Technical Director

Company Overview:

The 5th Avenue Theatre’s mission is to nurture, advance, and celebrate all aspects of the great art form: the musical. As one of America’s premier musical theater companies, The 5th is a major economic driver, playing a key role in the revitalization of downtown Seattle. We produce multiple musicals annually and proudly employ local talent, with 90%+ of our 700 artists living in Washington. Our renowned education programs serve 35,000 K-12 students annually, and our engagement programs facilitate connections between people, organizations, different cultures, and various art forms. The 5th is an invaluable treasure to Seattle, and central to America’s theatrical landscape; we have originated 26 new musicals, 11 of which have gone on to Broadway and garnered 15 Tony Awards®, including two for Best Musical.

Position Summary

• Position: Technical Director
• Department: Production
• Reports to:  Director of Production
• FLSA Classification: Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt
• Compensation:  $95,000 – $105,000
• Work Location: Downtown and South Seattle. The 5th Avenue Theatre auditorium and production spaces are located within the Skinner Building (1326 and 1308 5th Avenue). There are two off-site properties, a build shop and warehouse, located in South Seattle. This role will be required for occasional off-site travel.

Position Overview

The Technical Director (TD) is a senior member of the Production Department, reporting to the Director of Production. This role supports directors’ and designers’ visions within the allotted time, budget, and scope, while managing the technical staff and maintaining high values of artistic excellence; equity, diversity, and inclusion; and fiscal responsibility. The Technical Director requires expertise across all technical theater disciplines, along with proven experience working with and leading theatrical unions.

A successful candidate will first and foremost be a good manager and a good leader. They will be able to identify problems early, anticipate and communicate potential challenges to key stakeholders, and seamlessly connect artistic vision with technical reality, designers with craftspeople, budgets with ambitions. This position is expected to lead through expertise while uplifting and empowering their team and making key decisions to keep the process moving.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Staff Management

• Model and support the mission and values of The 5th Avenue Theatre, fostering a work environment of artistic excellence, community, equity, diversity, inclusion, and fiscal responsibility

• Listen to competing agendas and needs, build consensus around shared priorities, and make decisive choices that align with the production’s overall vision and goals

• Lead and play an active role in hiring all technical staff, collaborating with appropriate union partners and other relevant leadership

• Supervise Associate Technical Director, Head Carpenter, Local 15 Department Heads, and Charge Scenic Artist. Provide leadership, coaching, and regular feedback through department meetings and individual check-ins

• Maintain and approve timesheets and payroll logistics, keeping current on contract changes affecting rates, special fees, or overtime escalations

• Ensure compliance with IATSE Local 15 CBA and collaborate with appropriate team leaders on compliance management for AEA, AFM, USA, SDC, and LORT/Actors Equity agreements

• Participate as management in IATSE Local 15 labor-management meetings and negotiations

• In partnership with HR and appropriate production team members, and enforce safety guidelines for all theatrical spaces, equipment, and staff; maintain Accident Prevention Program materials and schedule safety trainings.

Production Planning and Technical Direction

• Provide top line project management of all physical aspects of productions, ensuring show builds are on time and in budget while facilitating communication between creative teams and stakeholders

• Collaborate with designers and production staff to establish methods for design, engineering, construction, and procurement of scenic elements. Consult on issues and present budget options to support decision-making

• In collaboration with Director of Production, prepare season-wide planning for technical departments and supervise scheduling, accounting, purchasing and planning for all productions based on season calendar and available budgets

• Lead scenery design development and ensure on-time deliverables through design benchmarks

• Supervise all engineering and drafting, including ground plans, sections, rigging, and automation drawings in AutoCAD and PDF formats

• Analyze, design, engineer, and oversee technical solutions for scenic elements, automation, and rigging within industry safety standards

• Manage the technical department in procuring, creating, building, and maintaining technical elements for performance and rehearsal, and direct the safe and timely installation, strike and integration of all scenic, electric, sound, and video elements

• Determine build of new scenery, deployment of stock equipment, and acquisition of rental or purchased scenic elements based on season goals and in consultation with Director of Production

• Communicate project information within the department and among production department managers, maintaining show files and institutional documentation

• Attend production meetings, run throughs, tech rehearsals, previews, and note sessions

• Provide technical support for in-house functions, special events, and education events as necessary

Budget Management and Operations

• Estimate and track labor and material costs for productions based on designer drawings, advise Production Management of potential financial consequences of proposed changes, and present budget options to assist in decision-making

• Exercise fiscal responsibility and accountability in purchasing decisions

• Project and manage expenses on a per-show basis while analyzing and monitoring budgets

• Monitor payroll records, labor budgets, and work schedules for IATSE stagehands and supervise load-in, technical rehearsals, and performance work schedules for all technical staff

Essential Knowledge and Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position will possess most of these skills and qualifications, or relevant experience and achievements to help them meet needs of the role.

