Technical Director - St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Production
DIRECT REPORTS: Production Manager, Stage Crew (3 FT plus extras as needed)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Join the SLSO during one of the most thrilling times in the history of the orchestra as we return to the beautifully renovated Powell Hall for our 2025-2026 season. This is an opportunity to create a lasting impact on audiences and the St. Louis community.

The Technical Director, as part of the Artistic Operations team, oversees the stage crew and manages the technical execution of events in Powell Hall and off-site locations.  This includes overseeing the technical aspects of performances and events for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO), its various ensembles, and external clients. The role demands a deep understanding of music including familiarity with classical music, technical concert production, and the ability to lead and collaborate effectively in a union environment. The Technical Director will play a pivotal role in the orchestra's transition into the newly renovated Powell Hall, ensuring a seamless and successful experience for all stakeholders.

This is a high-energy, fast-paced position requiring strong planning and organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, and meticulous attention to detail.  Effective teamwork and leadership are essential for the success of this position. It requires the ability to maintain a positive work atmosphere through clear communication and interaction with a diverse range of individuals, including musicians, guest artists, co-workers, supervisors, customers, and vendors.

FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

• Manage the technical details of events, including activities of our resident ensembles (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Chorus, St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra), other internal constituent groups, non-orchestra presentations and hall rentals, as well as events outside of Powell Hall, such as local concerts, select Education/Community Partnerships and philanthropy events, ensuring the consistent implementation of SLSO production standards across all events.
• Maintain meticulous records of equipment inventories, venue technical specifications, stage layouts, and other essential production information including creating and distributing stage plots using AutoCAD.
• Supervise and lead the stage crew, including hiring, scheduling, training, performance evaluations, and ensuring adherence to collective-bargaining agreements with IATSE Local 6.
  --In coordination with Production Manager and Stage Manager, determine stagehand requirements for each event and relevant maintenance. Approve weekly timesheets.
  --Cultivate a positive and professional work environment among the stage crew and in all interactions with musicians, guest artists, co-workers, supervisors, customers, and vendors. Ensure the stage crew consistently demonstrates professionalism, productivity, and responsiveness at all times.
  --As engaged, perform above functions for projectionists under Local No. 143.

• Serve as the primary technical contact for external clients, ensuring their needs are met and technical requirements are fulfilled. Manage technical aspects of guest artist contracts and riders and prepare expense estimates for rental contracts and final billing.
• In coordination with Senior Director of Production and Director of Orchestra Operations, manage stage and equipment logistics for runouts and tours, including engaging coordinated equipment transportation.  Staff runouts and tours as needed.
• Oversee technical production for the Education and Learning Center and manage Powell Hall's audio/video systems and digital signage.
• Participate in a duty manager rotation, providing on-site and off-site support for rehearsals and concerts with other members of Production and Operations staff.  Participate in and lead production-related meetings as assigned.
• In coordination with Production Manager and Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL) production staff, determine SLSO stagehand requirements for OTSL services and ensure successful execution of these requirements.
• Create and administer technical production and relevant operational budgets, reviewing expenditures and providing updates for forecasting. Perform research for project-specific and operational budget preparation.
• Perform other duties as needed or assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge: A strong musical background with the ability to read and understand music as it relates to instrument needs and event production. Familiarity with classical music is essential. Extensive knowledge of technical concert production and stagecraft, including sound, video, lighting, stage carpentry, rigging, and union regulations. Knowledge of PC network environment using Microsoft Office applications is also required, knowledge of Mac environment a strong plus.

Experience: 5 years technical concert production experience with musical, stage and event production sufficient to perform duties of the position. Minimum 2 years previous supervisory experience.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Highly developed interpersonal skills with an emphasis on communication and customer service.  Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism at all times.
• Maintain fiscal responsibility and integrity in all budgeting and financial matters. Ability to work within budgetary constraints.
• Strong critical thinking skills. Ability to develop plans for the team and ensure execution of all needed deliverables (after developing an understanding of organizational direction and strategy).
• Self-starting with a drive to seek improvements in areas of direct responsibility and department processes.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook and Access. Aptitude for technology and IT systems such as ArtsVision.
• Highly reliable and dependable.
• Valid Missouri Class E (for hire) driver’s license or other state equivalent with driving record acceptable by SLSO insurance company required.