Director, Technical Entertainment - Operations and Compliance

Universal Studios; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Orlando Resort seeks an experienced Technical Entertainment leader to oversee strategic and operational execution for live entertainment, parades and marquee events. You will ensure compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements and engineering reviews while guiding cross-functional teams.

The role focuses on maintaining technical standards, asset planning, and reliability across show systems, rigging and special effects, with collaboration across Entertainment, Operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in entertainment field or related area.
• 7+ years in technical management with high-risk entertainment exposure (rigging, SPFX, pyrotechnics, drones).
• Experience leading large cross-functional teams and managing budgets.
• Strong written and oral communication; safety and regulatory compliance knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains technical standards, procedures & operational requirements for entertainment systems including high-risk activities such as pyrotechnics, rigging, lasers and drones.
• Leads Technical Entertainment operations across the resort to ensure reliable, high-quality experiences.
• Oversees maintenance programs, asset planning and lifecycle management for show systems and staging.
• Directs scope development, budgeting, scheduling, vendor selection, design reviews and readiness for marquee events.

Skills

Technical leadership

Regulatory compliance

Hazard analysis

Budgeting

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in entertainment field

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:

Provides strategic and operational leadership for Technical Entertainment across Universal Orlando Resort, overseeing technical execution, maintenance and reliability of live entertainment, parades, shows and marquee events. Establishes and maintains technical standards, operational procedures, and compliance requirements for entertainment systems and high-risk technical activities, including engineering reviews, hazard analysis, documentation and regulatory requirements. Leads cross-functional collaboration to support new projects, marquee offerings, operational readiness and continued evolution of the resort’s technical entertainment offerings.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establishes and maintains technical standards, procedures & operational requirements, including high-risk technical activities such as pyrotechnics, fireworks, special effects, rigging, lasers and drones. Ensures compliance with applicable regulatory requirements AHJ, engineering standards, internal policies, hazard analysis & required technical reviews in partnership with Engineering and EHS.
• Provides leadership & oversight of Technical Entertainment operations supporting daily venue entertainment, nighttime spectaculars, and seasonal marquee events across Universal Orlando Resort. Ensures Technical teams, systems, equipment and operational resources are prepared to deliver reliable, high quality entertainment experiences.
• Provides strategic oversight of technical entertainment maintenance, preventive maintenance programs, equipment reliability, obsolescence planning and mitigation strategies. Ensure show systems, staging and rigging structures are maintained to established operational and technical standards while supporting long-term asset planning.
• Leads the technical aspects of scope development, budgeting, scheduling, vendor selection, design reviews, installation & operational readiness of Marquee, Event, Parades and Nighttime Spectaculars as it pertains to the disciplines under this position.
• Directs and develops Technical Entertainment leadership teams while partnering with Entertainment, Operations, Engineering, Safety and other Resort Stakeholders to establish technical requirements and successfully execute daily operations, marquee programming and event support. Ensures that teams are properly trained, resourced and aligned to deliver safe, reliable and operationally effective entertainment experiences.
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree is required (entertainment field preferred).

EXPERIENCE:

• 7+ years’ experience in a Technical Management position with a strong background in Entertainment High Risk field - Rigging, SPFX, Pyrotechnics, Fireworks, Drones.
• Prior demonstrated experience in an executive level capacity leading a large team.
• Ability to assess and solve complex issues independently.
• Hazard Analysis and Technical Compliance documentation creation, Budgeting, permitting, SOP & Scope writing, Type 1 engineering needs.
• Working experience and knowledge of ATF fireworks requirements, NFPA 160, 1123, 1124 & 1126 as it applies to pyrotechnics, flame systems and fireworks.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Leading and motivating teams.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

Universal Orlando Resort. Here you can.

Universal Orlando is an equal opportunity employer. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2026 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. EOE