Technical Director (part-time)

LAUREL SCHOOL; Beachwood (OH); On-site; USD 17,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Laurel School seeks a Production Technical Manager to design and implement technical aspects for events including theatrical productions, assemblies, and concerts. Part-time, seasonal hours peak around performance times in evenings or weekends; duties cover lighting, sound, set design, and equipment maintenance.

The role requires hands-on skills in carpentry, scenic painting, and AV with a focus on collaboration, equity, and safety within school spaces.

Qualifications

• Experience in carpentry, scenic painting, sound/lighting design.
• At least 3 years in technical theatre.
• Specialization in one or more areas of technical theatre preferred (i.e. A/V, carpentry).
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well in teams.
• Experience as a teacher or mentor preferred.
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds, work on ladders and platforms, and stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Production & Events: collaborate to execute set design, install/remove, and manage lighting/sound for events.
• Operational Management: manage Performing Arts spaces, adhere to fire codes, coordinate with facilities.
• Student Leadership: oversee student Chapel Tech team and stage crew; train students.
• Technical/Operational Maintenance: maintain Chapel space and equipment.
• Evening Community Events: provide technical support for school events and rentals.
• Music Concerts: support student concerts with AV and lighting direction.

Skills

Carpentry

Scenic painting

Sound design

Lighting design

Communication

Team leadership

Tools

A/V equipment

Lighting consoles

Job description

Description

School Mission & Culture

Laurel School seeks talented faculty who put students first and strive to make a difference in their lives. We seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty who thrive on being engaged participants in our community and are committed to anti-racist education and the development of young women as authentic learners and leaders. The most successful candidates are solution-driven, embrace iteration, see opportunities before problems, and thrive in a fast-paced, forward-thinking environment. Laurel lives our mission: to inspire each girl to fulfill her promise and to better the world.

Position Summary

The Production Technical Manager at Laurel School is responsible for the design and implementation of technical aspects for a wide range of school events, including theatrical productions, assemblies, and concerts. Laurel has a legacy of strong performances; traditions are as important as new ideas. Creativity, imagination, and flexibility are as crucial as practical skills. This is a part-time position with focused work time in the afternoon; more hours are required around performance events that may occur in the evenings or weekends, and during tech weeks.

Chapel Technical Manager Duties

• Production & Events: Collaborating with designers to execute set design, construction, installation, and removal, as well as managing lighting and sound design/operation for events as required. Serving as the Production Technical Manager for theatrical productions.
• Operational Management: Managing Performing Arts spaces (including but not limited to the Chapel, green room, workshop, and costume shop), adhering to fire codes, and handling timely responses to event needs via the school's scheduling systems. Coordinating with facilities teams for larger repairs.
• Student Leadership: Coordinating and overseeing the student Chapel Tech team (for morning assemblies and in-school events) and student stage management/crew (for performances). Willingness to train Upper School students in various technical protocols. Maintain the school’s commitment to equity and belonging.
• Technical/Operational Maintenance: Maintain the Chapel space and ensure that all technical equipment housed there is stored and managed properly.
• Evening Community Events: Prepare designated spaces (Chapel, and at times the Tippitt Gym) and provide technical support for schoolwide events such as LCRG forums, Curriculum Nights, etc. as needed.
• Evening or Weekend Rentals: Provide technical support when the Chapel is rented for outside use during non-school hours. Scheduling these events will be done in collaboration with the Production Technical Manager.
• Music Concerts: Provide technical support for our student music concerts, both daytime and evening, including AV support. Additional building and technical direction required for the annual Snowflake Assembly in December with special attention to lights and sound setup in the Tippitt Gym.
• Artistic Vision: We seek a creative thinker who can collaborate with our faculty to dream big.
• Collaborative Culture: Attend production meetings and faculty/staff meetings as assigned; timely communication with faculty, students, and families.

This is a part-time, seasonal (10-month), variable-hour role structured around events, including theatrical productions, assemblies, and concerts all tied to the academic calendar. Average of 16 hours weekly with peak production times of November, December, February, April, and May.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Experience in carpentry, scenic painting, sound/lighting design
• At least 3 years of experience in technical theatre required
• Specialization in one or more areas of technical theatre preferred (i.e. A/V, carpentry, etc)
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work well in teams
• Experience as a teacher or mentor preferred
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds with or without assistance, work on ladders and platforms, and stand for extended periods