Assistant Technical Director

Job Highlights 

The Assistant Technical Director supports the management and implementation of technical operations for mainstage productions, special events, and other HGO-produced projects. As a member of the Technical/Production Department the Assistant Technical Director is committed to maintaining HGO’s high production standards for all company productions and events.

Join Us!

We are looking for talented, passionate, and dedicated people who are eager to make contributions to our community and our mission. If you are excited about this position but your experience does not align perfectly, we encourage you to apply! You may be just the right candidate for this position or another role at HGO.

About the Houston Grand Opera

The mission of HGO is to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera. We do so by creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice. HGO has received a Tony Award, three Grammy Awards, and three Emmy Awards – we are the only opera company in the world to win all three honors.

Our strategic focus is two-fold: creating profoundly enriching experiences for our diverse audiences and clearly defining and positively promoting the HGO brand. We believe every team member enriches our organization by exposing a broad range of ways to understand and engage our community and discover, design, and deliver enriching experiences.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer robust benefits to full-time employees, including:

• Comprehensive and affordable health benefits.

• Generous paid time off.

• 403b retirement plan with employer match.

• Flexible work schedule.

• Professional development fund and opportunities.

• Discounted parking in the Theater District garage and nearby lots, plus easy access to Metro transportation.

• Free tickets to our mainstage and community productions and events.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the technical aspects of assigned productions and projects each season:

• Advise the Technical Director on scheduling and crewing for assigned projects.

• Research, develop and advise on materials, tools, hardware, and special products.

• Purchasing materials, tools, hardware, and special products as needed.

• Acquire technical production information for assigned projects.

• Maintain and finalize production specific paperwork.

• Attend rehearsals, technical sessions, and work calls as needed.

• Establish and maintain archival records including photographic documentation.

• Serve on show duty for assigned productions as needed.

• Provide support on all Safety matters, setting a positive culture of safety within the working environment and ensuring a safe working environment in all company workspaces.

• Provide technical support for all assigned HGO special projects:

  • Attend planning meetings for assigned events.

  • Plan and oversee all technical setups for assigned events and meetings.

• Work closely with the other Production Department members, plan the maintenance and upkeep of all HGO tools, equipment, and facilities under the direct control of the Production Department

  • Maintain a complete and up-to-date inventory.

  • Plan and manage preventative maintenance and appropriate documentation.

Other Duties

This job description represents the essential functions of the position but is not all inclusive.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in theatre technology or three years professional technical theater experience.

• Must be a collaborative team player, with effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience working with union crews is strongly preferred.

• Proficiency in current release of Vectorworks or AutoCAD and other software programs in current usage.

• Experience in scenery construction, engineering, and theatrical rigging.

• Understanding OSHA health and safety practices a plus.

• Must be able to lift fifty pounds to waist level.

• Availability for evening and weekend work required.

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

• Ability to attain an OSHA 30 certification.

• Ability to attain a forklift certification.

Special Job Characteristics

Candidate must be highly motivated, independent self-starter with ability to be a calming influence on all around. Must be able to manage multiple tasks and projects and have the ability to analyze problems and prioritize their resolution in terms of resources within artistic and financial parameters. Must be able to speak in front of a crowd and communicate ideas and goals.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those we consider important for an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job: extended periods of sitting and performing tasks such as typing and using a computer mouse, with strong visual and auditory focus, occasional lifting (not exceeding 20 pounds), reaching for items, effective communication skills, and fine motor abilities, being mobile within the office for activities like attending performances, events, and meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity

Houston Grand Opera is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HGO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. HGO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. HGO encourages applicants of all ages.