Job Summary

The Event Production & Technical Manager is responsible for overseeing professional and student staff while providing support in the planning, coordination, preparation, and execution of all production aspects in the Lorton Performance Center (LPC); including, but not limited to, load-in, setup, rehearsal, performance, and load-out of the numerous events and productions at LPC. This position coordinates with various departments, producers, directors, and professional clients in all theatrical and technical scheduling, production advancement, technical direction, and traditional theatrical production management duties.

This position provides leadership and technical oversight for events occurring across all university event spaces. This includes responsibility for audiovisual systems, staging, lighting, sound reinforcement, rigging (as applicable), and other event-related technologies to ensure safe, effective, and high-quality event execution. The Manager establishes and enforces technical and safety standards, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and industry best practices for equipment use, crowd management, and risk mitigation.

The role also oversees and supports the technical setup, operation, and teardown of events across campus, coordinating with Campus Services, Facilities Management, Campus Security, and external vendors as needed. This includes evaluating event needs, managing technical logistics, and ensuring appropriate staffing, equipment deployment, and operational readiness for a wide range of university functions.

In addition to theatrical and campus-wide event responsibilities, the Manager is accountable for the LPC budget, staffing, patron and staff safety, and overall theatrical facilities management at LPC.

Essential Functions (Responsibilities)

• Oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of all technical and production aspects for events and performances within the Lorton Performance Center (LPC) and across other university event spaces.
• Provides leadership and supervision to full-time staff, graduate assistants, and student employees; develops schedules to ensure appropriate staffing levels for all events and operations.
• Designs, implements, and maintains repertory lighting plots, line-set schedules, and other technical systems; engineers and oversees additional installations as required.
• Coordinates and executes event production elements including load-in, setup, rehearsal support, performance operations, and load-out across multiple campus venues.
• Ensures all events are properly staffed, equipped, and executed in accordance with event requirements, timelines, and university standards.
• Oversees audiovisual systems and event technologies, including sound reinforcement, lighting, projection, staging, and related equipment; ensures proper setup, operation, and teardown.
• Establishes and enforces technical, operational, and safety standards for all production activities, ensuring compliance with institutional policies, fire/life safety codes, and industry best practices.
• Conducts risk assessments for events and technical operations; coordinates with Campus Security, Facilities Management, and other departments to ensure safe event environments.
• Develops and delivers training programs for student staff, particularly those without theatrical or technical experience, ensuring competency in equipment use, safety procedures, and event support.
• Collaborates with university departments, including the School of Music and Film Studies, to support performances, academic programming, and audiovisual needs.
• Provides technical consultation and production support to students, faculty, staff, and external clients for events and performances.
• Manages the LPC operating budget and oversees production-specific budgets; monitors expenditures and ensures responsible fiscal stewardship.
• Plans for and manages theatrical and event technology upgrades, including capital equipment replacement, lifecycle planning, and procurement coordination.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs theatrical and event-related equipment, including lighting systems (moving and conventional fixtures), rigging systems, and special effects equipment.
• Ensures all required inspections, certifications, and preventative maintenance for theatrical systems, rigging, and technical equipment are completed and documented.
• Produces technical drawings and documentation using industry-standard software (e.g., WYSIWYG or similar platforms).
• Programs and operates lighting control systems (e.g., ETC Eos) and other show control technologies as required.
• Maintains current knowledge of live event production trends, emerging technologies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards; integrates best practices into operations.
• Serves as venue manager for LPC, ensuring facility readiness, operational efficiency, and a high standard of service for internal and external clients.
• Coordinates with Campus Services, Facilities Management, and external vendors to support events across campus, including logistics, equipment deployment, and operational needs.
• Provides hands-on technical support as needed, functioning in roles such as technical manager, production manager, house manager, lighting designer, audio engineer, operator, fly operator, or stage supervisor based on event requirements and staffing levels.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in live event and theatrical production, including venue management, lighting design, production management, technical direction, house management, staging, theatrical carpentry, and rigging systems.
• Proven ability to lead and manage multiple concurrent events and productions in a fast-paced, high-demand environment with competing priorities.
• Experience training, supervising, and developing student staff and entry-level personnel in technical production, event operations, and safety procedures.
• Proficiency with industry-standard production technologies and software, including lighting control systems (e.g., ETC Eos), drafting/rendering tools (e.g., WYSIWYG, AutoCAD), and audiovisual systems (sound, projection, staging, and related technologies).
• Working knowledge of audiovisual systems design, setup, operation, and troubleshooting across a variety of event environments beyond traditional theatrical spaces.
• Strong understanding of theatrical rigging systems, stage operations, and equipment maintenance, including the ability to identify safety risks and ensure proper use.
• Knowledge of applicable safety standards, fire/life safety codes, OSHA guidelines, and industry best practices related to live event production and facility operations.
• Ability to conduct risk assessments and implement safety protocols for events, including coordination with campus partners such as Facilities Management and Campus Security.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and ability to utilize scheduling, event management, or work order systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders including students, faculty, staff, external clients, and union personnel (e.g., IATSE).
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and coordinate cross-functional work across departments and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills with a high level of attention to detail; ability to prioritize effectively, meet deadlines, and manage complex logistics.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing event needs, timelines, and operational challenges while maintaining composure and professionalism.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality customer service and ensuring a positive experience for internal and external clients.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and conflict resolution skills in dynamic, service-oriented environments.
• Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, based on event schedules and operational needs.
• Experience managing budgets, including forecasting, expense tracking, and capital equipment planning.
Experience supporting large-scale or campus-wide events across multiple venues.

