Technical Director Job at The Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta

Woodruff Arts Center employees play an integral role in creating and supporting great art and education initiatives at the nation's third largest arts center. Comprised of three Art Partners-Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art-there's a role for everyone at The Woodruff.

Reports to:
Director of Production
FLSA:
United States of America (Exempt)
Employment Status:
Regular/Full time
The Alliance Theatre is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our work, including play selection, casting, marketing and public relations efforts, education programs, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and the composition of the Board of Directors.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage all applicants who are committed to contributing to an equitable and inclusive work environment to apply for a role with us without feeling like they need to meet every single qualification of the position, specifically people from traditionally excluded/marginalized groups. If you're excited by this role and the job description aligns with you and the work you are passionate about doing, please apply to the position. You might be the right candidate for this role, or for others that we maybe adding to our team. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The Alliance Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, class, religion, country of origin, political belief, (dis)ability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any factor protected by law.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Technical Director (TD) of the Alliance Theatre (AT) leads the scene and paint shops in supporting the directors' and designers' visions related to scenery within the allotted time, budget, and scope, while managing the shop employees and maintaining high values of artistic excellence; equity, diversity, and inclusion; and fiscal responsibility. Strong applicants will have a demonstrated background in theatrical technical direction, experience leading a high-functioning team, and a high level of proficiency in CAD drafting. The TD will lead the build of extremely complex projects, including commercially enhanced musicals. The Alliance Theatre produces on LORT B and D stages, and Theatre for Young Audiences productions.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, late nights and weekends are common.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Staff Supervision:

• Direct reports include:

Two Assistant Technical Director

Shop Supervisor

Carpenters

Welder

Charge Scenic Artist

Scenic Artist

Additional labor hired as needed

• Actively participating in team building. Fostering a work environment of artistic excellence; equity, diversity, and inclusion; and financial responsibility
• Hiring of all AT Scene Shop personnel.

Budget Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Production Management to create the projected annual budget for the Scenery and Paints Department.
• Maintain records of expenses on each project.
• Exercise fiscal responsibility and accountability in purchasing.

Production Responsibilities:

• Collaborate and communicate with the design team and other production departments to establish methods for the design and execution of the scenery and/or other elements of productions.
• Designing technical solutions for the movement, function, and structure of scenic elements within industry standard safety guidelines.
• Drafting shop working drawings for all AT productions in conjunction with the Assistant Technical Directors.
• Directing the safe and timely manufacture, installation, and strike or storage of all scenic elements.
• Supervising load-in, technical rehearsals, and preview performance work schedules for scenic staff.
• Developing shift plots with the Stage Operations Manager and stage management as needed.
• Working with the Stage Operations Manager to develop and execute soft goods hang plots and rigging of scenery.
• Long range planning for the scenic department, including anticipating personnel, scheduling, and equipment needs.
• Ensuring the general safety of all Scene Shop operations and overseeing the compliance with all safety regulations.
• Attending design presentations, production meetings, department heads meetings, tech notes sessions, run-throughs, technical and dress rehearsals, and preview performances in conjunction with the Assistant Technical Director.
• Maintaining AT Scene Shop tools and equipment, manufacturing spaces, and office in conjunction with the Shop Supervisor.
• Providing technical support for in-house functions, rentals and special events, as necessary.
• Upholding the artistic standards and achieving the artistic vision of the Alliance Theatre.

Additional Responsibilities May Include:

• Generating, updating, and distributing technical specifications about the facilities to all designers.
• Assisting in loading and unloading of scenery.
• Other duties as assigned by production management.

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge:

• Strong project management skills that demonstrate the ability to deliver complex projects on time and on budget in a safe and efficient manner with artistic excellence.
• Ability to balance scale and scope of productions with designers and production management while allocating and advocating for appropriate time and resources needed to realize designers' visions.
• Must demonstrate superior written and verbal communication skills and be fluent in collaborating with a wide variety of artists, technicians, and administrators with diverse backgrounds, including people with demanding artistic talents and personalities.
• Ability to lead, inspire, and supervise employees to get work done efficiently and safely, including appropriate delegation to keep the flow of work moving.
• Must have complete proficiency and demonstrable experience in using CAD drafting to create scenery construction drawings.
• Must have knowledge of advanced modern theatrical scenic construction methods including rigging, hydraulics, pneumatics, theatrical automation, engineering, and structures to use in technical designs.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of construction materials commonly used in the theater and an understanding of appropriate use.
• Skills in carpentry, welding, rigging, and sewing to draw upon when engineering technical designs.
• Skills in preparing materials and labor budgets to keep projects within an acceptable timeframe, budget, and scope.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including the ability to create and maintain complex spreadsheets.
• Embraces a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by acting as an internal advocate in growing the equity, diversity and inclusion skills of Scenic Department employees and modeling inclusive behavior.

Education and Experience:

• Five or more years of experience in related positions; or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
• Substantial knowledge of leadership, teamwork, and management principles for a diverse staff.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 70% office work at a computer.
• 30% standing, walking, bending, frequent use of hands, stooping and heavy lifting (at least 75 pounds).
• Some work at heights on ladders and personnel lifts is necessary.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.