Technical Director - Proprietary Events

Derse; Milwaukee, Northern (WI, KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Comprehensive benefits

Culture that values ideas

85+ years of stability

Job summary

Derse is a complete face-to-face marketing agency and exhibit builder with a long-standing track record. We seek a Technical Director to lead the technical strategy, execution, and integration for proprietary events from concept through post-event evaluation.

The role is in-office in Milwaukee, WI and will drive innovation, strengthen partnerships, and elevate event design, technology, and operations across the lifecycle.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in technical event production, preferably for proprietary events or trade show management.
• Strong client and internal stakeholder communication skills.
• Ability to travel and support client activations throughout the year; travel is heavy at times.

Responsibilities

• Support the event team leadership in delivering complex technical programs for proprietary events.
• Own the technical experience to scale event goals and exceed expectations.
• Define event strategy with proprietary events team, PM, and client contacts.
• Manage and assess technical production budget across the event lifecycle.
• Develop and revise technical/production drawings and plans for accuracy.
• Present plans and updates to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Lead technical pre-production: schedules, site plans, labor planning, show flow.
• Establish technical integration standards within Derse and client portfolios.
• Manage vendor relationships to fit technical partnerships.
• Identify risks and develop proactive plans to protect event experiences.
• Drive event technology and production innovations and best practices.
• Influence event design and strategy in early creative development.
• Evaluate technical performance and post-event measurements.

Skills

Technical event production

Client & stakeholder comms

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Event Management/Technical Production

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Description

Derse is a complete face-to-face marketing agency and exhibit builder. We bring a smarter approach to building client sales while managing their trade show, marketing environments and event programs. Our teams are made up of smart and forward-thinking people who bring experiential marketing solutions to life!

We believe in committing to a long-term investment in your career with a total rewards package including:

• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package
• A bright and energetic culture where your ideas are valued
• 75+ years of financial stability

Derse employs nearly 600 people in marketing, program management, creative & skilled production, and corporate support. Locations include Milwaukee, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, Pittsburgh, and various communities in Poland & Germany. Visit our website derse.com to learn more!

As the Technical Director you'll lead the technical strategy, execution, and integration for high-impact proprietary events. This role is in-office in Milwaukee, WI and oversees the full technical production lifecycle, from early creative development through post-event evaluation. The Technical Director also drives innovation, strengthens partnerships, and proactively identifies opportunities to elevate event design, technology, and operational performance.

Technical Director - Proprietary Events Responsibilities

• Support the event team leadership in delivering complex technical programs to proprietary events.
• Own the technical experience to expand on the overall event goals and scale to exceed expectations.
• Partner with proprietary events team, project management, and client contacts to define event strategy.
• Accurately manage and assess technical production budget throughout event life cycle.
• Develop, review, and revise technical / production drawings and plans to ensure accuracy.
• Present plans, recommendations, and updates regularly to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Lead on technical pre-production, including schedules, site plans, labor planning, and show/event flow.
• Establish technical integration standards within Derse and client portfolios.
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure the best fit in technical partnerships to accomplish objectives.
• Identify technical and operational risks, developing proactive plans to protect event experiences.
• Drive event technology and production innovations internally and implement best standard practices.
• Influence event design and strategy in the early stages of creative development.
• Evaluate technical performance and conduct post-event performance measurements.

Requirements

Technical Director - Proprietary Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree within Event Management, Technical/Theater Production, Business Management or similar required.
• 8+ years of experience within technical event production, preferably in proprietary events or trade show management.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD or similar drafting programs preferred.
• Strong client and internal stakeholder communication skills.
• Ability to travel and support client activations throughout the year. Travel is considered heavy at times.