Senior Technical Director (CT)

Disney Experiences; Kissimmee (FL); On-site; USD 67,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Disney Imagineering Live, LLC is seeking a Senior Technical Director for Disney Live Entertainment at the Walt Disney World Resort to lead technical production for live entertainment shows, parades, stage shows and special events across Worldwide Disney Parks. You will collaborate with designers, directors and producers to bring magical worlds to life.

Responsibilities include ensuring design compliance, conducting hazard analyses, guiding show life cycle, budgeting, vendor reviews, and field

Qualifications

• 7+ years in Technical Theater or Live Show environment.
• Experience with show systems: audio, lighting, video, rigging and effects.
• Experience in facility design, engineering, and construction.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate with designers, directors, producers and writers.
• Self-motivated with minimal direction and strong problem solving.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and technical elements for DLE productions through the creative process with diverse partners.
• Ensure all design & technical elements comply with company standards and regulations.
• Support hazard analysis and mitigation with local teams and authorities.
• Contribute to Show Life Cycle from concept to sustainment, defining risks and mitigations.
• Compile budgets and assess staffing needs for the project scope.
• Participate in vendor qualification and scope reviews.
• Provide field support during install, testing, programming, rehearsal, and opening.
• Produce safety plans and review as-built documentation packages.

Skills

Technical theater

Live show production

Show systems integration

Collaboration & leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

Budget awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in theater/engineering/production

Job description

About the Role & Team

Through innovative storytelling and a culture of collaboration, Disney Live Entertainment creates, produces, and delivers remarkable and engaging entertainment experiences! From the intimate to the spectacular, our work can be seen at Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships, and other locations the world over. This team with varied strengths – representing a wide variety of subject areas and talents from technical directors, writers, and lighting designers to choreographers, cosmetologists, and music producers – brings magical worlds to life through technical expertise, performance excellence, outstanding resourcefulness, unparalleled spectacle… and a dash of pixie dust!

Job Requirements

About the Role & Team

Through innovative storytelling and a culture of collaboration, Disney Live Entertainment creates, produces, and delivers remarkable and engaging entertainment experiences! From the intimate to the spectacular, our work can be seen at Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships, and other locations the world over. This team with varied strengths – representing a wide variety of subject areas and talents from technical directors, writers, and lighting designers to choreographers, cosmetologists, and music producers – brings magical worlds to life through technical expertise, performance excellence, outstanding resourcefulness, unparalleled spectacle… and a dash of pixie dust!

The Senior Technical Director with Disney Live Entertainment at the Walt Disney World Resort leads technical production efforts related to the development and sustainment of live entertainment shows and product offerings, including parades, stage shows, and special events for Worldwide Disney Parks and Resorts locations.

What You Will Do

• Collaborate in the creation of design and technical elements for all DLE Productions through the effective execution of the creative process, in collaboration with Designers, Directors, Writers, Producers, and Production and Operators partners
• Lead Design Assurance efforts to ensure all design & technical elements for DLE productions comply with company Standards, Government regulations, and applicable local and national authorities having jurisdiction.
• Provide support for Hazard Analysis and Issue Mitigation of all design & technical elements by partnering with local teams and government authorities responsible for legal code compliance, including Safety, Global Engineering & Technology, Quality Engineering, Standards & Sustainment, and the Authority Having Jurisdiction
• Contribute to the Show Life Cycle during the concept, creative, feasibility, development, production (fabrication), delivery, and sustainment phases - Helping define compliance, mitigations, and reliability for safe, on-going operations
• Compile and report on budgets for your project scope; understand staffing needs against project support
• Participate in Scope of Work review, vendor qualification process, and identification of construction methodologies
• Participate in Creative Reviews, Design Reviews, Work Sessions, and Production Meetings
• Provide field support through install, acceptance procedures, test & adjust, programming, training, rehearsal, and opening
• Documentation support through review sessions, testing documentation, safety plans, and as built documentation packages
• Full discipline understanding, taking on project delivery and participating in blue sky when asked
• Companywide standards contribution and research
• Creative element discovery including research in advancement of materials, equipment, and methodology
• Identify risk and communicate risk mitigation and solutions in a clear, timely manner
• Participate in industry forums and be aware of industry technology trends, pushing the boundaries of technical innovation

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 7+ years of experience working in a Technical Theater or Live Show Entertainment environment
• Proven knowledge and understanding of the operation and artistic application of a variety of show systems and technology, including audio, special effects, puppets, lighting, show control systems, video, facilities, and rigging
• Proven experience with facility design, engineering, and construction
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to express creative ideas
• Proven track record of supporting the creative process by collaborating with other designers, directors, producers, and writers
• Highly motivated requiring minimal direction and follow-up
• Strong computer, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated leadership, partnership, and strategic planning skills
• Natural collaborative ability to make sense out of diverse multidisciplinary requirements and to bring the project goals into focus for everyone involved
• Ability to research and present technical design options so that the team can make informed decisions that ultimately give the project greater depth
• Ability to establish and maintain consistency, quality, accuracy, and professionalism of design packages and associated technical design documents published by Disney Live Entertainment
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and meet deadlines
• Ability to be flexible with work schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and some international travel for extended periods

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Strong understanding of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, Epcot Building Codes and all other applicable local Authorities Having Jurisdiction and regulatory agencies
• Experience in live show development with The Walt Disney Company
• Working knowledge and understanding of the Walt Disney culture
• Knowledge and proficiency in some or all of the following engineering disciplines: structural, mechanical, electrical, software, safety
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed, and for extended periods of time (bi-lingual English/French and/or English/Mandarin is a plus)

Education

• College degree or equivalent professional experience with focus in theatrical design, technical production, and/or project management

Additional Information

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

Disclaimer

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The hiring range for this position in Florida is $67,020.00-$89,820.00 per year based on a 24 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

This position is with Disney Imagineering Live, LLC, which is part of a business we call Disney Live Entertainment.

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Disney Imagineering Live, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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