A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
The Technical Manager for the Department of Fine & Performing Arts provides leadership and supervision for all technical operations in performing arts spaces. This role ensures the safe, efficient, and creative execution of scenery, lighting, audio, projection, and special effects for theatre, dance, and music productions, concerts, and other departmental or university events.
The Technical Director also supports community and external renters, including managing technical needs such as lighting, sound, and student staffing. Working closely with faculty, staff, students, and guest artists, this position advances the department's educational mission while helping shape the future of scenic technology, backstage education, recruitment, and program growth in theatre and dance.
This position reports to the Chair of the Fine & Performing Arts Department.
Responsibilities*
30% Technical Production Leadership & Supervision
- Hire, schedule, supervise, and mentor student crews and staff in technical production, including scenery construction, rigging, lighting, audio, and stage management.
- Teach or assist in teaching technical theatre courses and production practicums; advise and mentor students on technical theatre topics.
- Remain current on industry standards, technologies, and best practices, fostering a culture of professionalism and innovation.
30% Production Planning & Execution
- Interpret and execute scenic and lighting designs, including construction and installation planning; consult with designers, directors, and other stakeholders.
- Manage production budgets, schedules, and technical resources to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget.
- Coordinate technical production calendars, including scheduling the use of facilities and resources.
20% Facilities, Equipment & Safety Management
- Oversee the operation and maintenance of performing arts venues, including the 400-seat proscenium mainstage theatre, 50-seat flexible black box, dance studio, performance classroom, scene shop, and related equipment such as lighting, sound, projection, and rigging systems.
- Develop and enforce safety protocols and best practices in all technical production areas.
- Oversee purchasing, receiving, and inventory of technical production materials and supplies.
10% Collaboration, Events & External Support
- Collaborate with FPA department staff and faculty, as well as university facilities and operations, on shared-space maintenance, equipment purchasing and maintenance, renovations, and upgrades.
- Support additional departmental events and non-theatrical rentals as assigned.
10% Student Mentorship
- Mentor students in practical areas of scenic construction and technical direction. This mentoring can take many forms, but most important to this position is training and modeling best industry practices to maintain a culture of safety.
- Teach students safe operation of equipment and general safety procedures for the installation, rigging, operation, and striking of scenery
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in Technical Theatre, Theatre Production, or related field, or equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
- 3 or more years of professional technical theatre experience
- Proficiency in set construction techniques, lighting, audio, projection, rigging, and technical drafting (AutoCAD/Vectorworks/Sketchup).
- Knowledge of or experience with budgetary and project management
- Excellent communication and collaborative problem-solving abilities.
- Commitment to safe work practices and the educational mission of the university.
- Ability to work nights and weekends as needed by production schedules.
Essential Job Functions
- Safely operate an aerial lift as required to perform assigned duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Use required safety equipment and personal protective equipment, including a respirator when required.
- Complete required job-related training, certification, or physical examination for safe equipment operation.
- Perform physical tasks associated with technical production work, including lifting, carrying, bending, reaching, climbing, kneeling, and working in varied positions for extended periods, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Desired Qualifications*
- Previous experience in an educational setting strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor students with varying skill levels.
- Experience in lighting or sound design, and/or lighting and sound technology support for theatre, music events, and other public events
- Experience in audio recording and/or engineering
- MFA in Technical Theatre
Why Work at U-M Flint?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future.
Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions after 12 months of eligible service with immediate vesting.
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
Eligibility for benefits based on your job group, your appointment percentage and the length of your appointment. Learn more about employee benefits and eligibility from the UM Human Resources Benefits and Wellness webpage.
UM-Flint offers tuition support for eligible UM-Flint staff members. In addition, UM-Flint offers dependent tuition support (DTS) for qualified dependents of faculty and staff from all UM campuses. Information can be found at: https://www.umflint.edu/hr/benefits/.
Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: https://www.umflint.edu/chancellor/leadership-mission-vision/
Modes of Work
Hybrid:
The work requirements allow both onsite and offsite work and an employee has an expected recurring onsite presence. On occasion, the employee may be required and must be available to work onsite more frequently if necessitated by unit leadership or their designee and/or the job requirements.
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes here.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
