Technical Director/Shop Manager

Staff Technical Director/Shop Manager

Full Time/On-Ground

The USC School of Dramatic Arts seeks an experienced, full-time Technical Director/Shop Manager to join its Production team in the Technical Theatre Lab (TTL). We are looking for an energetic and collaborative colleague who brings a professional, rigorous approach to technical theatre production within a dynamic educational environment that presents multiple productions annually.

Reporting primarily to the Production Manager, the Technical Director/Shop Manager will demonstrate a proven ability to set priorities, manage complex projects, and work with a high degree of independence while exercising sound judgment. The successful candidate must thrive in a fast-paced environment, effectively balancing multiple projects and deadlines while supervising and mentoring staff and student workers, particularly during peak production periods.

The Technical Director/Shop Manager plays a critical role in supporting the realization of theatrical productions in a multi-stage, multi-use environment and in bringing academically driven student scenic designs to life. This position oversees the operation and maintenance of technical theatre facilities, supervises staff and student employees, enforces safety policies, and collaborates closely with faculty, guest artists, and student designers throughout the production process.

The Technical Director/Shop Manager leads the planning, construction, installation, maintenance, and strike of scenic elements for departmental productions, ensuring that all work is structurally sound, code-compliant, and completed within established schedules and budgets. Serving as the department’s primary technical liaison for scenic production, the position provides expertise in engineering solutions, construction methods, materials selection, scheduling, and resource allocation, translating artistic concepts into practical and safe technical execution.

Equally important, this role is responsible for maintaining a safe learning and working environment within the Technical Theatre Lab and performance spaces. The Technical Director/Shop Manager oversees equipment maintenance and inspections, administers safety training programs, and ensures compliance with OSHA regulations, fire codes, university policies, and industry best practices.

While academic credentials are desirable, professional experience is also important. Applications should include a cover letter describing the candidate's qualifications for the position, curriculum vitae including 5-10 images of past work, and the contact information for three references.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse population of faculty, staff, students, guest artists, and facility users.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to safely lift, move, and transport theatrical materials, tools, and equipment weighing up to 99 pounds.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding, and to safely work from personnel lifts, catwalks, and other elevated work areas.
• Ability to safely work in low-light and backstage production environments.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate departmental vehicles in accordance with university policies.
• Proficiency in digital fabrication technologies and related software, including CNC routers, laser cutters, 3D printers, AutoCAD, Vectorworks, and 3D modeling applications.
• Demonstrated ability to translate scenic design concepts and drawings into accurate construction drawings and technical documentation.
• Knowledge of scenic engineering principles, theatrical rigging systems, stagecraft practices, and scenic construction techniques.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, workplace safety standards, and risk management practices applicable to theatre production environments.
• Ability to train, supervise, and mentor student workers in technical theatre practices and safe work procedures.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Supervises the work of staff and student employees engaged in scenic construction and technical theatre operations.
• Develops and delivers training for staff and student workers in scenic construction techniques, tool and equipment operation, theatrical rigging, automation systems, and shop safety procedures.
• Oversees the daily operation of the TTL, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to established policies and procedures.
• Supervises the safe operation, maintenance, and inspection of scene shop tools, machinery, rigging systems, aerial lifts, and other technical equipment.
• Collaborates with student, faculty, and guest designers to evaluate, refine, and implement scenic designs that are artistically effective, technically feasible, and safe.
• Attends production meetings and serves as the primary technical resource for scenic implementation, communicating technical constraints, engineering solutions, scheduling considerations, and budget impacts.
• Produces or oversees the creation of construction drawings and technical documentation from design plans.
• Manages the budgeting, scheduling, construction, load-in, installation, maintenance, strike, and storage of scenery for departmental productions.
• Conducts safety assessments of scenic designs, construction methods, and installed environments to ensure structural integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Ensures completion of required safety training programs and enforces compliance with OSHA regulations, fire codes, university policies, and industry best practices.
• Maintains authority to halt unsafe work practices or production activities that pose a risk to personnel, facilities, or equipment.

Other Responsibilities

• Provides technical expertise and recommendations regarding the purchase, replacement, and upgrade of theatrical equipment, tools, and accessories.
• Maintains inventory control systems for equipment, tools, materials, and supplies used in theatre operations.
• Solicits quotes, negotiates pricing, and coordinates the procurement of equipment, materials, and supplies within approved budgets and university purchasing guidelines.
• Oversees the repair, maintenance, inspection, and modification of scene shop equipment and technical systems within theatre and performance spaces.
• Assists with long-range planning for facility improvements, equipment replacement, and capital projects related to technical theatre operations.
• Maintains records related to equipment inspections, maintenance schedules, safety.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Master’s degree in Theatre, Technical Theatre, Entertainment Technology, Engineering, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in technical direction, project management, and scenic construction for theatre, film/television, dance, concerts, themed entertainment, or other live events.
• Demonstrated professional experience serving as a Technical Director, Shop Manager, or in a comparable leadership role within theatrical production, higher education, or related entertainment industries.
• Experience managing complex production schedules, coordinating multiple stakeholders, and delivering projects on time and within budget.
• ETCP (Entertainment Technician Certification Program) certification, training, or demonstrated knowledge of entertainment industry safety standards.
• OSHA safety training, certification, or equivalent experience implementing workplace safety programs.
• Experience with theatrical automation systems, rigging systems, rigging inspections, and engineering analysis for scenic and stage systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing production budgets, procurement processes, inventory systems, and equipment maintenance programs.
• Experience working in an educational or training environment, including supervising, mentoring, and instructing students, apprentices, or early-career theatre professionals.
• Proficiency with digital drafting, design, and fabrication technologies, including AutoCAD, Vectorworks, CNC routers, laser cutters, 3D printers, and 3D modeling software.
• Knowledge of current theatrical construction methods, materials, fabrication techniques, and industry best practices.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate artistic vision into practical, safe, and effective technical solutions.

Additional Information:

This position is required to work evenings and weekends depending upon the production schedule. Regular work hours during the production season are Monday through

Friday 9:30am to 5:30pm, though subject to change as necessary.

The compensation range for this position is $86,000.00 to $100,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The University reserves the right to add or change responsibilities at any time.

The USC School of Dramatic Arts (SDA), founded in 1945, is recognized internationally as a leader in theatre education and its application to stage, screen, and other industries. The School offers innovative programs and curricula in acting, musical theatre, directing, playwriting, critical studies, costume design, scenic design, lighting design, sound design, stage management and creator arts. With a faculty of dramatic artists working at the highest level of their profession, the School offers BA, BFA and MFA degrees and has an active production program of more than 20 shows with a population of more than 600 undergraduate and graduate students combined. SDA’s headquarters are located in the heart of USC’s beautiful University Park Campus, housed in the Dick Wolf Drama Center, which anchor’s the University’s performing arts corridor (Thornton School of Music, Kaufman School of Dance, and the School of Cinematic Arts).

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which comprises the faculty, students and staff that make the university what it is. USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

The university is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, employees, volunteers, and visitors on our campuses and those entrusted to our care, including patients, students, and minors. To that end, the university conducts background screening, including screening for criminal convictions, on all applicants after a conditional offer of employment and as a condition of employment. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix C for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative

USC and SDA are committed to fostering an environment that embraces our USC’s Unifying Core Values and seeks candidates that demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to these objectives.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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