Technical Director (Theater)

Zach Theater; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 67,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401K matching

Paid time off

Tickets to shows

Free parking

Job summary

Zach Theater is Austin’s leading professional producing theater seeking a Technical Director to oversee on-time and on-budget scenery execution for Main Stage, Family Series, and events. You will manage load-ins, automation, and special effects, while guiding design decisions and production drawings at the Nowlin-Renaud Scenic Studios.

Responsibilities include supervising scenic and paint staff, maintaining equipment, and coordinating with departments to ensure safe, high-paced changeovers.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in scene shop leadership or equivalent.
• Experience budgeting, staffing, and scheduling.
• Knowledge of stage automation practices and equipment.
• Ability to produce construction drawings from concept to shop floor.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Scenic Studios and paint shops for all productions.
• Develop engineering and construction solutions, including automation and rigging.
• Create build schedules and cost estimates with leadership.
• Supervise staff, hires, and performance feedback.
• Ensure safety protocols and compliance across studios.

Skills

Budgeting

Staff leadership

AutoCAD

Stage automation

Rigging

Communication

Project management

Education

MFA in Technical Direction

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

AutoCAD 2D/3D

3D printing

CNC

MS Office

Job description

Description

At Zach, we believe in the power of light—to illuminate new ideas, spark imagination, and bring people together. As Austin’s leading professional producing theater, we create vibrant, intimate theater experiences that engage, inspire, and connect our community. The Technical Director is in charge of the on-time and on-budget execution of Scenery for Main Stage, Family Series, Education, and Event productions, including support of Development and Marketing events, at the direction of the Director of Production. This position works in conjunction with the Stage Operations Supervisor and Assistant Technical Director in order to achieve high pace and safe scenery change overs, including leading load-in and load-out of scenery, automation, and special effects. This role maintains budgets, creates calendars, schedules, hires and supervises technical personnel for all operations at the Nowlin-Renaud Scenic Studios, including Scenery and Paint shops. This position is responsible for guiding the scenic construction and engineering decisions throughout the design process including automation and special effects. In conjunction with the Assistant Technical Director, the TD produces accurate and detailed drawing packets including ground plans, sections, and construction drawings for all productions. The TD is responsible for the daily operations of the Nowlin-Renaud Scenic Studios supervising the fabrication and paint shops and their teams and resources.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervises the Nowlin-Renaud Scenic Studios Scenic and paint shops including the building and delivery of all scenery, automation, and special effects for all productions–this includes the reviewing, budgeting, scheduling, staffing, drafting, construction, installation/load in, storing, and load out of all theatrical productions
• Responsible for the development of engineering and construction solutions for production design, including automation solutions, structural design, rigging solutions, and material specification and procurement
• Responsible for the development of build schedules and estimates in coordination with the Assistant Technical Director and Lead Scenic Charge
• Supervises the execution of technical and construction drawings by the Assistant Technical Director for all Scenic, Paints, and Properties
• Orchestrates Load-In and attends Technical and Dress Rehearsals, and Design Meetings at the Director of Production’s direction
• Implements Nowlin-Renaud Scenic Studios workplace safety program and develops new protocols and processes to maintain safe and best practices in a dynamic workplace, including holding weekly meetings about safety and current productions
• Periodic floor rotations to ensure builds are on track with scheduled daily and weekly activities. Frequent check-in with scenic staff to support workflows, provide guidance, and monitor work quality and deadlines
• Supervises all scenery and paint staff of the Nowlin-Renaud Scenic Studios including approval of timesheets, PTO requests, performance feedback, review and growth, and hiring/termination of full-time, part-time, and temporary part-time staff
• Maintains all production equipment, tools, stock goods, and scenery at the Nowlin-Renaud Scenic Studios
• Coordinates all facility repairs, maintenance, inspections, and compliance of the Scenic Studios in coordination with the Zach Facilities Manager and General Manager
• Works effectively with the Stage Operations Supervisor, Lighting Supervisor, Audio Visual Manager, and other departments to coordinate and achieve safe, efficient, and high paced changeovers
• Keeps the Director of Production informed of any problems within the Scenery Department via weekly budget updates and general sharing of information
• Oversees FIFO Materials Inventory system for Scenic Studios
• Development and maintenance of production and show budgets, as well as the submission of receipts to Finance according to set deadlines and processes
• Special Events: Works with Development, Director of Production, and the Artistic Director in the scheduling, logistics and technical requirements of company events
• Supports technical needs of facility rentals
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 6+ years of scene shop leadership (preferred), including budget and hiring experience OR 3+ years of scene shop leadership and an MFA in Technical Direction or related field, with specific knowledge of Stage Automation practices, equipment, and techniques

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated planning and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Demonstrated skills in situational leadership, recruiting, hiring, and developing staff
• Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, manage projects and multitask
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing
• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization, vendors, and other key stakeholders
• Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, lead personnel and projects, and multitask efficiently
• Demonstrated experience in managing artisan teams with multiple priorities and varied needs
• Mathematical skills including structural design, geometry, algebra and trigonometry
• Demonstrated skills that encompass all areas of theatrical carpentry/ craftsmanship
• Ability to produce construction drawings, from concept to shop floor, using both 2D and 3D AutoCAD drafting techniques
• Ability to project material and labor costs for scenic units
• In depth demonstrated knowledge of theatrical rigging systems and stage automation
• Ability in design and installation of Stage Automation solution, with preferred familiarity of Creative Conners equipment and SpikeMark software
• Demonstrated knowledge of 3d Printing, CnC, and other advanced fabrication techniques, specifically in preparatory drafting
• Demonstrated knowledge of scenic painting techniques and tools
• Working knowledge of MS Office including MS Word and Excel, as well as Google Suite
• Ability to operate panel vans and box trucks up to 24’ in length
• Ability and desire to be a part of a technical problem solving environment
• Willingness to safely operate forklift per Zach protocol after in-house certification
• A demonstrated knowledge of stage operations
• A general knowledge of equity and union rules
• A working knowledge of theatre history and the design processes
• Working knowledge of electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems
• Ability to perform all work with a direct reflection of the vision, mission, and values of Zach Theater

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a campus-based, on-site role. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions upon discussion with HR.

• Ability to lift, push, pull or otherwise maneuver up to 70 lbs repeatedly, either alone or with assistance
• Comfortable working on ladders, mechanical lifts or other high places
• Comfortable working in confined spaces
• Comfortable with mechanics and automation
• Must have reliable transportation and the ability to work with a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends as scheduled
• The noise level in this work environment is typically moderate and can be high.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Director of Production

Supervises (if any): Scenic Studios Scenery and Paint Staff, Overhire Artisans and Technicians

Supports: Production, Development, Education, Rentals

Peer collaboration/communicates with: Costume Shop Manager, Stage Operations Supervisor, Lighting Supervisor, Audio Visual Manager, Wardrobe Supervisor, and other members of the Production Team

SALARY

Range: Beginning salary starting at $67k-$80k annually commensurate with experience and qualifications. New hires are typically brought into the organization between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range posted depending upon qualifications, years of experience in a similar role, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.

All offers of employment are conditional pending the successful completion of background and reference checks.

Some of the great benefits available to Zach Employees

• Affordable Healthcare Coverage for Full-Time Employees and their Dependents
• Employer Paid Life and AD&D insurance
• Employer Paid Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401K Matching Program
• Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time
• Paid HolidaysFree Parking
• Tickets to Mainstage and Family Series shows and enrollment in Camps/Classes

Zach Theater is committed to ensuring an equitable and inclusive workforce and we strive for a team that reflects Austin’s diverse culture. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, sex or age.