Lead Event Technical Director

Lead Event Technical Director

Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) has been the cultural cornerstone of Nashville since 1980. Operating four major performance venues in the heart of downtown, TPAC presents a wide-ranging season of Broadway productions, curated dance, theatre, and family programming alongside the work of its three resident companies: Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, and Nashville Repertory Theatre.

TPAC is now planning its most significant chapter yet: a new state-of-the-art performing arts campus on Nashville's East Bank, which will dramatically expand the organization's capacity and reach over the next three years.

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.

Primary Responsibilities

• Management of Event Technical Directors
• Fosters a team-based culture focused on respect, communication, inclusivity, and collaboration.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for Event Technical Directors ensuring clarity of expectations and efficiency of workflow.
• Oversee scheduling and workload distribution, maintaining balanced staffing across all venues.
• Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins, mid-year check-ins, and annual evaluations to support staff growth and long-term retention.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, and training for new employees.
• Address employee relations concerns in conjunction with Director of Production, SVP of Operations, and Human Resources team as necessary.
• May serve as the primary point of contact for Broadway show arrivals, ensuring local prep meets the rigorous demands of National Touring standards.

Event and Client Coordination

• Serve as the primary technical liaison for assigned events, coordinating schedules, technical logistics, equipment usage, and load-in/load-out operations.
• Prior to load-in, thoroughly review advance details and technical notes to create an actionable plan in conjunction with technical operations team and external clients.
• Provide real-time problem-solving during rehearsals and performances, maintaining calm, professional communication under pressure.
• Oversee preparation and restoration of spaces for all scheduled events.

Carpentry, Rigging, & Stage Operations

• Lead and participate in scenic construction, stage builds, rigging installations, fly rail operation, soft goods, and automation elements as needed.
• Inspect and approve all flown elements, chain hoists, truss configurations, ground support systems, and scenic installation to ensure compliance with industry safety standards.
• Maintain constant, professional, and solution-focused communication with crew members, visiting productions, and internal departments.
• Support event-related department head responsibilities that may include stage management, lighting, audio, carpentry, or other areas of support as needed.
• Serve as a department lead in the audio and lighting departments as needed.

Administration and Reporting

• 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.

Crew Supervision and Safety

• 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.

Facility & Equipment Management

• 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.

The responsibilities listed above are not all inclusive. Other related duties may be assigned.

Skills and Knowledge

Required:

• 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.

Preferred:

• 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.

Software and Services Used:

• ADP Workforce Now, Microsoft Suite, Concur, Momentus Elite, Connecteam

Frequent Functions and Working Conditions:

• Standing and being stationary for long periods of time. Pushing/pulling. Ascending and Descending flights of stairs and ladders. Face to face contact. Working in the dark with loud noises and flashing lights. Basic math skills. Analysis, problem solving/decision making. Lifting and moving equipment up to 50 lbs.

Occasional Functions include:

• Bending and Stooping. Ability to work outside in all weather conditions including hot and cold temperatures. Working at a high elevation.

TPAC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All aspects of the employment process will be merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, military service status, citizenship or other protected characteristics.