Technical Director, Events Management & Facilities Rental

Overview

The Technical Director leads all technical operations and production support for events and performances across FIT's event venues. This role oversees lighting, audio, video, rigging, staging, and projection systems to ensure high-quality, safe, and professional production outcomes for academic programs, institutional events, rentals, and special initiatives.

Location: New York, NY Category: Professional / Administrator

• Lead and oversee all technical operations for FIT-supported events, including lighting, audio, video, rigging, staging, and projection systems.
• Provide technical direction and real-time problem solving throughout planning, rehearsal, live production, and strike phases.
• Ensure consistent production quality across academic events, performances, ceremonies, fashion shows, conferences, and rentals.
• Consult with internal and external clients to assess production scope, recommend venue usage, and define technical requirements.
• Lead and participate in pre-production meetings to align technical plans, schedules, staffing, and budgets.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact during live events, including escalation and issue resolution.
• Supervise full-time staff, supervisors, freelance technicians, and student employees.
• Develop and manage event staffing schedules to ensure appropriate coverage and labor alignment.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate staff and student technicians, reinforcing safety standards and professional practices.
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and inspection of technical systems and event spaces.
• Manage inventories, preventative maintenance, repairs, and equipment upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, safety regulations, and industry standards.
• Provide technical planning input, cost estimates, and operational guidance in support of EMFR leadership.
• Improve operational workflows, documentation, and standard operating procedures.
• Monitor event execution to ensure timelines, budgets, and customer expectations are met.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Technical Theatre, Production Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in technical direction, production supervision, or live event operations.
• Demonstrated expertise in lighting, audio, video, rigging, and projection systems.
• Proven supervisory experience with professional staff, freelance crews, and/or student employees.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as required by event schedules.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Technical Theatre, Arts Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in a university, performing arts, or large-scale event environment.
• Experience mentoring student technicians in an educational setting.
• Professional affiliations (e.g., USITT, IATSE, AEA) or a strong NYC technical production network.
• Experience managing complex, multi-venue event operations in an urban environment.

• Knowledge of professional event production environments and technical systems, including lighting, audio, video, projection, rigging, and staging across multi-venue operations.
• Knowledge of end-to-end production workflows, including pre-production planning, live event execution, post-event strike, and operational evaluation.
• Knowledge of safety regulations, institutional policies, and industry standards applicable to live events, technical production, and facilities operations.
• Technical leadership skills to plan, coordinate, and oversee complex event productions involving multiple stakeholders, venues, and concurrent priorities.
• Supervisory and mentoring skills to lead professional staff, freelance technicians, and student employees, including performance oversight and staff development.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to effectively partner with internal departments, external clients, vendors, and technical teams.
• Advanced problem-solving and decision-making abilities to resolve technical and operational issues in fast-paced, live event environments.
• Ability to manage multiple events, resources, and staffing demands simultaneously while maintaining production quality, safety, timelines, and customer satisfaction.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and to meet the physical and situational demands associated with overseeing live event operations.

Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary: $105,000 - $130,000 per year; commensurate with experience and qualifications. Hiring Salary: $105,000 per year with step increments after one year of service and annually thereafter.

Work Schedule: Days/

Hours:

M-F, 9am-5pm, in person; work schedule subject to change based on needs of the department.

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs…