Theatrical Technical Director

City of Lakeland, Civil Service; Naples (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Lakeland's RP Funding Center seeks a senior technical producer to lead, manage and execute technical production services for concerts, theatre, sports, and events across the facility.

You will oversee staffing, budgets, equipment, vendors, and production resources, coordinate with clients and promoters, ensure safety and quality, and act as primary technical resource and member of the Center's management team.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Technical Theatre or related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible live event production experience.
• Experience with large venue operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of technical production and event operations.
• Oversee equipment, labor, budgets, and vendors.
• Provide real-time problem-solving during events.
• Coordinate with IT and outside vendors.

Skills

Technical leadership

Staff management

Event production

Client coordination

Budget management

Education

Associate degree in Technical Theatre

Tools

Dante Networking

ETCP Certification

AVIXA CTS

Job description

This position leads, manages, plans, coordinates, and executes technical production services for the RP Funding Center. The position leads the Tech/Production Department and serves as the Center's primary technical resource for concerts, touring productions, theatre, sports, conventions, meetings, graduations, corporate events, community events, and other activities held throughout the facility.

This position provides hands‑on technical leadership while managing departmental personnel, equipment, systems, budgets, vendors, contractors, and production services. This position works directly with clients, promoters, touring production personnel, event planners, vendors, contractors, City departments, and venue staff to ensure events are technically prepared, safely executed, and responsive to client and production requirements.

The position exercises independent judgment in determining technical requirements, staffing, equipment, outside services, and production resources necessary to support events successfully. The position also serves as a key member of the Center's management team and is responsible for developing and maintaining the Tech/Production Department's operational capabilities.

Please note this posting is "Continuous" and can close at ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

• Leads the planning, coordination, and execution of technical production and event operations, including event advances, technical riders, schedules, drawings, equipment, labor, load‑ins, setups, rehearsals, performances, changeovers, load‑outs, and restoration.
• Determines and coordinates technical equipment, labor, outside services, and other resources required to support events and provides real‑time technical problem‑solving during event operations.
• Oversees the operation, configuration, testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and integration of professional audio, lighting, video, projection, LED, camera, presentation, recording, livestreaming production and engineering, digital signage, networked A/V, and other event technology systems.
• Coordinates venue event technology and networked production systems with City Information Technology and outside vendors, troubleshooting issues and escalating matters as appropriate while maintaining the distinction between venue technology responsibilities and enterprise City IT functions.
• Provides technical oversight of stage systems, rigging, curtains, draperies, orchestra pit/stage systems, loading areas, temporary structures, cable management, and power distribution; coordinates qualified personnel and contractors and identifies work requiring specialized, licensed, or certified expertise.
• Leads departmental staffing, recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling, supervision, performance management, and professional development in accordance with City policies and procedures; supervises employees, temporary personnel, contractors, and outside production personnel and coordinates union and non‑union technical labor as applicable.
• Develops staffing plans, departmental work practices, performance expectations, training standards, and procedures that promote safe, effective, professional, and productive operations.
• Serves as the primary technical resource for promoters, touring productions, renters, event producers, convention and meeting clients, corporate clients, performers, vendors, and visiting production crews from initial advance through load‑out.
• Reviews and communicates technical requirements, venue capabilities and limitations, labor and equipment needs, policies, and associated costs, and coordinates technical requirements with other Center departments to ensure successful event execution.
• Ensures technical operations comply with applicable OSHA, fire/life safety, electrical, rigging, fall protection, PPE, and facility requirements and establishes appropriate inspection, testing, maintenance, inventory, security, and documentation practices for technical equipment and systems.
• Develops and manages departmental operating and capital budget requests, expenditures, estimates, purchasing, rentals, repairs, outside services, equipment replacement, technology upgrades, and capital projects in accordance with City requirements.
• Coordinates with vendors and City departments on procurement, contracts, installations, repairs, technical services, testing, commissioning, and facility improvements and maintains appropriate technical, equipment, budget, and project records.
• Develops and maintains departmental programs, procedures, standards, best practices, training, and professional development; evaluates operations and implements improvements in efficiency, service, safety, technology, and employee development.
• Participates in production and event planning meetings, budget and capital planning, post‑event reviews, and other management activities; maintains current knowledge of industry standards and emerging technologies and may serve as Manager‑on‑Duty or provide management support when assigned.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• Required to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

• Associate degree from an accredited college or university in Technical Theatre, Theatre Production, Entertainment Technology, Audio Engineering, Information Technology, Event Production, or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in live event production, theatre, arena, convention, entertainment, audiovisual production, or a related field.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies for success in the target position may be considered.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a telephone number.
• Experience in technical production and event operations at a large venue or public assembly facility, including touring, theatre, sports, conventions, corporate events, broadcast, streaming, or large‑scale audiovisual production is preferred.
• Experience with integrated event technology, including audio, networked AV, LED/video, event Wi‑Fi, technical drafting software, and facility technology or capital projects is preferred.
• Relevant technical certifications or training, including OSHA, ETCP, AVIXA CTS, Dante, equipment operation, CPR/AED/First Aid, or manufacturer training is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE

• Microsoft 365 and computerized operational systems.
• Live event production and technical operations.
• Audio, lighting, video, AV, stagecraft, rigging, and event technology.
• Networking and technology systems used in event and production environments.
• The Dante Audio Network protocol.
• AES50 audio protocol.
• Lighting network protocols: sACN, RDM, ETC NET 3.
• Meyer Sound Galaxy 816 Audio Processor.
• Analog and digital audio consoles, specifically, Midas and Yamaha.
• ETC EoS lighting consoles.

SKILLS

• Demonstrated experience across multiple technical disciplines, including audio, lighting, video, stagecraft, event technology, or related production systems.
• Advance events, review technical riders, develop technical plans, coordinate labor and equipment, and arrange outside technical services.
• Supervising, leading, training, and/or managing technical personnel.
• Strong organizational, project management, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.

ABILITIES

• Troubleshoot technical problems and make sound decisions in time‑sensitive event environments.
• Communicate effectively with clients, touring personnel, vendors, contractors, City departments, and members of the public.
• Lighting design and operation.
• Audio Mixing, Both Front of House and Monitors.
• Read and interpret technical riders, drawings, stage plots, floor plans, signal‑flow diagrams, and other production documentation.
• Estimate technical requirements, labor, equipment, and outside services.
• Lead, train, supervise, coach, evaluate, and develop technical personnel.
• Exercise sound judgment and remain effective in high‑pressure, time‑sensitive event environments.
• Manage multiple priorities and changing event requirements.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Medium‑to‑heavy physical effort, including frequent standing, walking, climbing stairs and ladders, stooping, reaching, stretching, pushing, pulling, carrying, and lifting equipment and materials. The position may require exerting up to 100 pounds of force regularly and occasionally lifting 50 pounds.
• May involve elevated work areas when properly trained and equipped; hot or cold temperatures; fumes; extreme noise levels; theatrical lighting; electrical hazards; moving machinery; traffic; adverse weather conditions; noxious odors; dust; wet or humid conditions; and other conditions associated with event production.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e‑mail and telephone messages regularly, including “junk” folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.