Experience and Education

• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in theatrical technical direction

• Demonstrated success in fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment with dedication to creative processes and commitment to working with individuals and teams from diverse backgrounds

• Demonstrated leadership, supervision, and project management experience with strong skills in personnel management and designer collaboration

• Demonstrated experience in developing, managing, and tracking production budgets and labor estimates to keep projects within acceptable timeframe, budget, and scope

• Proven experience leading and working with IATSE crews and within an organization where multiple unions are represented

• Deep knowledge of IATSE collective bargaining agreements and working knowledge of AFM, USA, SDC, AEA and LORT collective bargaining agreements

Technical Skills and Knowledge

• In-depth, hands-on experience and knowledge of modern stage technology and procedures including rigging, stage automation systems, and scenic construction

• General knowledge of all theater crafts – sound, lighting, props, scenic painting, video, costumes, wardrobe and wigs

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in theatrical structural design and engineering

• Experience planning and directing the safe and timely integration of all technical elements, working with departments on space needs and providing clear communication on challenges

• Superior skills using AutoCAD and Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) on a PC

• Advanced skills in using and creating spreadsheets and internet collaboration tools

• Excellent computer skills with experience in management training, project estimating, and project accounting

Management and Communication

• Experience in project coordination, resource management, staff recruitment and training, meeting facilitation, budgeting, and safety compliance

• Skill and experience in creative problem solving to meet artistic needs within time and financial requirements

• Capability to balance scale and scope of productions and negotiate design elements to fit within labor and resource budgets
• Ability to read scripts and assess requirements regarding staffing, budgeting and design

• Experience with managing safety plans and knowledge of current best health and safety practices

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail and collaborative correspondence instincts

• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, and diplomacy skills in relationships with designers, directors, staff, and patrons

• Highly developed organizational skills and ability to keep multiple projects moving forward simultaneously while exercising good judgment and discretion

• Ability to manage shifting and competing priorities, work independently, and maintain a positive attitude

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills while working well under pressure and maintaining calm demeanor in face of unexpected challenges

• Strong passion to drive high quality results in both final product and process

• Experience and commitment to working with individuals and teams across lines of difference such as race, gender-identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class and immigrant status

• Ability to analyze and understand issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to climb ladders and stairs frequently, including accessing catwalks, grid spaces, and fly systems in a historic, multi-level facility without elevator access in all areas, occasionally in varied sound and lighting.
• Capacity to push, pull, lift, or carry up to 30 pounds independently, and occasionally heavier items with assistance.
• Comfort working at heights, including operating in elevated areas such as scaffolding or genie lifts.
• Ability to stand, crouch, bend, or kneel for extended periods during load-ins, load-outs, and builds.
• Manual dexterity and grip strength sufficient to safely and effectively use power tools, hand tools, rigging equipment, and very small objects such as screws, clips, wire connectors, and hardware components.
• Tactile and visual acuity to distinguish lighting, wiring, color coding, and read technical drawings and digital displays in low-light or high-glare backstage environments.
• Ability to perform administrative tasks using a computer, including typing, using design and scheduling software, and communicating via email. This includes sitting at a desk or workstation for extended periods, viewing a computer screen, and using a keyboard and mouse with regular hand and wrist motion.

Additional Benefits:

The 5th Avenue Theatre employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, & Vision package; Sick, Personal, & Vacation time; paid holidays, commuter benefits (Orca Card and reduced-price parking); Life and Disability Insurance; enrollment option in the company’s 401(k) retirement plan and tax-advantage savings accounts; complimentary performance tickets.

Additional Requirements:

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background and reference checks.

To Apply:

Please send a resume, cover letter, and three references to careers@5thavenue.org, with the subject line Technical Director.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.