Lead Event Technical Director

Tennessee Performing Arts Center Management Corp•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Lead Event Technical Director is a key member of TPAC’s Production team, responsible for leading technical operations and ensuring the safe, efficient, and professional execution across TPAC venues. This role requires advanced skill and hands-on experience in theatrical carpentry, rigging, and stage operations with a strong focus on crew leadership, client interaction, and safety compliance. Working closely with visiting productions, internal departments, and local crews, the Lead Event Technical Director develops and oversee technical schedules that prioritize human relations, ensuring adequate rest periods between shifts and minimizing consecutive long-day cycles to maintain crew safety, work-life balance, and morale. The Lead TD will act as a bridge to advocate for sustainable work hours, including a commitment to a projected monthly overtime cap of 20 hours for all TDs, including this Lead TD role. This position oversees technical logistics, verifies scenic and rigging integrity, and ensures all backstage operations reflect TPAC’s core values. Serves as lead in audio and electrical departments for up to 10%-15% of annual work schedule (approximately 200-300 annual hours). Lead TD must demonstrate system level proficiency in theatrical power distribution and digital audio networking. The Event Technical Directors will report directly to the Lead Event Technical Director.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent experience) in one of the following fields: Technical Theatre / Theatre Production Theatre Technology or Design Stage Lighting / Sound / Production Design Theatre Arts with technical concentration
3 to 5 years of supervisory experience of a 7-to-10-person technical staff.
Experience managing union crews, and interpreting collective bargaining agreements, is required.
Flexible full-time availability, including evening, weekend, and possible holiday hours.
Demonstrated knowledge/ expertise in theatrical carpentry and rigging (minimum of 3 years of professional experience).
Proven hands-on expertise in both theatrical audio systems and lighting/electrical systems, including system design, installation, operation, and troubleshooting.
Knowledge of rigging hardware, load limits, bridles, truss, and fly systems.
Daily email access.
Consistent professional and neat presentation.
Customer service experience.
Ability to work well in a group.
Ability to solve problems and remain calm in stressful situations.
Clear, calm, communication.
Leadership & authority without ego.
Collaboration & artistic empathy.
Emotional intelligence & conflict management.
Organizational maturity & big-picture thinking.
Teaching, mentorship and staff development.
Professional judgement & discretion.
Adaptability & change management.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a Broadway touring house, regional theatre, or performing arts venue.
ETCP or comparable rigging certifications (arena or theatre).
Advanced knowledge of lighting, audio, or stage management.
Forklift, aerial lift, or OSHA safety certifications.
First Aid/CPR certified; bilingual a plus.

Responsibilities

Management of Event Technical Directors:
Serve as the primary technical liaison for assigned events, coordinating schedules, technical logistics, equipment usage, and load-in/load-out operations.
Lead and participate in scenic construction, stage builds, rigging installations, fly rail operation, soft goods, and automation elements as needed.
Prepare accurate post-event billing including labor and equipment charges.
Document pre and post event notes, maintenance logs, and incident reports.
Attend organization-wide, departmental, and advance meetings as required.
Respond to internal and external communications in a timely, professional manner.
Communicate expectations clearly to all crew members at the start of each call, including safety priorities, workflow, and client-specific needs.
Act as crew lead or steward, assign tasks to stagehands ensuring efficient workflow.
Enforce TPAC’s safety protocols including fall protection, weight ratings, and emergency procedures.
Coordinate with building security and local authorities in emergency response or audience evacuation situations.
Primary manager of rigging and scenic maintenance projects year-round.
Primary manager of backstage workspaces, technical systems, tools, and inventory. Proactively identify and complete repair or improvement projects.
Assist with identifying long-term planning for technical equipment upgrades and capital improvements.