Technical Director - The Young Performing Arts Center

  • UWSYS University of Wisconsin System Administration
  • Whitewater, WI
  • 7mo ago
  • Full-Time
  • On-site

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Position Title:

Technical Director - The Young Performing Arts Center

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Technical Director

Job Duties:

Attention:

The Young Performing Arts Center in the College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Technical Director (Technical Director, AR010). 

To schedule a tour of the facilities, please contact Michael Dugan at 262-472-5572. 

Job Details:

The Technical Director has the ongoing responsibility for all of The Young’s venue technical operations and related equipment. The Auditorium’s Technical Director is the resident authority on the use and operation of all systems, including but not limited to lighting, sound, video, staging, rigging, computer systems, rental equipment, as well as outside technical support service. The Technical Director reports to the Director and works closely with the auditorium staff, touring companies, and campus and community users to determine and implement technical and design needs, delivering high-quality, customer-friendly technical support that leads to successful events. This is primarily accomplished with a student crew hired, trained, and supervised by the Technical Director. 

This position receives supervision from the Director of the Young Performing Arts Center.

This position supervises and works with student employees, campus staff, touring personnel, rental clients, union and on-union stagehands and private contractors.

Responsibilities:

  • Serve as technical director for all events and groups presenting or using The Young (including the entire facility), providing professional-quality technical support, including obtaining and operating equipment and services to fulfill contractual obligations. 

  • Serve as Technical Director for all events and groups presenting in or utilizing The Young Performing Arts Center (across the entire facility). Provide professional, high-quality technical support by securing and operating equipment and services to meet contractual obligations. Offer leadership and guidance on all technical needs for groups, partners, and stakeholders, both on and off campus, who use The Young PAC facilities. 

  • Develop and implement a budget to determine and minimize staffing expenditures in collaboration with the Director.

  • Effectively plan and advance dates for all technical requirements, staffing, and logistics for all performances with all The Young PAC users and contracted professional touring artists. 

  • Maintain excellent relationships with campus/community peers and directors, and other venues and technicians to aid in staffing, equipment rental/loans, and other resources. 

  • Provide leadership and guidance regarding all technical needs for all groups using the Young PAC facilities. 

  • Recruit, schedule, and lead a well-trained UWW student crew. 

  • Develop, update, and administer training programs for all tech student crew. 

  • Follow and ensure adherence to applicable local, state, UW System, and national codes, regulations, and industry best practices. 

  • Maintain equipment, inventory, and coordinate preventative maintenance/repairs for The Young PAC. 

  • Develop and implement policies and long-range plans related to the use of equipment and facilities. 

  • Establish and execute policies and strategic plans to guide long-term equipment usage and facility operations. 

  • Develop long-range plans for the facility's equipment and infrastructure. 

  • Work with staff to bill internal and external clients for services provided. 

  • Complete special projects as assigned. 

This description attempts to indicate the kinds and levels of responsibilities given to this title and shall not be construed as defining all specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. It is not intended to limit or modify the right of supervisors to assign, direct, and control the work of their employees. Statements of employee duties are not intended to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of responsibility. 

Key Job Responsibilities:

  • May develop unit operating budgets and identify opportunities for new unit income generating programs and services
  • Cleans and maintains organization of theater and technical production equipment
  • Instructs students in the preparation, construction, and operation of performance art productions, systems and equipment
  • Inspects, maintains, and repairs equipment to ensure optimal and safe operation
  • Directs the planning, staffing, and execution of technical production and theatrical operations before and during performances
  • Develops and directs implementation of operating policies and procedures with health and safety regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives

Department:

The Young Performing Arts Center

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $62,500 – $65,000.  

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System’s comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure. 

Required Qualifications:

  • A bachelor's degree in a technical theatre arts-related field or 4 years of professional technical direction experience

  • Three years of experience in technical theatre management and/or professional concert sound and lighting production (including sound, lighting, rigging, audio visual, and recording) 

  • Ability to read, understand, and create materials that adhere to standard industry practices  

  • Strong proven background in live sound reinforcement 

  • Ability to adjust schedule to meet the needs of this position

  • Customer-friendly interpersonal skills that enable relating well to the diverse students, faculty, administrative staff, community members, and professional contacts that this position encounters 

  • Ability to read, understand, and create materials that adhere to standard industry practices  

  • Proven ability to lead union, non-union, and student crews concurrently  

  • Strong proven background in live sound reinforcement 

  • Proven knowledge of theatrical rigging

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Ability to setup, from nothing, a functional Dante network consisting of multiple consoles, stage boxes, computers, and other hardware 

  • Strong knowledge of Yamaha and ETC EOS consoles, software, and hardware 

  • Current Rigging and or Electrician ETCP Certification 

  • Current Dante Level 2 Certification 

  • Familiarity and working knowledge of industry software, including but not limited to: AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Adobe Creative Suite, QLab, Dante Controller, and Google/Microsoft Office Suite

  • Ability to use EASE or similar tuning software and configure DSPs 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds

  • Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills

How to Apply:

Applications received by October 19, 2025 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

  • Cover Letter

  • Resume

  • Name and contact information for three professional references

Contact Information:

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Brian Breezer

Search and Screen Committee Chair

262-472-5705

breezerb@uww.edu

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1072 or hr@uww.edu. 

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT: 

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization. 

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.   

  

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.  

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin (https://www.wisconsin.edu). 
 
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a). 
 
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked. 
 
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills. 
 
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see 
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

EEO STATEMENT:


Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.