Technical Director, Performing Arts
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus—artists, leaders, and thinkers—to unleash their creative potential.
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity acknowledges, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain, in the beautiful and special territory of Treaty 7.
We recognize the past, present, and future generations of Stoney Nakoda, Blackfoot, Tsuut’ina Nations, and Métis from Region 3, who help us steward this land, as well as honour and celebrate this place.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the managing director, events, production, marketing and communications the technical director, performing arts 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, performing arts employs a working knowledge of the following: techniques; methods and procedures of theatre; dance/music productions and presentations including stage, set, sound, projection, lighting design and implementation; stage management; computerized control systems; stage carpentry and rigging; and appropriate safety procedures to analyze and evaluate the need for technical support for programs, events and performances.
The technical director, performing arts is responsible for the staffing, scheduling, and budget development of performing arts productions and presentations. The technical director, performing arts develops and implements specific training programs required to maintain technical expertise; and, oversees the practicum training programs related and offered by the performing arts area.
Roles & Responsibilities
Some of the key roles and responsibility for this position are:
Scheduling & Administration
- Manages staff in the performing arts technical and production areas, shops and venues.
- Manages the day-to-day scheduling/booking of technical and production teams, and production activities; prepares and oversees schedule for venue activities, and supervises the successful and timely load in and out of productions and presentations.
- Develops production schedule detailing all rehearsals, materials acquisition, set build, tech, strike and all other related production tasks; reconciling and reporting resources used.
- Initiates regular project/program production meetings with appropriate staff and project teams; and monitors project progress so that activity stays on budget and on time.
- Responsible for the preparation, review, and approval of weekly timesheets in accordance with required timelines set out in the collective agreement.
- Sources and hires external crew to support programming needs and oversees the work of outside contractors, shops, and suppliers.
Technical & Production
- Assumes responsibility for performing arts productions by ensuring all technical and production elements on assigned projects are delivered on schedule and on budget; determines necessary technical supports, such as lighting, sound, staging, projection and special needs, necessary for events and performances in advance of production dates; troubleshoots technical and production challenges as required.
- Advises on the technical specifications, costs and usage of technical equipment required for the individual shows. Assists and advises programming and presentation departments in the choice and/or feasibility of programs, projects and residencies; advises on the technical specifications, costs and usage of technical equipment, and ensures the implementations of approved technical designs for each show.
- Works with all departments, clients, teams, and faculty in facilitating, managing, and organizing production requirements by conducting technical assessments, analyzing technical riders, preparing production costings, supporting adjudications, and identifying crew resource and venue/space requirements.
- Ensures that production projects and technical riders are properly analyzed, costed, scheduled, implemented, and managed. This includes maintaining all technical documentation, CAD drawings and other records as necessary for production/presentation.
- Responsible for creating CAD drawings, analyzing designs, costing production projects, maintaining technical documentation, CAD drawings, and other records as necessary for productions/presentations; reads and interpret blueprints, drawings and plots, supplementing design work as needed.
- Oversees and implements production elements, including build, paint, props, maintenance, and strike; ensures smooth operation of the technical aspects of all productions.
- Ensures proper set up, maintenance, and operation of lighting and sound systems for theatre, dance, music, programming, and presentations.
- Ensures the successful and timely load in and out of productions and presentations.
- Develops, implements, and monitors policies to ensure a safe work environment.
Financial Responsibilities
- Contributes to the preparation of the program production operating plans and budgets.
- Tracks project expenses within program budget and provides details for program reconciliation.
- Develops capital requirements and capital purchase plan of equipment and systems for the performing arts venues and provides an annual technical inventory of all equipment with recommendations for replacement, or refurbishment.
- Manages administration tasks undertaken by staff including but not limited to, contracts, billings, collections and tracking, purchase orders, and rentals; Prepares and processes/approves billing, purchase orders, cheque requisitions, petty cash vouchers, reimbursement, and expense claims as required.
- Prepares and manages technical and production budgets; and with direction from MD, develops annual production operating plans and budgets, provides regular financial tracking and forecasting reports, monitors and controls production and operational budgets ensuring a balanced budget, tracking expenses within budgets, and providing details for budget reconciliation.
- Human resource management, team building and interdivisional cooperation.
- Enables the staff to function as a high performing team at all times, maintaining open communication, clear objectives and priorities, and a culture of positive behavioral intent that is consistent and in alignment with Banff Centre values and is welcoming and inclusive, supporting a diverse workforce.
- Ensures that employees fully understand their roles, responsibilities, and performance standards and provide ongoing formal and informal feedback, coaching and support as employees strive to achieve expectations.
- Ensures a positive and safe work environment for all Banff employees, aligned with Banff Centre’s policies including but not limited to code of ethics, anti-harassment policies, contractual obligations, and strategic directions.
- Works closely with the human resources team in all aspects of human resource management including hiring, training, payroll, discipline (up to an including termination) to ensure policies, procedures, contractual, legislative and work culture expectations are met. Ensures employee time reporting and overtime is recorded accurately in the time keeping system meeting as per established payroll deadlines is executed as it relates to the Collective Agreement and Terms of Employment Governing Management and Program, Supervisory and Professional (PSP) Employees.
Qualifications & Educational Requirements
- Completion of university degree in related discipline.
- Minimum of five years professional experience supervising in a unionized stage environment.
- Minimum of 10 years professional experience as a technical director or director production.
- Knowledge of structural and mechanical construction for the stage, both materials and techniques, including welding, rigging and painting.
- Knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical systems.
- Thorough knowledge of lighting, sound, and video.
- Working knowledge of current safety standards and the implementation of same.
- Product, material, pricing, and logistics research skills.
- Experience fulfilling technical and touring riders and/or touring of productions
- Experience with a variety of types of live performance including theatre, dance, and music.
- Ability to read and produce technical drawings and schematics.
- Knowledge and practical experience using Microsoft Office.
- Strong personnel, scheduling, and budgetary management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on multiple projects with tight deadlines and a positive attitude while working under pressure.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
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 & Benefits
In accordance with the terms of employment governing management/PSP employees, this is a salaried, full-time position, subject to a six-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:
- 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!
- Free or reduced admission to Banff Centre performance and events.
Application Process
Please apply directly by visiting phe.tbe.taleo.net.
We are accepting applications for the technical director, performing arts position until February 1, 2022, 11:59pm MT.
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.
Visa Requirements: Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Banff Centre is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.
All Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity Employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 . Accommodation will be made for those who are legitimately exempted from vaccination requirements. Employment candidates must demonstrate during the recruitment process that they are Fully Vaccinated in accordance with the Centre’s COVID-19 Vaccination Directive as a pre-condition of employment.