Technical Director -

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 39,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waivers

Wellness programs

Fitness center discount

Vaccinations on campus

Pretax flexible spending accounts

Paid holidays

Paid community service leave

Education and training

Job summary

The Technical Director at Western Carolina University oversees scenic construction for theatre and film productions, coordinating with faculty, staff, and students to deliver educational and production outcomes.

Based on-site in Cullowhee, NC, the role emphasizes safety, efficient workflows, and hands-on shop leadership, with opportunities to mentor student crews and develop innovative production practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in theatre arts and required competencies as described.
• Accredited institution degrees only.
• Ability to operate university vehicles and transport materials.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day scene shop operations and student crews.
• Plan and support scenic construction for theatre and film productions.
• Maintain safe working practices and production workflows.
• Collaborate with faculty and production staff across departments.

Skills

Scenic construction

Technical drawings

Shop practices

Safety & rigging

Production technology

Physical production work

Training & supervision

Communication

Vehicle operation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in theatre arts

Job description

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including:

2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.

2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.

2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.

2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being subject to the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act ( SHRA ). Anticipated begin date is July 1, 2027.

The Technical Director serves the School of Stage and Screen and supports the planning, budgeting, coordination, and execution of scenic construction for theatre and film productions. The position works collaboratively with faculty technical theatre specialists, production staff, and student crews to support the School’s educational and production mission.

This position provides day-to-day coordination of scene shop operations, student employees, scenic construction, and related production activities. The Technical Director collaborates with faculty responsible for other production areas, including film production, and assists with the upkeep and organization of theatre and production spaces. The position also supports safe working practices, provides student guidance, and helps develop efficient production workflows.

This position requires the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work includes hands-on scenic construction, installation, strike, tool and equipment use, loading, unloading, and movement of scenic materials and production supplies in shop, stage, theatre, loading, and related production environments.

The School values creative problem solving, collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to learn and apply new production technologies and methods in support of student learning and production quality.

The School of Stage and Screen at Western Carolina University serves approximately 180 students across five degree tracks and a dance minor. The School offers a BFA in Theatre with concentrations in Musical Theatre, Acting for Stage and Screen, and Entertainment Design and Technology; a BA in Stage and Screen; and a BFA in Film and Television Production. Its experiential curriculum emphasizes storytelling across all degree tracks and includes opportunities to support musicians, plays, a web series, and an annual film festival featuring student-produced films.

Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

• Scenic construction, technical drawings, and shop practices: Knowledge of construction methods, materials, theatrical production practices, shop operations, and technical documentation, with the ability to build scenery accurately from drawings and construction documents.
• Safety, rigging, equipment, and production technology: Knowledge of theatrical rigging, shop safety practices, safe equipment operation, and emerging production technologies.
• Physical production work and safe material handling: Ability to perform physically active production work, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, kneeling, crouching, grasping, and maneuvering scenic materials, tools, equipment, and supplies in shop, stage, theatre, and related production environments while following established safety practices.
• Training, communication, and work coordination: Ability to train and guide student employees and production crews; communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students; organize assigned work; balance competing production needs; and support efficient production workflows.
• Resourcefulness, problem solving, and materials logistics: Ability to identify practical solutions to production challenges; obtain materials, equipment, and supplies through vendors and salvage resources; maintain a valid driver’s license; and operate university vehicles, including a 14-foot box truck, to transport materials throughout the region as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an ‘equivalent combination of education and experience.’ If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in theatre arts, and demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range $55,204

Position Type

Position Type Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours per Week

Number of Hours per Week 40

Number of Months per Year

Number of Months per Year 12

Salary Band Range

Salary Band Range $39,000 - $67,831

Salary Grade

Salary Grade For administrative purposes during the implementation of Career Banding this Advanced level position is considered a Salary Grade 65

Open Date

Open Date 10/12/2026

Close Date

Close Date 01/20/2027

Open Until Filled

Open Until Filled No

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Resume
• List of references

Optional Documents

• DD-214
• NGB 23A (RPAS)
• DD256 or NGB22

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • HERC - Higher Education Recruitment Consortium
  • Website - Jobs.wcu.edu
  • Indeed.com
  • Personal Referral
  • Agency Referral
  • Other