Technical Director

Arts Admin Jobs; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Atlanta Ballet is seeking a Technical Director to lead the Production Department's technical elements, ensuring artistic integrity, safety, and efficiency across all productions and events. The role combines management and hands-on work, directing rigging, stage operations, and studio support while coordinating with designers, venue staff, and IATSE crews to deliver high-quality performances.

Hrs include evenings and weekends during production cycles; candidate must lift 75 lbs, oversee budgets,

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in technical direction for dance or related field and large-scale productions.
• Proficient in CAD drafting (AutoCAD or Vectorworks) and skilled in scenic engineering and construction.
• Demonstrated experience with stage rigging, automation, carpentry, welding, and general theatrical production techniques.
• Excellent project management, problem-solving, and budgeting skills.
• Clear and confident communicator with strong interpersonal and organizational abilities.
• Familiarity with IATSE agreements and practices preferred.

Responsibilities

• Hire IATSE crew members in collaboration with the Director of Production, ensuring staffing aligns with production needs, safety requirements, and union guidelines.
• Oversee the build, installation, maintenance, and strike of scenic elements and supervise backstage operations.
• Provide technical direction to realize production safety, efficiency, and budgeting goals.
• Assist with annual and project-based budgeting and trackExpenses; coordinate vendor bidding and communication.
• Oversee shop and warehouse safety, inventory, and equipment maintenance.
• Create and maintain technical documentation including scenic drawings, rigging drawings, cue sheets, and labor schedules.
• Coordinate with studios, facilities, and outside vendors for rehearsals, auditions, events, and productions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Team management

Hands-on technical work

Problem-solving

Safety compliance

Tools

AutoCAD

Vectorworks

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Technical Director is a key management position within Atlanta Ballet’s Production Department, responsible for overseeing the technical elements of productions and ensuring the highest standards of artistic integrity, safety, and efficiency.

As the organization’s primary full-time technical staff member, the Technical Director serves in both a management and hands‑on capacity.

Responsibilities extend beyond theatrical productions to include technical support for Atlanta Ballet’s rehearsal studios, facilities, auditions, and special events.

The Technical Director works closely with designers, production personnel, venue staff, and IATSE crews to ensure the successful execution of productions. The position requires strong technical expertise, initiative, problem‑solving, and the ability to balance long‑term production planning with day‑to‑day operations needs.

The Technical Director reports directly to the Director of Production and is expected to maintain clear, consistent, and proactive communication regarding project progress, scheduling, technical concerns, and prioritization.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Communication

• In collaboration with the Director of Production, hire IATSE crew members, ensuring staffing aligns with production needs, safety requirements, and union guidelines.
• Maintain clear and open channel of communication with the Director of Production, designers, and department heads.
• Maintain an active onsite presence during production load‑ins, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, performances, and load‑outs.
• Be present and actively manage all crew calls, supervising the load‑in, changeovers, tech, and load‑out processes.

Personnel Management

• Ensure all work aligns with IATSE collective bargaining agreements.
• Maintain proactive, collaborative communication with union leadership.
• Supervise the day‑to‑day work of technical crew during work calls, maintaining a safe, respectful, and efficient backstage environment.
• Promote a workplace culture grounded in professionalism, accountability, and cooperation, modeling leadership that emphasizes clear expectations and open communication.

Technical Oversight

• Provide technical direction in collaboration with designers and the Director of Production to realize production safety, efficiently, and within budget.
• Approve technical drawings, scenic plans, rigging, and line schedules.
• Oversee the build, installation, maintenance, and strike of scenic elements.
• Provide engineering and construction solution for scenic, automation, rigging, and structural designs.
• Lead technical planning for rentals, new productions, and remounts.

Budget & Project Management

• Assist the Director of Production with annual and project‑based budgeting.
• Manage scenic and technical budgets with transparency and fiscal responsibility.
• Track expenses, identify cost‑saving opportunities, and flag potential overages early.
• Coordinate and supervise outsourced builds and special projects, including vendor bidding and communication.

Shop & Warehouse Oversight

• Serves as scenic shop and warehouse foreman, overseeing safety, workflow, and maintenance.
• Maintain inventory of scenery, props, soft goods, and tools, including flame retardancy records.
• Lead and document shop safety procedures and ensure compliance with all safety protocols.
• Oversee technical logistics for production transportation, including truck packing, equipment movement, loading plans, shipping, receiving, and coordination without side vendors and rental partners.

Documentation & Scheduling

• Work closely with the Production Stage Manager to ensure accurate information is shared across departments.
• Create and maintain technical documentation including but not limited to:
• Scenic and rigging drawings
• Cue sheets (in collaboration with Stage Management)
• Labor calls and crew schedules, in collaboration with Director of Production
• Production Schedule in collaboration with Stage Management

Studio, Facility & General Technical Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for routine technical needs within Atlanta Ballet’s rehearsal studios, production spaces, and facilities.
• Independently troubleshoot and resolve routine technical and equipment issues, including audio systems, studio flooring, and other production‑related equipment.
• Perform minor repairs, maintenance, and adjustments to studio equipment and infrastructure, including dance flooring, ballet barres, and related fixtures, within the scope of the position’s qualifications.
• Provide hands‑on setup and breakdown support for auditions, rehearsals, meetings, special events, and other organizational activities.
• Assess and prioritize technical and facility‑related requests in coordination with the Director of Production, communicating anticipated timelines and any need for outside assistance.
• Coordinate with facility personnel and outside vendors as needed.

Work Environment & Expectations

• This position requires a combination of office‑based planning, hands‑on technical work, and on‑site production supervision. The Technical Director must be comfortable working independently, responding to changing priorities, and performing practical technical tasks as needed. Evening and weekend availability is required during production periods, with work schedules coordinated through the Director of Production.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in technical direction for dance or related field and large‑scale productions.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team.
• Proficient in CAD drafting (AutoCAD or Vectorworks) and skilled in scenic engineering and construction.
• Demonstrated experience with stage rigging, automation, carpentry, welding, and general theatrical production techniques.
• Excellent project management, problem‑solving, and budgeting skills.
• Clear and confident communicator with strong interpersonal and organizational abilities.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to perform hands‑on technical work, routine equipment troubleshooting, minor repairs, and event setups independently, while balancing supervisory, administrative, and production responsibilities.
• Familiarity with IATSE agreements and practices preferred.
• Ability to lift 75 lbs., work at heights, and maintain a flexible schedule including nights and weekends.

WORK SCHEDULE:

• Atlanta Ballet has six annual productions and a students’ Spring Concert. Frequent evening and weekend work during production periods. Must be present at all theater rehearsals, technical rehearsals