Equivalent Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Theatre, Theatre Production, Entertainment Technology, Event Production, Arts Administration, Facilities Management, Audio Engineering, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education, professional training, certifications, and progressively responsible leadership experience in theatrical production, technical direction, venue management, live event operations, or performing arts administration may be considered in lieu of certain educational requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree requirement may be waived with a minimum of ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional experience in technical direction, production management, venue operations, event services, or performing arts leadership.
• Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in theatrical production, venue management, event operations, or technical services required, including demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience overseeing complex live productions, campus-wide event operations, multi-venue scheduling, and technical event support in higher education, performing arts centers, convention centers, arenas, or similar environments strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing professional staff, student employees, production crews, contractors, vendors, and external clients in a dynamic, service-oriented environment required.
• Demonstrated experience managing departmental budgets, production budgets, capital equipment planning, and operational resources required.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing audiovisual systems, theatrical lighting, rigging systems, production technologies, and event safety/risk mitigation practices required.
• Experience developing operational procedures, technical standards, staffing models, and safety protocols for event and production environments preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with senior leadership, faculty, students, external clients, community partners, and cross-functional university departments required.
Equivalent professional experience in higher education, performing arts venues, convention centers, touring productions, broadcast environments, or comparable entertainment and event industries may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Production, Technical Theatre, Event Production, Entertainment Technology, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of progressive experience in theatrical production, live event management, or venue operations, preferably in a higher education or multi-venue environment.
• Experience providing technical oversight for events across multiple venues or a campus-wide event portfolio.
• Demonstrated experience managing operating and production budgets, including forecasting, cost control, and capital equipment planning.
• Experience with advanced audiovisual systems integration, including digital audio consoles, video switching, projection mapping, and network-based AV systems.
• Professional certifications or specialized training in rigging, safety, or production (e.g., ETCP Rigging Certification, OSHA 10/30, First Aid/CPR/AED certification).
• Experience working in union environments (e.g., IATSE) and coordinating with contracted labor.
• Proficiency with additional industry-standard software (e.g., Vectorworks, QLab, Dante, event management platforms such as EMS, Ad Astra, or similar scheduling systems).
• Experience supporting large-scale, high-profile, or externally facing events (e.g., concerts, conferences, rentals, or broadcast productions).
• Experience developing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and technical documentation for event operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex stakeholder relationships in a service-oriented environment.
• Experience in capital project planning, including facility upgrades, renovations, or new system installations.
• Crowd Control Certification.
CPR / AED Certification.

Special Job Dimensions

• Position requires a flexible work schedule, including frequent evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays, based on event and production schedules; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Work is performed in a variety of environments, including theatrical venues, event spaces, outdoor locations, and active construction or installation sites.
• Position requires the ability to work at heights (60+ feet) using ladders, catwalks, fly systems, and personnel lifts (e.g., scissor lifts, boom lifts) in accordance with safety standards.
• Requires the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis, and occasionally more with assistance.
• Involves extended periods of standing, walking, climbing, bending, and working in physically demanding environments during event setup, execution, and teardown.
• Exposure to moderate noise levels, theatrical effects (e.g., haze, fog), stage lighting, and varying environmental conditions (including heat and cold in certain venues or outdoor settings).
• Requires the ability to safely operate and oversee the use of technical equipment, including lighting, rigging, audio/visual systems, and staging components.
• Position carries significant responsibility for safety and risk mitigation, requiring constant situational awareness and adherence to institutional policies, safety protocols, and industry standards.
• Must be able to effectively supervise and train student staff, including those with little to no prior technical experience, demonstrating patience, professionalism, and a commitment to learning and development.
• Requires the ability to manage high-pressure, time-sensitive situations while maintaining professionalism, sound judgment, and effective decision-making.
May require appropriate certifications or the ability to obtain and maintain certifications related to job duties (e.g., lift operation, fall protection, CPR/AED/First Aid).

Disclaimer

The essential functions, responsibilities, qualifications, and special job dimensions described in this document are intended to convey the general nature, scope, and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, working conditions, or physical requirements associated with the position.

Due to the dynamic and event-driven nature of university operations, the duties, responsibilities, and activities of this position may vary based on operational needs, event schedules, institutional priorities, emergencies, and evolving technologies or regulatory requirements. Employees may be required to perform additional job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

This position requires flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing operational demands, production requirements, staffing needs, and organizational priorities. Significant changes in assigned responsibilities or scope of work may result in revisions to this job description.

The University reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in a manner consistent with institutional needs, operational objectives, and applicable policies and regulations.