Lighting Supervisor

Berklee College of Music; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Berklee College of Music's Boston Conservatory at Berklee seeks a collaborative Lighting Supervisor to lead all lighting and electrical needs for Mainstage productions. This roll oversees hangs, focuses, strikes, and show calls while mentoring student crews and staff.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Production, you will work with guest designers and faculty to realize artistic visions on schedule and within budget, ensuring safety and compliance across venues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in lighting design (or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience as a master electrician or lighting designer in theater, dance, or opera.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience and mentorship with student staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and execute all lighting operations across BCB spaces, serving as Master Electrician for Mainstage productions.
• Supervise, mentor, and train the staff Production Electrician, casual staff, and student crews in safety, programming, and operations.
• Collaborate with guest designers, directors, and faculty to realize artistic visions on schedule and within budget.
• Manage equipment inventory, maintenance, purchasing, and capital planning for lighting systems.
• Ensure workplace safety across spaces, following EPA, USITT, OSHA, and local codes.
• Serve as Manager on Duty during performances and load-ins.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in lighting design

Tools

Vectorworks

Lightwright

Eos (ETC ION)

Stage rigging

Electronics

Job description

Job Description: About the Role Boston Conservatory at Berklee (BCB) seeks a collaborative, mission-driven Lighting Supervisor to join the Performance Services team. Supporting over 800 events annually across dance, theater, and music, Performance Services brings technical precision and production knowledge to the student experience. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Production, the Lighting Supervisor oversees all lighting and electrical needs for Conservatory productions, with a primary focus on Mainstage performances. This year-round, full-time role leads the execution of hangs, focuses, strikes, and show calls while directly guiding student learning. By aligning artistic vision with practical production execution, the Lighting Supervisor helps create an innovative, creative, and student-centered environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and execute all lighting operations across BCB performance spaces, serving as Master Electrician for Mainstage productions.
• Supervise, mentor, and train the staff Production Electrician, casual staff, and student crews in safety, programming, and operations.
• Collaborate closely with guest designers, directors, deans, and faculty to implement artistic visions on schedule and within budget.
• Manage equipment inventory, maintenance, purchasing, and capital planning for lighting systems.
• Ensure workplace safety across all spaces, following EPA, USITT, OSHA, and local fire codes.
• Serve as Manager on Duty on a rotational basis during performances and load-ins.

Requirements

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in lighting design (or equivalent training) and at least 5 years of professional experience as a master electrician or lighting designer in theater, dance, or opera.
• Leadership: 2+ years of supervisory experience, with strong mentorship skills to guide student staff.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Vectorworks, Lightwright, Eos technology (ETC ION), stage rigging, and electronics.
• Special Conditions: Ability to lift up to 40 lbs, work on ladders/catwalks up to 24 feet and work significant nights and weekends during the academic year.
• Preferred: Higher education experience, advanced rigging skills, projection systems familiarity, or a Master’s degree.

Life at Berklee

At Berklee, creativity and community come first. Staff enjoy a mission-driven environment that balances rigorous artistic standards with work-life balance, continuous learning, and inclusive collaboration. Berklee offers comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness initiatives, and vibrant cultural programming on campus.

Hiring Range: $50,000 to $66,000; salary dependent on relevant experience and education.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee: We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at [e-mail] or call 617-747-2375.

*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*

Employee Type: Staff

As the premier destination for the study of contemporary music and the performing arts, Berklee stands as the culmination of two pioneering institutions—Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music—each recognized for its global reach and cultural impact. Berklee is a place where artists come together to innovate, and where artistic and cultural diversity is embraced and celebrated. We strive to reflect these values in our inclusive hiring practices, creating a welcoming and equitable process that embraces diverse perspectives and fosters equity and opportunity for all. Guided by our fundamental values, our unified mission and vision define Berklee’s core purpose and help us envision the positive influence we can have on each other, our students, our communities, and the broader world. Berklee is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits program to help our employees achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals. Learn more.