

8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Union/Policy Covered

TX-Systemwide Technical