Director, Technical Direction - Portable

TAIT; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

TAIT seeks a Director, Technical Direction, Portable to lead the Technical Direction group for Live and Brand projects, ensuring quality, safety, and commercial effectiveness across the project lifecycle. You will shape the Portable Market strategy, align with market leadership, and develop capabilities, staffing, and processes while advancing industry-standard practices in Technical Direction.

Direct reports include Executive and Lead Technical Directors and Managers of Technical Directors and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, technical theater, design, or a related field.
• 10+ years in technical direction or delivery, including 4+ years in people leadership.
• Proven track record delivering complex Live, Brand, touring, or portable projects at scale.
• Broad technical knowledge across automation, rigging, structures, AVL, show control, drafting, manufacturing.
• Experience establishing technical and team processes.
• Strong commercial acumen, including scope, resourcing, schedules, risk, and budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to translate market strategy and stakeholder needs into actionable plans.
• Clear and credible communicator representing Innovate with clients and teams.
• Experience leading teams across locations and supporting projects globally.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, team development, workload planning, and resourcing across Portable Technical Direction.
• Represent Innovate within Portable Market Leadership on technical solutions and priorities.
• Shape and evolve the Portable Technical Direction operating model and handoffs.
• Define and evolve the Technical Direction strategy for portable work and broader industry model.
• Refine TAIT's Technical Direction role within the Project Process and stakeholder interactions.
• Sponsor standards, processes, and training for high-quality, consistent delivery.
• Build and maintain workforce and succession plans for Technical Directors and Draftspeople.
• Set expectations for direct reports, coach leaders, and manage performance paths.
• Partner to align core processes, metrics, and shared learning across markets.

Skills

Technical leadership

Live events delivery

Cross-location teamwork

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Automation systems

Rigging

AVL

Show control

Drafting

Manufacturing processes

Job description

TAIT partners with artists, brands, IP holders and place makers to bring culture-defining, never-before-seen experiences to life. With a legacy of innovation spanning over 45 years, TAIT has grown from pioneering in rock 'n' roll concert staging to setting the global standard for extraordinary live events and experiences through cutting-edge technology, precision engineering, and creative design. TAIT's 20 global offices have developed iconic productions and experiences in over 30 countries, all seven continents, and even outer space for renowned performers, theme parks, exhibits, and venues across the globe, including partnerships with Taylor Swift, Cirque Du Soleil, Royal Opera House, Nike, NASA, Bloomberg, Google, Beyoncé, and The Olympics.

Position Purpose

The Director, Technical Direction, Portable is the market-based leader for Technical Direction across TAIT's Portable Market. The role leads Technical Directors assigned to Live and Brand projects, and is accountable through those teams for the quality, consistency, safety, and commercial effectiveness of technical delivery across the project lifecycle.

Beyond leading the Technical Director team, this role serves as Innovate's representative within the Portable Market, partnering with market leadership and cross-functional leaders to shape the strategy for technical work and translate it into clear priorities for capability, staffing, and process. This leader is key to shaping the evolution and expansion of Technical Direction at TAIT, particularly as we adopt more industry-standard expectations for technical direction.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, team development, workload planning, and resourcing of Portable Technical Direction across Live and Brand, balancing market demand with long-term capability and succession needs.
• Represent Innovate within Portable Market Leadership, advising and informing on technical solutions, capacity, and priorities to market strategy and planning.
• Shape and adapt the Portable Technical Direction operating model, including role expectations, decision rights, engagement points, and cross-functional handoffs.
• Define and evolve the Technical Direction strategy for portable work, including expanding the role of Technical Directors within Live toward a broader industry-recognized model.
• Refine and enforce Techncial Direction's role in TAIT Project Process, including interactions with Market leaders and other capabilities.
• Sponsor standards, process, and training that drive efficient, high quality, and consistent technical delivery.
• Build and maintain a workforce and succession plan for Technical Directors and Draftspeople, aligned to the Portable pipeline and evolving market needs.
• Set clear expectations for direct reports, coach and hold leaders accountable, and ensure effective performance management and development pathways throughout the organization.
• Partner with the Director, Technical Direction, Fixed to align core Technical Direction processes, standards, metrics, talent practices, and shared learning across markets and Innovate competencies while preserving market-specific needs.

Role

The Director, Technical Direction, Portable leads the Technical Direction organization serving Live and Brand and is accountable for performance, development, resourcing, and succession across the team. The role also oversees the Drafting team supporting Portable work. Direct reports include:

• Executive and Lead Technical Directors
• Managers of Technical Directors and Draftspeople

Position Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, technical theater, design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 10+ years of experience in technical direction or technical delivery, including 4+ years of demonstrated people leadership.
• Proven track record delivering complex Live, Brand, touring, or other portable entertainment projects at scale.
• Broad technical knowledge across automation, rigging, structures, AVL, show control, drafting, manufacturing, and delivery.
• Experience establishing technical and team processes.
• Strong commercial acumen, including experience shaping scope, resourcing, schedules, risk, and budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to translate market strategy and stakeholder needs into actionable plans.
• Clear and credible communicator with the ability to represent Innovate with clients, market leaders, and technical teams.
• Experience leading teams across locations and supporting projects around the globe.

TAIT is an equal opportunity employer fully committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran or any other protected characteristic as outlined by international, national, state, or local laws.