Technical Director - #132735

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

Job summary

Western Carolina University’s School of Stage and Screen in Cullowhee, NC, seeks a Technical Director to oversee scenic construction, shop operations and production workflows for theatre and film projects. You will coordinate student crews, manage budgets with faculty, ensure safety standards, and collaborate across production areas to support hands‑on learning and high‑quality performances.

Ideal candidates will bring strong leadership in scenic construction, technical drawings, and shop

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in theatre arts (or equivalent) and demonstrated competencies for theatre work.
• Ability to plan, construct, & install scenery from drawings and documents.
• Knowledge of theatre production practices, shop safety, and rigging.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate scene shop operations and student crews.
• Manage budgeting, planning, and execution of scenic construction for theatre and film productions.
• Develop efficient production workflows and uphold safety practices.

Skills

Scenic construction

Technical drawings

Shop practices

Safety & rigging

Production technology

Training & supervision

Driver's license & vehicle operation

Education

Bachelor's degree in theatre arts

Job description

Technical Director - #132735

Posting Details

Posting Number: SHRA1725P

Quick Link for Internal Postings: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35683

Classification Title: Arts Production Specialist

Competency Level: Advanced

Working Title: Technical Director - #132735

Department: School of Stage & Screen

About WCU

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.

All new hires into positions subject to the State Human Resources Act (SHRA) will serve a 12 month probationary period as defined by the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR).

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

$55,204

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours per Week

40

Number of Months per Year

12

Salary Band Range

$39,000 - $67,831