Technical Director, Exploration Theater

Arizona State University • Tempe, AZ

9d • $57,900 - $72,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Manage the operations, programming, and strategic administration of the Marston Exploration Theater within the School of Earth and Space Exploration. Oversee a state-of-the-art theater featuring advanced 4K projection and 3D stereographic visualization technologies that support Earth and space science education, research, and public outreach. Direct the planning and execution of 350–450 annual events of varying complexity, including academic classes, lectures, performances, receptions, meetings, festivals, and community engagement programs. Supervise and mentor 4–8 student employees and co-supervise an additional 4–8 student workers, ensuring effective facility operations, exceptional visitor experiences, and high-quality science communication and educational programming.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally, read, write, see and hear to perform essential functions.

Nice To Haves

• Extensive experience managing educational and public outreach facilities, including oversight of daily operations, strategic planning, scheduling, and visitor engagement programs.
• Demonstrated success in science communication and public engagement through the development and delivery of programs in Earth, planetary, and space sciences for various audiences.
• Proven ability to supervise, train, and mentor student employees and volunteers, fostering professional development and high-quality program support.
• Strong organizational, event management, and project coordination skills, with experience planning and supporting hundreds of annual events, including lectures, performances, classes, field trips, and special programs.
• Experience managing budgets, revenue-generating initiatives, ticketing operations, and operational resources while ensuring fiscal responsibility and program sustainability.
• Knowledge of theater, audiovisual, and educational technologies, with the ability to coordinate technical operations and support engaging public experiences.
• Skilled at building collaborative partnerships with faculty, staff, community organizations, and external stakeholders to advance educational and outreach objectives.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining high standards of operational efficiency, customer service, and program quality.

Responsibilities

• Manage scheduling, preparation, and maintenance of outreach facilities including the Marston Exploration Theater, Gallery of Scientific Exploration, and ancillary shared use facilities.
• Manage a “facility use by others” program by facilitating events by other ASU and community users of SESE managed spaces.
• Develop and deliver compelling programs available to the public related to space and technology themes.
• Recruit and train student workers as theater technicians and science communication presenters.
• Maintain budget(s) associated with managed facilities and programs, including revenue from ticket sales and program fees and facility recharge as well as expenses associated with student labor, equipment maintenance and content development.
• With other department coordinators, execute a top-level K-12 field trip program by leveraging SESE’s unique research focus to inspire school aged youth.
• Maintain collegial and collaborative relationships with other ASU departments as a learning resource and as a tour destination for ASU visitors and guests.
• Maintain specialized presentation and display technologies for Gallery devices and the Marston Theater 3D ‘planetarium’ system.
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally, read, write, see and hear to perform essential functions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level