Entertainment Technical Director

Celebrity Cruises; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Celebrity Cruises is seeking an Entertainment Technical Director (ETDC) to lead the maintenance and safe operation of all entertainment technologies aboard the ship. You will manage Entertainment Operators, schedule maintenance, and liaise with Cruise Director and Venue Production Managers to ensure high-quality performances.

The role requires expertise in lighting, sound, rigging, stage automation, and strong leadership to train staff and uphold safety standards across all venues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in entertainment/theatre production.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office and related software.

Responsibilities

• Create clear maintenance and inspection schedules for Entertainment Operators and Staff.
• Prepare technical reports (EOV & Deficiency Reports) for equipment and staff.
• Coordinate maintenance calls with Cruise Director and venue managers.
• Supervise Entertainment Operators and Staff performance and conduct appraisals.
• Ensure safe operation of stage automation and performer flying systems.
• Maintain equipment inventories and safety inspections across venues.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

MS Office

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in entertainment or theatrical management

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

The Entertainment Technical Director (ETDC) is responsible for the overall maintenance, upkeep, safe operation, and training of the ship’s technical equipment. This includes all sound, lighting, performer flying, and stage automation systems.

The ETDC will be responsible for directly managing the Entertainment Operators & Staff, the overall maintenance and inventory of all entertainment venues, and safety inspections and quality control. The ETDC will create an environment that facilitates the needs of the Cruise Director and that inspires and supports the Entertainment Operators & Staff.

Note:

Employees may be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor or management. All duties and responsibilities are to be performed in accordance with the Company's Safety, Quality and Environmental standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Create clear and concise maintenance and inspection schedules for Entertainment Operators and Staff in conjunction with the Stage & Production Manager and Venue Production Managers.

• Create clear and concise schedules for the Entertainment Staff & Operators. Schedules are to be communicated and distributed to team members in a timely fashion.
• Creates technical reports (EOV & Deficiency Reports) on all technical equipment and technical staff each voyage.
• Liaise with Cruise Director, Stage & Production Manager, and Venue Production Manager to schedule and coordinate all maintenance calls for the ship’s lighting, sound, performer flying and stage automation systems.
• Attend and support Key A’ Driver events throughout the ship as needed by the Cruise Director, Stage & Production Manager or Venue Production Manager.
• Responsible for the supervision and performance management of the Entertainment Operators and Entertainment Staff. Will converse with the Venue Production Managers and Stage & Production Manager to input performance appraisal and disciplinary actions for Operators & Staff.
• Responsible for receiving and communicating important information from shipboard leadership and policies to the Entertainment Staff by holding regular staff meetings and other means of clear communication.
• Responsible for operating the stage automation system and performer flying system in the Celebrity Theatre for rehearsals and performances. Responsible for training and rehearsing the Stage & Production Manager on being the secondary automation/rigging operator.
• Responsible for the upkeep, repair, maintenance, and inspections for all entertainment technical equipment.
• Responsible for ensuring the Entertainment Operators are correctly using and operating technical equipment during rehearsals and performances. Will ensure all Operators are scheduled to cross train with other operators to learn all shows during rehearsal times in the main theatre so there are backups for each position should the need arise.
• Communicate clearly with head office any issues, problems, concerns that may arise in daily operations.
• Ensures music and lighting in all venues is aesthetically pleasing and appropriate by carrying out regular ship wide walks in addition to the AV on duty alongside the Venue Production Manager and Stage & Production Manager.
• Oversees with Entertainment Operator Fly the safe use of aerial and automation systems in the Celebrity Theatre and the alternative entertainment venues ensuring only produced/approved material and equipment is utilized.
• Supervise stage resets alongside the Cast and AV team to ensure scenery, props and equipment are set up/struck at appropriate times in the Celebrity Theatre and entertainment venues.
• Liaise with ship-wide department managers and supervisors to fulfill tech requests through the tech request process.
• Liaise with the Cruise Director, Stage & Production Manager, Venue Production Managers, Broadcast Manager, and other department heads on a regular basis.
• Jointly responsible (with the Stage & Production Manager) for all entertainment technical facilities including backstage, dressing rooms, quick changes, AV lockers and stores, wardrobe facilities, etc. Will ensure all areas are kept clean and tidy by Cast and AV members, that all shipboard Safety and SQM policies are met, and report maintenance issues through IssueTrax as needed.
• Work closely with the Entertainment Operators to ensure all Celebrity Theatre equipment is maintained and inspected accordingly (Deficiency Report to be submitted to head office as required). Assign maintenance and upkeep tasks to Entertainment Operators and Staff on a regular basis - create IssueTrax's as reqired and assign maintenance and upkeep tasks to Entertainment Operators and Staff as necessary.
• Work closely and communicate with the Venue Production Manager and Entertainment Operators to ensure all alternative entertainment venue equipment is in good working order – create IssueTrax's as reqired and assign maintenance and upkeep tasks to Entertainment Operators and Staff as necessary.
• Administrative tasks which should include (but is not limited to):
  • Creating daily schedules for the Entertainment Operators and Staff.
  • Creating and updating equipment reports (EOV’s and Deficiency Report).
  • Update and monitor effective time keeping (Kronos) for Entertainment Operators and Staff.
  • Create and input disciplinary actions and appraisals for the Entertainment Operators and Staff.
  • Process and schedule technical requests.
  • Create Fleet Visitor requests for technical vendors, crew visitors, and others as required.
  • Work closely and communicate with the Venue Production Manager and Stage & Production Manager to ensure the Audio Visual and Entertainment team have the required resources to complete their jobs – create Crunch Time orders as required.
  • Updating OCIMS with safety observations as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree in entertainment or theatrical management (stage, technical or production) from an accredited university or equivalent experience is required.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in entertainment technical management.
• Experience with multi-unit management in entertainment back of house.
• Advanced operation, maintenance and technical knowledge of varied lighting, sound, rigging, and automation systems required.
• Experience with stage automation and entertainment rigging. Basic knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering, components, and system design.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work positively and cooperatively in a diverse team environment to meet overall established timeframes.
• Ability to communicate tactfully with department heads, coworkers, and other shipboard employees to resolve problems and negotiate resolutions.
• Able to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• High level of ability to successfully accomplish several tasks under pressure and fixed time constraints.
• Working knowledge of computers, Internet access, and the ability to navigate within a variety of software packages such as Excel, Word, or related programs.
• Previous cruise line experience a plus.

Language Requirements

Ability to speak English clearly, distinctly and cordially with guests and crew members.

Ability to read and write English in order to understand and interpret written procedures. This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms and to effectively present information and respond to questions from guests, supervisors and co-workers.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the shipboard employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must continually lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and may work at heights up to 50 feet. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

All shipboard employees must be physically able to participate in emergency lifesaving procedures and drills. Full use and range of arms and legs as well as full visual, verbal and hearing abilities are required to receive and give instructions in the event of an emergency including the lowering of lifeboats.