Technical Director & Production Manager

Job Description

Job Description

osition Title: Technical Director & Production Manager

Department: Production

Reports to: Head of Production

FLSA Designation: Full Time, Exempt

Supervises: Assigned union/nonunion crews, over hire, and contractors during designated productions; no standing direct reports unless assigned

Compensation: $68,000 - $75,000

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Technical Director and Production Manager provides technical direction and production management for all original and self-produced productions presented by The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory, including the BrickBox Theater, the Main Stage, and other assigned performance locations. The role leads technical planning and execution for these productions from preproduction through strike, translating artistic concepts into safe, practical plans and coordinating schedules, budgets, designers, crews, vendors, and technical systems. Collaborates with fellow Production Managers on Main Stage touring and presented engagements, contributing technical expertise and coordinating assigned responsibilities for load-ins, technical preparation, changeovers, and load-outs as needed. The employee works independently within delegated authority and collaborates with the Head of Production, Programming, THT Rep, Conservatory, stage management, designers, visiting companies, and union and nonunion crews.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following list of essential job functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

Technical Direction Across Venues

1. Serve as technical lead for assigned original and self-produced productions at the BrickBox Theater, on the Main Stage, and at other designated locations; assess venue readiness, technical feasibility, equipment, staffing, and show-specific needs.
2. Independently assess and operate lighting, sound, video/projection, theatrical electrical distribution, scenic systems, stage machinery and applicable rigging within training, certification and approved safety limits.
3. Interpret design drawings, riders and specifications, technical drawings, cue/system documentation, equipment lists and practical implementation plans.
4. Advance technical requirements with directors, designers, visiting artists, and venue partners; assess feasibility, labor, equipment, schedules, and costs across the applicable performance space; identify conflicts early and escalate material risks.
5. Participate directly in scenic builds, installations, load-ins, technical rehearsals, performances, changeovers, strikes, and load-outs for assigned original productions; arrange qualified specialists when needed.

Production Management for All Original Works

1. Serve as Production Manager for original and self-produced works across THT Rep, the Conservatory, and other Hanover programming.
2. Own production schedules, milestones, design and technical meetings, labor plans, budgets, rehearsals, technical periods, load-ins, performance support, strikes, and closeout for assigned original productions; adapt plans to each venue’s operational requirements.
3. Coordinate design and production departments, stage management, contractors and vendors; document decisions, owners, dependencies and changes.
4. Prepare technical cost estimates; track approved production budgets, purchase orders, rentals, invoices and labor utilization; report variances and propose solutions before commitments exceed authorization.
5. Maintain production files, risk assessments, run-of-show and handoff documentation; lead postproduction technical debriefs and capture lessons learned.

Presented Production Support

1. Collaborate with fellow Production Managers on Main Stage touring and presented engagements, contributing hands-on technical expertise and coordinating assigned responsibilities for pre-arrival preparation, equipment and stage readiness, load-ins, changeovers, rehearsals, and load-outs.
2. Work in partnership with the Production Manager assigned to each engagement, house technical personnel, visiting production representatives, IATSE crews, and vendors to resolve technical requirements, troubleshoot problems, and maintain safe and efficient operations.
3. Carry out responsibilities assigned by the Head of Production in coordination with fellow Production Managers. Each Production Manager retains accountability for their designated engagements; this position does not report to other Production Managers.

Technical Supervision

1. Plan, oversee and participate in scenic fabrication, installation and maintenance; manage shop tools, materials and inventory.
2. Ensure technical elements are structurally sound and appropriately reviewed; obtain qualified rigging, electrical or engineering support when needed.
3. Direct assigned union and nonunion crews for original productions within applicable collective bargaining agreements and established reporting relationships; coordinate work calls, technical handoffs, and readiness meetings with the Head of Production and venue leads.
4. Coach assigned personnel and students on safe practices and equipment use; coordinate with stage management and other production leads.

Safety, Compliance, Equipment and Facilities

1. Maintain safe stages, shops and backstage workspaces; enforce PPE, fall protection, ladder/lift, electrical, fire, rigging and emergency protocols applicable to each activity.
2. Coordinate annual inspections and required certifications with Production leadership and qualified vendors; document findings, corrective actions and equipment taken out of service.
3. Maintain preventive maintenance schedules, service logs, equipment inventories, inspection records, and repair priorities for assigned theatrical equipment and systems across Hanover venues, in coordination with designated venue and production personnel.
4. Recommend capital replacements and upgrades with cost, safety and operational justification; coordinate building-related work with Facilities.
5. Follow applicable collective bargaining agreements, safety requirements and internal purchasing approvals; refer contract interpretation or labor disputes to designated leadership.

General Responsibilities & Organizational Expectations

1. Perform other duties as assigned.
2. Adhere to the organization’s values at all times and in all interactions with staff, volunteers and members of the public.
3. Fully comply with the organization’s rules and regulations for the safe and efficient operation of all spaces.

SKILLS AND SPECIFICATIONS:

The employee must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to demonstrate that they can perform the above responsibilities and essential functions to a high level of competency, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Deep practical knowledge of theatrical lighting control and distribution, audio systems, projection/video, scenic construction, rigging and stage operations; able to diagnose problems without routine supervision.
• Proficiency with production planning tools; familiarity with ETC Eos, DMX/networked lighting and digital audio systems strongly preferred.
• Strong independent judgment, organization, written documentation, budget tracking, vendor coordination and calm decision-making under live-show pressure.
• Ability to balance simultaneous productions and communicate effectively with designers, artists, students, technical specialists and union crews.
• Commitment to respectful collaboration, accessibility, organizational values and high-quality audience experiences.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five or more years of progressively responsible professional technical theatre experience, including demonstrated technical direction and production coordination/management for staged work; equivalent combinations of education and experience considered.
• Demonstrated hands-on technical leadership across different performance venues, including adaptable black box spaces and larger proscenium or presenting-house environments, and experience delivering original productions from planning through strike.
• Experience with professional producing theatre, original works, Main Stage load-ins, visiting touring productions, and union environments strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in technical theatre, theatre production or related field preferred, not required where equivalent experience is demonstrated.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• On-site role requiring evening, weekend and occasional holiday work aligned with production schedules.
• Work may involve ladders, approved lifts, backstage/catwalk areas, variable lighting, noise and use of hand/power tools, with appropriate training and safeguards.
• Ability to move equipment and scenery, including lifting up to 50 pounds when safely appropriate; team lifts or mechanical assistance used when needed.
• Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.