Head Electrician

ATG Entertainment USA; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The St. James Theatre seeks a Head Electrician to oversee all electrical work for theatre and facilities, collaborating with production management to meet power and lighting needs.

This union role falls under IATSE Local One contract and requires strong leadership, adaptability, and a creative approach to production challenges. Responsibilities cover advancing the electrics department, installing and operating lighting, maintaining systems, and coordinating crews for load-ins and run-outs, while

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years as production head electrician or equivalent in professional theatre.
• Strong knowledge of theatre lighting, power distribution, and rigging safety.
• Experience managing crews and coordinating with management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage electrics department for all venue productions and events.
• Install and operate lighting and sound design for theatre productions.
• Maintain and troubleshoot electrical systems and theatre lighting equipment.
• Coordinate crew load-ins, rehearsals, run crews and load-outs.
• Supervise electrics/sound crew and maintain PPE and safety standards.
• Collaborate with theatre management and other departments on cross‑departmental needs.
• Assist with payroll submissions and daily administration.

Skills

Head Electrician experience

Leadership

Power distribution

Moving light operation

Crew management

Communication

OSHA 30 Certification

Microsoft Office (Word/Excel)

Payroll input (UKG)

Tools

UKG payroll

Job description

IATSE Local One Position — The St. James Theatre

All applicable overtime per Local One IATSE and Broadway League contract.

Benefits: per Local One IATSE and Broadway League contract.

Position Summary

The Head Electrician oversees all theatre and facilities-related electrical work at The St. James Theatre, maintaining the theatre's electrical systems and lighting equipment while partnering with production management and each production's creative team to execute their power and electrical needs. This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between ATG-Entertainment and IATSE Local One. The Head Electrician brings strong leadership and technical skill, works well under short time constraints, and pivots easily between tasks; theater, music, and event production experience and an open, creative approach to the production process are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Advance, run, and maintain the electrics department for all productions and events at the venue
• Perform and/or supervise all responsibilities of the lighting/electrics process, including installation and operation of lighting and sound design for theatrical productions
• Maintain and troubleshoot the theatre's electrical systems and theatrical lighting equipment on an ongoing basis
• Manage electrical wiring, soldering, and high-amperage service work
• Maintain extensive working knowledge of moving light technology, LED theatrical fixtures, and conventional theatrical lighting fixtures
• Participate in crew staffing decisions in consultation with Theatre Management
• Lead on coordinating sufficient crew numbers for load-ins, technical rehearsals, run crews, and load-outs; crew size varies with production or event needs
• Supervise and set expectations for the electrics/sound crew; maintain a call list of electricians and stagehands
• Coordinate with Theatre Management, Facilities, and other department heads (Head Carpenter, Head of Properties) on cross-departmental needs
• Represent The St. James to designers, visiting crews, and production management staff by fostering a cordial, cooperative, and welcoming atmosphere; model and support the mission and values of ATG Entertainment
• Submit payroll on a daily or weekly basis to Theatre Management
• Ensure compliance with OSHA safety practices and venue safety protocols throughout all electrical work; maintain a safe working environment and alert management to any personnel, technical, or safety issues, working within ATG's safety standards and policies

Secondary Responsibilities

• Recommend and evaluate practices, policies, and equipment; make recommendations regarding equipment usage and purchases
• Maintain tools, equipment, electrics hardware, and expendables
• Be available after-hours for phone calls, texts, or emails from management
• Work collaboratively with a team and with a variety of personalities

Qualifications & Essential Skills

• Minimum 5 years' experience as a production electrician; experience at a comparable venue level preferred
• Strong technical knowledge and experience in theater lighting, including power distribution, power tie-ins, conventional and moving light operation and maintenance, and safe rigging practices
• Strong knowledge of OSHA safety standards
• Demonstrated experience managing crews and setting a professional standard in the workplace
• Excellent communication skills; professional discretion and confidentiality
• Strong attention to detail, flexibility, and resourcefulness
• Comfort with Microsoft Office Word and Excel; proficiency communicating via email and phone; potential to learn the UKG payroll platform to input payroll each week

Minimum Requirements

• As a condition of employment, must be or become a member of IATSE Local No. 1
• As a condition of employment, must have or earn an OSHA 30 Certification
• Five or more years of experience as Head Electrician or Assistant Head in a professional theater production or professional theatrical venue
• Ability to lift 25-50 pounds or more occasionally
• Physical ability to remain on one's feet (standing, walking) for long days (up to 16 hours), multiple days in a row
• Ability to work a variable schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the performance calendar

ATG-Entertainment: Passion Behind Performance

Our expertise and capabilities enable producers and other creatives to bring their visions to life and create unforgettable performances for audiences, presented in our landmark venues and delivered with exceptional hospitality. ATG-Entertainment is a world leader in live entertainment. Our portfolio of venues includes historic theatres, modern live music arenas, studio theatres, cinemas and conference spaces. ATG-Entertainment own, operate or program 73 of the world's most iconic venues across the UK, the US and Continental Europe entertaining over 18 million audience members each year.

Through our in-house Production companies and working closely with third-party top producers and promoters ATG presents over 15,000 live performances annually, including Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Moulin Rouge, The Lion King, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Starlight Express as well as popular music and comedy shows.

ATG also operates a leading ticketing platform processing more than 18 million tickets each year for musical plays, concerts, comedy shows and a variety of other live events. ATGtickets.com attracts more than 55 million unique visitors annually. Headquartered in London and Woking, the company also has offices in New York and Cologne.

It is the passion of our teams, that cover every discipline across the live entertainment industry, that underpins our continuing strategic growth and success. Learn more about ATG-Entertainment, visit www.atgentertainment.com/