We Are Hiring!
Job Title: Technical Director
Location: Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, West Chester, PA 19320
Job Type: Full-time, overtime exempt
Pay: $55,000.00-$65,000.00 per year, commensurate with experience and skill sets.
Benefits: HSA; allowing full time employees to be reimbursed for their insurance premiums or out-of-pocket expenses according to the Affordable Care Act. Allowances vary.
About Uptown:
The mission of Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center is to promote cultural, economic and civic life experiences in our community through live theater, music, dance, film and other events in the heart of West Chester’s Historic District.
Uptown’s mission tenants include: Theatre, Music, Dance, Comedy, Film, and Education.
What we’re looking for:
We seek a technical director who is passionate about multi-disciplinary arts and creative collaboration. The Technical Director will be responsible for working with the Executive Director to build out a multi-talented team that can effectively perform the broad range of responsibilities at Uptown. We understand that candidates will have their own personal strengths in tech performance (i.e. sound, lighting, rigging, carpentry, etc.). Exact TD responsibilities may be tailored specifically to the strengths of the ideal candidate, leaving room for a team to be built out beyond those skill sets.
Broad Duties:
The Technical Director at Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center is responsible for ensuring high-quality and responsive delivery of technical production services. This includes the supervision, oversight, and monitoring of labor for all crews and stage-related operations, as well as the implementation and maintenance of all production elements such as lighting, sound, set design, and construction. The role requires the Technical Director to work closely with the education department (Uptown Studio), partner organizations, and all booked acts, ensuring safe-working practices, efficient production management, and artistic integrity. Availability to work any and all calls within the venue is required.
Defined Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:
- Assure all contractual agreements with presenters are met, and any possible concessions are reviewed and implemented after discussions with all parties
- Coordinate the needs of all shows and events produced, load-in and load-out, handling, assembling, and dismantling of all show-related equipment, including rehearsals, meetings, conventions, and any video recording.
- Hire and manage work crews for all productions and events.
- Obtain all technical information related to production by contacting all parties well in advance of their arrival. Work directly with artists/management to evaluate technical and staging needs.
- Act as an on-site liaison with all national and local productions and venue renters.
- Work with all presenters, including local partner arts organizations and Uptown Studio (education department), in all aspects of their productions to assist with the development of an operational plan.
- Organize and fill all labor requirements per the contractual agreement and requirements, and implement a proper timetable for the entire production.
- Track and implement payroll duties with the finance department, as needed.
- Assist in the development and monitoring of all stage-related capital and overhead budgets.
- Maintain proper maintenance and repair schedules
- Attend weekly staff meetings and hold regular tech department meetings to review programming schedules and needs.
- Attend all administrative and creative meetings meetings, as required
- Work with Uptown administrative staff and building personnel to keep the entire facility technically advanced for streamlined operations.
- Utilize computer hardware, software, and the internet proficiently.
- Meet deadlines and work with a collaborative attitude
- Design, set up, maintain, and operate sound, lighting, stage, and other technical equipment and systems, as needed. OR delegate these responsibilities appropriately while meeting budgetary needs.
- Develop and maintain relationships with local designers, builders, and industry professionals to build our network.
- Provide a bi-annual technical inventory of all equipment with recommendations for replacement or refurbishment.
- Stay abreast of new technology and software relative to lighting, audio engineering, and stagecraft.
Other Responsibilities:
- Occasional pick-up and delivery of equipment.
- Support other departments as needed.
Requirements:
- Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed
- Commitment to working with the education department, partner organizations, all booked acts, and rentals.
- Familiarity with ADA and OSHA compliance.
- Ability to handle multiple, simultaneous tasks in a timely manner and within assigned budgets.
- Collaborative attitude and solution-oriented approach.
- Competent, working knowledge of theatrical equipment, design tools, and software.
- Strong team leadership skills. Professionalism and ability to be helpful and supportive with a can-do attitude. A commitment to tackling challenges when they arise.
- Advanced communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Experience with digital mixing consoles (Yamaha CL/QL series preferred).
- Experience with Dante audio network protocol.
- Experience with ETC EOS lighting consoles and DMX protocol.
- Experience with live video production, including signal flow, remote operated cameras, live video switching, and live streaming.
- General knowledge of computer networking and the operation of both Mac and PC.
- Proficiency in Google Office Suite and/or Microsoft Office, Airtable, and Slack.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Willingness and flexibility to work varying times and hours each week to accommodate the production schedule.
Ability to Commute: West Chester, PA 19320