The Role
Leads shipboard entertainment technical operations across lighting, audio, video, stage automation, and rigging systems. Oversees maintenance, inspections, scheduling, safety compliance, documentation, inventory, rehearsals, cast changeovers, and live events. Manages and develops a multidisciplinary technical team while coordinating with other departments. Requires at least five years of live production or technical theater experience, including two years of leadership, plus the ability to work at heights, lift 50 pounds, and travel full-time aboard ships.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Entertainment Technical Manager (ETM) is responsible for the safe, consistent, and high-quality performance of all technical operations supporting shipboard entertainment programming. This includes oversight of lighting, audio, video, stage automation, and rigging systems across multiple venues. As a key member of the ship’s Entertainment leadership team, the ETM leads a team of skilled technicians and ensures all entertainment systems are maintained to company and regulatory standards.
This role requires a deep understanding of live production systems, proactive leadership, and the ability to manage evolving schedules in a fast-paced environment. The ETM reports directly to the Entertainment Director and holds the rank of a two-stripe officer onboard.
This role requires a deep understanding of live production systems, proactive leadership, and the ability to manage evolving schedules in a fast-paced environment. The ETM reports directly to the Entertainment Director and holds the rank of a two-stripe officer onboard.
Key Job Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure safe and effective technical operations that consistently support excellent guest experience.
- Oversee daily functionality, scheduling, and maintenance of all technical systems across all entertainment venues.
- Monitor compliance with company policies, safety protocols, and regulatory standards.
- Coordinate technical elements for rehearsals, cast changeovers, and live events to ensure technical readiness.
- Lead and mentor onboard technical team members, promoting development, accountability, and high standards.
- Schedule and perform regular inspections and preventative maintenance on all technical systems.
- Maintain accurate documentation of safety compliance, maintenance logs, inventories, and administrative reporting.
- Coordinate with other departments and stakeholders to deliver technical support for shipwide events.
- Oversee timely ordering of replacement parts, supplies, and consumables.
- Uphold clean and safe working conditions in all backstage and technical work areas.
Experience
Minimum Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent experience in technical theater, live production, or a related discipline.
- At least 5 years of professional experience in live production or technical theater, including 2 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity.
- Strong knowledge of entertainment systems including rigging, automation, video, lighting, and/or audio.
- Entertainment technical training courses or certifications preferred.
- OSHA 10/30 or similar safety certifications preferred.
- Experience in cruise ship or touring environments strongly preferred.
- Proven leadership skills and ability to manage a multidisciplinary team.
- Champion of safety compliance and technical standards.
- Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
- Proficiency with technical documentation, reporting tools, scheduling, and inventory systems.
- Effective communicator with the ability to motivate and develop a diverse team.
- Flexible, solution-oriented, and able to manage changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
Additional Requirements
- Must pass and maintain a valid medical certificate of fitness (arranged by the company).
- Able to lift up to 50 lbs (23 kg), work at heights up to 36 ft (11 m), and operate in confined, loud, bright, or dark environments.
- Comfortable standing and walking for extended periods and adapting to shipboard schedules.
- Full-time shipboard travel required; this is a seagoing role with 6-month contract durations.
- Single cabin accommodation; two-stripe officer rank.
- On-call shipboard phone will be provided onboard.
- Must be comfortable operating in a multicultural, fast-paced environment.
About
Consisting of Holland America Line and Seabourn, our fleets span the globe. We set the bar with 150 years of proud tradition at Holland America Line and delivering the finest ultra-luxury experience at Seabourn.
Skills Required
- Degree or equivalent experience in technical theater, live production, or a related discipline
- At least 5 years of professional experience in live production or technical theater
- At least 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience
- Strong knowledge of rigging, automation, video, lighting, and/or audio systems
- Proven leadership skills and ability to manage a multidisciplinary team
- Safety compliance and technical standards experience
- Excellent organizational and time-management abilities
- Proficiency with technical documentation, reporting, scheduling, and inventory systems
- Effective communication and team-development skills
- Flexibility and ability to manage changing priorities in a dynamic environment
- Entertainment technical training courses or certifications
- OSHA 10/30 or similar safety certification
- Cruise ship or touring experience
- Valid medical certificate of fitness
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to work at heights up to 36 feet
- Ability to work in confined, loud, bright, or dark environments
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
- Availability for full-time shipboard travel and six-month contracts
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The Company
What We Do
Holland America Line is a premium international cruise line that has been synonymous with timeless travel for over 150 years, inviting explorers to discover the world with nuance, depth, and grace.
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