Technical Event Production Manager - 141744

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental/Vision Insurance

Vacation/holidays

Work/Life Balance

UC Retirement Plan

Pet insurance

Job summary

UC San Diego is seeking a Production Manager to lead a student staff team and oversee technical productions for the University Centers’ events.

You will coordinate audio, video, lighting, and power distribution, ensuring high-quality service across venues such as the Stage Room and Loft, while maintaining safety protocols and training staff.

Qualifications

• Mastery level knowledge in multiple technical theater production areas (lighting, sound, video, projections, rigging).
• Strong budget administration knowledge and experience producing technical production budgets.
• Proven ability to hire, train, and manage student staff and ensure safety protocols are followed.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of student staff to support campus events at University Centers facilities.
• Coordinate and oversee sound, lighting, video, and power distribution services for events.
• Serve as primary production contact for Stage Room and Loft facilities and manage safety programs.

Skills

Team leadership

Technical production

Budget management

Safety training

Hiring/training students

Client liaison

Job description

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/13/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the University Centers Technical Services Director, the incumbent will be responsible for leading a team of technical student staff, primarily focused on supporting campus events and traditions within the University Centers' main facilities - the Price Center and the Student Center, and secondarily to support a wide variety of other campus events and traditions in a multitude of indoor and outdoor venues on campus.

The Production Manager provides technical expertise in the planning and producing of technical production events primarily in the two University Centers nightclub facilities - The Loft and the Stage Room, and secondarily for any other University Centers managed venue as well as for a multitude of other venues on the UC San Diego campus as needed. Coordinate and oversee sound, lighting, video, and power distribution services to ensure timely and high-quality service for all University Centers Technical Services supported events.

Serve as the primary production point of contact for the Stage Room facilities and the Loft and assist in managing other operational facets of the facility, including audio-visual system maintenance, repair, inventory, and assisting with the hiring and training of student staff. This role ensures day-to-day operational activities run smoothly.

This position will apply industry best practices to coordinate and operate the technical support of a multitude (~1000/year) of events of all types and calibers - from casual to high-profile, such as banquets, classes, concerts, conferences, contests, dances, exhibitions, festivals, films, fundraisers, info sessions, lectures, meetings, orientations, receptions, sporting events, theatrical productions, trade-shows, and VIP events. The Production Manager uses skills as a seasoned, experienced professional, to provide comprehensive coordination and management oversight of events.

Serve as a Department Safety Coordinator of the University Centers, facilitating emergency response during disasters. Responsible for Safety Training within the Technical Services Department.

Participate in the hiring, supervision, and training of a student technical team and provide work direction to other University Centers student staff. Provide training of student technicians in the safe use, operation, and maintenance of audio, video, projection, lighting, and power distribution equipment. Responsible for the implementation and operation of safety protocols. May serve in a variety of production capacities given the needs of the calendar year.

This position will serve as the lead for student crew management or equipment management:

• Student crew management entails leading weekly student staff meetings (for providing updates on work processes & procedures and for scheduling necessary staffing ahead 2-4 weeks), sending out weekly schedule emails, and scheduling/supervising training sessions.
• Equipment management entails leading the maintenance of ~$1 million in professional audio, video, projection, lighting, rigging, and power distribution systems - both portable and installed; ensuring that all such equipment is functional, organized, and safe to use. Also responsible for researching and purchasing new equipment to keep equipment current/modern/state of the art, and to fulfill operational goals set forth by University Centers Administration.

Primarily supported event spaces include:

INDOOR: 11,000sq ft (1250 capacity) West Ballroom, (6,000sq ft (600 capacity) East Ballroom, 4,300sq ft (475 capacity) Theater, 3,800sq ft SSC Multipurpose Room (240 capacity), 2 nightclubs (1,000sq ft Loft & 4,500sq ft Stage Room), 25 meeting roomsOUTDOOR: 18,000sq ft Plaza, 33,000sq ft Library Walk, 40,000sq ft Matthews Quad, 42,000sq ft Town Square

Responsible for all activities associated with multiple / comprehensive technical aspects of technical productions, including procedures and administering / monitoring budgetary expenditures consistent with budgetary allocations, and training of staff / students. May be responsible for maintenance of technical equipment in venues, shops, and storage, including facilities and stage equipment, tools and materials, and establishing and ensuring implementation of operational procedures for all users within the facilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Mastery level knowledge in multiple technical theater production areas such as lighting, sound, video, costumes, hair / make-up, properties, scenery, scenic treatment, etc. Thorough working knowledge of University and collective bargaining policies, practices, rules, regulations, etc., including safety rules and regulations.
• A high level of understanding and skill to operate professional audio, video, projection, lighting, rigging and power distribution systems to produce theatrical performances.
• Thorough problem recognition, avoidance and resolution skills. Established skill in analyzing information, problems, situations, and procedures to define the problem or objective, identify relevant concerns or factors and formulate logical and objective conclusions.
• Thorough knowledge / skills in all aspects of budget administration. Experienced in creating technical production event budgets, operating spreadsheet software (Excel Google Sheets), and producing timely reports.
• Knowledge and skill in the use of computer drafting/diagramming software to create lighting designs, power distribution plans, and event layouts.
• Demonstrated ability to hire, train, and manage student employees.
• Thorough verbal and interpersonal communication skills to communicate complex instructions and information to disparate constituencies. Skilled in the ability to understand and translate technical documents for other nontechnical staff. Ability to give clear directives and use independent, rational judgment to make optimal decisions.
• Ability to safety and proficiently operate forklifts, genie lifts, catwalks, and ladders.
• Thorough organizational skills. Demonstrated organizational and project management skills to work successfully with clients to produce high-quality production events that meet client needs and appropriately represent the campus
• Thorough negotiation, analytical and research skills to interpret data, prepare conclusions and successfully negotiate terms and conditions of technical event reservations that are in the best interest of the institution.
• Strong knowledge of personnel administration. Well-versed in developing staffing schedules and performance management.
• Strong problem recognition / avoidance / resolution skills. Established skill in analyzing information, problems, situations and procedures to define the problem or objective, identify relevant concerns or factors and formulate logical and objective conclusions.
• Knowledge and skill in the use of various mechanical and electrical tools for troubleshooting and repairing technical production equipment and electrical systems.
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA policies, EH&S safety regulations, and safety equipment.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet event needs. This position works late nights and on weekends regularly as required.
• The job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results. Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.
• Mandated Reporter: This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and requires immediate reporting of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect of anyone under the age of 18. It is the responsibility of the Mandated Reporter to ensure that they obtain proper training in order to fulfill their reporting responsibilities as required by the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and University policy, and to complete and submit the required reports to the UC San Diego Police Department without delay.

This position is eligible for full benefits first day of hire:
a) Health/Dental/Vision Insurance.
b) Vacation/holidays (15 vacation days & 13 paid holidays a year).
c) Work/Life Balance.
d) UC Retirement Plan
e) Pet insurance.

For more information about UCSD Benefits and Work/Life.

To calculate an approximate value of the UC Total Compensation package, please click: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/total-compensation-calculator.php

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: Unclassified - No data available (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: Unclassified - No data available

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).