Technical Director
Position: Technical Director
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus — artists, leaders and thinkers — to unleash their creative potential.
We acknowledge, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as Minhrpa (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “the waterfalls”) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.
The Opportunity
The technical director is responsible for the planning, management, and supervision of all technical and production elements of performing arts productions, Banff Centre programs, presentations, and related activities across Banff Centre.
The technical director will act as crew chief and will work closely with the production manager, performing Arts, to achieve a high production value for all Banff Centre activities. High production value in performing arts at Banff Centre is equally based in process as well as traditionally defined technical quality.
Roles and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Production Manager, Performing Arts, below are some of the key responsibilities:
- Lead the day-to-day management of the technical departments including supervision of personnel, general organization and administration, scheduling, crew management, and expense management.
- Advise on the technical specifications, costs and usage of technical equipment and venues in annual planning for programs, events and performances.
Technical:
- Work with all departments and shops, clients, teams, and faculty in facilitating, managing, and organizing program and performance requirements by conducting technical assessments, analyzing technical riders, preparing costings, drawings, supporting adjudications, and identifying crew resource and venue/space requirements.
- Oversee the operating, maintaining, and safeguarding of the technical assets of venues, including supervising the use of stage, lighting, sound, projection, communications equipment, and the use and maintenance of shops and stage facilities.
- Determine the necessary technical supports, such as lighting, sound, staging, shops and special needs, necessary for programs, events and performances presented in advance of production dates.
Financial:
- Prepare and process/approve billing, purchase orders, rentals, cheque requisitions, petty cash vouchers, reimbursement, and expense claims as required.
- Develop capital requirements and capital purchase plans of equipment and systems for the Performing Arts venues, and provide an annual technical inventory of all equipment with recommendations for replacement, or refurbishment.
- Assist with the preparation and control of production budgets; maintain inventory and order specialized supplies.
CAD/Vectorworks: Responsible for analyzing designs, costing production projects, maintaining technical documentation, CAD/VECTORWORKS drawings, and other records as necessary for productions/presentations; reads and interpret blueprints, drawings and plots, supplementing design work.
Safety:
- Ensure the safety of the workplace by helping to establish and enforcing all health, security, and safety policies and procedures and maintain a safe working environment in all production areas.
- Conduct regular reviews of equipment set-up, monitor operating staff to ensure safe practices are followed.
- Monitor and evaluate safety performance within the areas of responsibility and recommend and implement measures to bring about continuous improvement.
- Develop, implement and monitor procedures to ensure a safe work environment in the back stage and stage areas.
- Ensure individuals in their areas of assignment be given adequate direction, training, and instruction in the safe performance of their work.
- Conduct inspections at regular intervals to prevent the development of unsafe conditions and practices and ensure inspection reports are completed and produced when required.
- Actively partner with the Health and Safety Officer or any external occupational health and safety authority during routine and formal work site assessments or audits.
General Assistance:
- Lead recruiting and training of technical staff.
- Drive the production truck and other Banff Centre vehicles in compliance with Banff Centre policies.
Practicum Program:
- Take a lead role in the planning and management of practicum programs so that training is in alignment with Banff Centre objectives.
- Ensures timely recruitment of practicums and mentors and oversees that the participant’s training objectives are met.
- Lead in the design and development of practicum group events/technical training sessions.
- Make recommendations for practicum faculty, staff and guest speakers.
Qualifications and Educational Requirements:
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in technical theatre or related field / equivalent experience
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in technical performing arts roles
- Experience with a variety of types of live performance including music, dance, opera, and theatre
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to lead and supervise a crew
- Ability to read and analyze a budget
- Ability to read and produce technical drawings and schematics in CAD (Vectorworks)
- Technical skills in scenic carpentry, stage carpentry, rigging, lighting, sound, projections
- Knowledge of structural and mechanical construction for the stage, both materials and techniques, welding, and rigging
- Knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems
- Knowledge and practical experience using Microsoft Office
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on multiple projects with tight deadlines
- Maintain a positive attitude, especially while working under pressure.
- Confident in troubleshooting, creative problem solving, and research
- Self motivated and able to work effectively independently, and takes direction well
- Ability to work irregular hours and weekends
Special Requirements: Due to the nature of the job, this position requires the candidate to be available to work a flexible, irregular schedule and weekends.
Employment Terms and Benefits:
- In accordance with the terms of employment governing management/PSP employees, this is a salaried, fulltime position, subject to a 6 month probationary period.
- The successful candidate will enjoy twenty paid vacation days and four personal days annually, extended medical and dental benefits, and participation in an employer-matched pension plan.
Benefits of working at Banff Centre are:
- Transitional staff housing options (based on availability)
- Professional development
- Staff cafeteria and restaurant discounts
- Onsite fitness facility at a discounted rate – first month free for new staff!
Application Process
We are accepting applications for the technical director position until a suitable candidate is found.
Candidates offered a position with Banff Centre, in this capacity, will be required to obtain a criminal record check verifying a clear record before a final job offer can be finalized.
For more information and to apply, visit banffcentre.ca/careers.
Visa Requirements: Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Banff Centre is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.
