Technical Director
Job Description

Job Classification: Exempt and Full-Time
Reports to: Director of Production and Venue Operations
Scheduling: Varies based on production and performance schedule

Job Overview:

Chelsea Factory is looking to engage a Technical Director who will collaborate with creative, administrative, and production teams to lead and direct all technical elements for the venue’s programming. The Technical Director also leads all crew calls, and will possess strong leadership skills and a willingness to train and teach. Reporting to the Director of Production and Venue Operations, the Technical Director should be experienced with all aspects of production and be comfortable making decisions where required, applying excellent judgment and project management skills to all activities.

The Technical Director will be primarily responsible for maintaining Chelsea Factory's rep systems in lighting, audio, and video. The position will also be in charge of providing seamless transitions of the space configuration between the various types of programming - from ambitious artistic projects to corporate rental events. This includes strategizing and directing crew to deploy large mobile seating units, assemble sprung dance floor panels and lay/clean marley, hang and strike soft goods, and maintain clean and organized designated storage areas. Chelsea Factory does not have a scene shop and does not do in house builds. For incoming shows with scenic elements, the Technical Director works with the Director of Production to determine feasibility of scope and strategy for installation.

The successful candidate will have enthusiasm, optimism, and curiosity for reimagining Chelsea Factory’s theatrical space configuration and technical capabilities on a weekly basis for a wide range of artistic projects and events. The candidate must have a passion for production and demonstrate a willingness to learn new things. Chelsea Factory’s team is small and nimble with a can-do attitude and entrepreneurial spirit. A sense of humor, humility, and commitment to promoting a positive work environment is essential.

The Technical Director will be expected to uphold the mission of Chelsea Factory and its commitment to being an anti-racist organization. Chelsea Factory is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and welcomes candidates who have demonstrable experience advocating for historically excluded communities. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the performing arts field are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Responsibilities: (Please apply even if you may need additional training in one of these areas.)

Venue Management

  • Maintain Chelsea Factory’s repertory lighting, audio, and video systems

  • Lead all crew calls

  • Maintain all rep technical drawings of space, making updates as necessary

  • Maintain clean and functional performance spaces as well as keep inventories for all equipment and tools and gear

  • Supervise safe operating procedures for venue

  • Secure necessary and relevant fireguard/pyro certifications for operating a performing arts venue within three months of hire

Audio

  • Develop and maintain strong understanding of our rep system’s signal flow, patching, and troubleshooting 

  • Integrate outside audio rentals as necessary 

  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date understanding of Dante, digital audio, and QLab

Lighting

  • Maintain knowledge of all aspects of theatrical lighting technologies and experience with a variety of luminaires, dimming and power distribution systems, control systems, L.E.D technologies, and related electrical theory and practical skill

  • Read, edit, and draft plots in Vectorworks, knowledge of Lightwright is a bonus

Video

  • Manage and run QLab for Video

  • Responsible for connecting and running the house projectors

Administrative

  • Coordinate and implement changeover, load in, load out, and restore plans between the different activities in the space

  • Attend and contribute to all production meetings with Chelsea Factory Staff and Artistic partners; Maintain open communication with all staff and partners as needed

  • Assist in the hiring and training of run, install, and build crew as needed


Qualifications :

  • 3+ years experience in theatrical or event production with artists and technicians of all disciplines

  • Experience in all aspects of live performance production and entertainment technology

  • Excitement and willingness to participate in achieving Chelsea Factory’s artistic goals by providing consistent and high-quality production support.

  • Strong leadership skills

  • Spirit of collaboration and cooperation; an entrepreneurial mindset with an ability to develop creative solutions to production challenges

  • Aptitude and willingness to brainstorm creative strategies for productions and events still in their concept and development phase

  • Ability to work a flexible schedule including some nights, weekends, and holidays

Salary and Benefits:

  • Exempt Salary of $85,000

  • Paid Holidays

  • Comprehensive Insurance Coverage

  • Generous Paid Time Off

To Apply:

  • Please submit a brief cover letter with a short description of a challenging project you worked on that brought you joy in the end. If written word is not your best means of self expression, please feel free to create an audio description, video recording, or any other mode of communication that is comfortable for you. 

  • Materials should be sent as PDFs with your name in title of file (e.g. “Johnny Lawrence - Resume”)

  • Email your materials to jobs@chelseafactory.org with Technical Director in the subject line

Applications will be accepted through December 7, 2022; Initial outreach will begin the week of Nov 28, 2022.

Chelsea Factory is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to hire staff members who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. All positions at Chelsea Factory are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, employment status, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Chelsea Factory makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities to enable them to perform all essential job functions. All are encouraged to apply.