Technical Director - Pittsburgh CLO

The Pittsburgh CLO is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to the preservation, creation and promotion of the American musical theater art form, the furnishing of arts education and providing meaningful community engagement opportunities in Western Pennsylvania and throughout the United States. 

Pittsburgh CLO is seeking a dedicated, experienced, performing arts professional to join our producing department as Technical Director. The Technical Director manages the Scenic and Paint departments, IATSE Construction Crew, and employees operating out of the Pittsburgh CLO Construction Center. They will oversee the execution of scenic designs from development through completion as well as outside rentals. This individual will work closely with the Production Manager, Shop Foreman, and Scenic Charge while taking lead of the technical drafting, construction, installation, maintenance, transfer of scenery (built, purchased, or rented) for all productions, education programs, and special events produced by Pittsburgh CLO.  
If you have a strong passion for the arts, we want to hear from you!  

What you’ll do:  

• Supervise all drafting including the preparation of ground plans and section of designer drawings, rigging, automation, technical drawings, and any other such drawing pertinent to the scenery, stages, or other performance locations in AutoCAD and PDF formats for use by technical, stage management, and creative staff. 

• Estimate and track labor and materials budgets for CLO productions, construction projects, and outside rentals; adjust and present options to designers to assist in the budget process. 

• Oversee client and internal communication and support; Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, ensuring prompt, clear, and professional communication throughout the entire project lifecycle. Address client inquiries, provide updates on progress, and resolve any issues related to set construction on rentals. 

• Create and draft construction drawings for Pittsburgh CLO sets that include how units are assembled, proposed hanging plot, and inventories. 

• Act as Production Lead for outside rentals; supervise the load-in and load-out at the venues. 

• Alongside the Production Manager, take an active role in communication with Designers, IATSE Stagehands, and CLO Management to ensure all departments are informed about scenic designs, changes, and scheduling for each production/project.  

• Supervise season-wide planning of Scenic and Paint department including space use, maintenance, capital acquisitions, and labor calendars.  

• Supervise the scheduling and purchasing for Scenic and Paint departments for all production and shop operations.  

• Lead the scenery design development process on schedule with design due dates.  

• Estimate and track labor and material costs for productions and advise Production Management of potential financial consequences of any proposed changes or alterations to technical plans.  

• Direct the Scenic department in construction, installation, strike, and transfer process for all productions beginning with early design consultations through completion of projects.  

• Attend production meetings, technical rehearsals, and note sessions as requested by Production Management.  

• Instruct the shop foreman on maintenance and organization for the Pittsburgh CLO Construction Center.  

• Work closely with design and creative teams for each production to present technical and artistic solutions to designs. 

• Coach, develop skills, and have regular feedback communication with Scenic and Paint department, IATSE Construction Crew, and employees of the Construction Center. 

• Meet regularly with individual team members to provide personalized guidance and support. 

• Maintain a safe and healthy work environment 

• Other duties as assigned to advance the mission of Pittsburgh CLO. 

• Minimum of three years of experience as a Technical Director working in professional theater; experience in repertory theater a plus.  

• Experience working with theatrical unions, call lists, crew scheduling, and payroll. 

• Demonstrated achievement with successfully developing, implementing, and managing budgets, production calendars and schedules.  

• A broad understanding of all aspects of technical theater. 

• Established relationships with professionals and designers in musical theater is a plus. 

• Experience working with AutoCAD and/or Vectorworks with the ability to read and create scenic construction drawings.  

• Demonstrated commitment to the training, mentorship and education of young theater and arts professionals. 
• Proper knowledge of, and experience working with all construction tools and equipment, including hand tools and shop machinery, and the ability to teach the crew safe and proper procedures and building techniques.

• Ability to foster a work environment that is safe, respectful, and supportive and that embodies the values of equity and inclusion. 

• Excellent leadership and communication skills (written and verbal). 

• The ability to manage shifting and competing priorities, exercise good judgment and discretion, while maintaining a positive attitude. 

• Valid Driver’s License.  

• A passion for musical theater is a plus. 

• Compensation at $70,000. 

• Full-time, exempt position with a dynamic organization and engaged team. 

• Full employer-paid benefits package (health, vision, dental, and life). Voluntary additional life and LTD available. 

• 403(b), 401(a), FSA, PTO, and select paid holidays. 

• Additional perks include free tuition for CLO Academy classes and free tickets to CLO productions. 

 
It is the continuing policy of Pittsburgh CLO to afford equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of their race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or family or parental status and to conform to all applicable laws and regulations to that regard. This policy of equal employment opportunity comprehends all aspects of the employment relationship, including application and initial employment, promotion and transfer, administration, and the application of service, retirement, seniority and employee benefit policies. 

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