Job Overview
Compensation
Salary
Range $51,100.00 - $73,500.00
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Professional development opportunities
Flexible work schedule
Employee assistance program
Job Description
The Lorton Performance Center (LPC) represents a pivotal hub within the university's network of event spaces, dedicated to hosting a diverse array of productions and events that range from theatrical performances to academic presentations and other campus-wide functions. As a cornerstone of the university's commitment to providing high-quality cultural and educational experiences, LPC integrates advanced audiovisual technologies, innovative staging, and exceptional technical expertise to ensure every event meets the highest standards of excellence and safety. The center serves both the university community and external clients, offering a professional environment that fosters creative expression and operational efficiency. With its multidisciplinary focus, LPC is equipped to support a wide variety of performance genres and technical requirements, making it an indispensable asset in the university’s event production and management ecosystem.
The role of the Event Production & Technical Manager at the Lorton Performance Center is fundamental to the successful execution of all technical and production facets of the venue's offerings. This full-time position entails comprehensive responsibilities including overseeing professional and student staff, coordinating complex event logistics, and managing the technical infrastructure essential for live event production. The manager acts as a central point of contact among university departments, producers, directors, and external clients to ensure seamless scheduling, production advancement, and technical direction. The scope of this role encompasses theatre-specific duties such as lighting design, rigging, theatrical carpentry, and stage operations, as well as the broader management of event-related technologies including sound reinforcement, projection, and staging setups across multiple campus venues.
Key aspects of the position involve not only the hands-on technical support during load-in, rehearsals, performances, and load-outs but also strategic oversight of the LPC’s operational budget, staffing levels, and maintenance programs. Leadership is critical in developing student staff through training programs that emphasize safety, competency with production equipment, and customer service skills, ensuring that even those without prior theatrical experience can contribute effectively. The manager is responsible for enforcing rigorous safety protocols aligned with institutional policies, fire and life safety codes, OSHA guidelines, and industry best practices, mitigating risks and maintaining secure environments across all productions and events.
Furthermore, the manager collaborates extensively with university academic units such as the School of Music and Film Studies, supporting their performance and audiovisual needs with expert technical consultation. Beyond theatrical responsibilities, this position also coordinates with campus services, facilities management, and security teams to facilitate event logistics, resource allocation, and technical execution in diverse environments covering indoor theatres, event spaces, outdoor venues, and active construction zones.
The candidate must demonstrate extensive experience in live event and theatrical production management, including multi-venue coordination, technical system design, and risk management. Proficiency in industry-standard production software, including lighting control systems like ETC Eos and drafting tools such as WYSIWYG or AutoCAD, is essential. The role requires a robust understanding of theatrical rigging, equipment maintenance, and audiovisual systems design to ensure that both traditional theatre productions and campus-wide events are executed with technical excellence and operational safety.
With a requirement for adaptive scheduling that includes evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays, the Event Production & Technical Manager must exhibit exceptional organizational and communication skills, fostering collaboration across diverse teams and stakeholders. The role demands physical endurance for hands-on tasks involving equipment handling, operating at heights, and working in variable environmental conditions.
In summary, the Event Production & Technical Manager position is an integral leadership role at the Lorton Performance Center and university event venues. It combines strategic management, technical expertise, safety oversight, and team development to deliver exemplary production experiences that uphold the integrity and reputation of the university’s event programming.
The role of the Event Production & Technical Manager at the Lorton Performance Center is fundamental to the successful execution of all technical and production facets of the venue's offerings. This full-time position entails comprehensive responsibilities including overseeing professional and student staff, coordinating complex event logistics, and managing the technical infrastructure essential for live event production. The manager acts as a central point of contact among university departments, producers, directors, and external clients to ensure seamless scheduling, production advancement, and technical direction. The scope of this role encompasses theatre-specific duties such as lighting design, rigging, theatrical carpentry, and stage operations, as well as the broader management of event-related technologies including sound reinforcement, projection, and staging setups across multiple campus venues.
Key aspects of the position involve not only the hands-on technical support during load-in, rehearsals, performances, and load-outs but also strategic oversight of the LPC’s operational budget, staffing levels, and maintenance programs. Leadership is critical in developing student staff through training programs that emphasize safety, competency with production equipment, and customer service skills, ensuring that even those without prior theatrical experience can contribute effectively. The manager is responsible for enforcing rigorous safety protocols aligned with institutional policies, fire and life safety codes, OSHA guidelines, and industry best practices, mitigating risks and maintaining secure environments across all productions and events.
Furthermore, the manager collaborates extensively with university academic units such as the School of Music and Film Studies, supporting their performance and audiovisual needs with expert technical consultation. Beyond theatrical responsibilities, this position also coordinates with campus services, facilities management, and security teams to facilitate event logistics, resource allocation, and technical execution in diverse environments covering indoor theatres, event spaces, outdoor venues, and active construction zones.
The candidate must demonstrate extensive experience in live event and theatrical production management, including multi-venue coordination, technical system design, and risk management. Proficiency in industry-standard production software, including lighting control systems like ETC Eos and drafting tools such as WYSIWYG or AutoCAD, is essential. The role requires a robust understanding of theatrical rigging, equipment maintenance, and audiovisual systems design to ensure that both traditional theatre productions and campus-wide events are executed with technical excellence and operational safety.
With a requirement for adaptive scheduling that includes evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays, the Event Production & Technical Manager must exhibit exceptional organizational and communication skills, fostering collaboration across diverse teams and stakeholders. The role demands physical endurance for hands-on tasks involving equipment handling, operating at heights, and working in variable environmental conditions.
In summary, the Event Production & Technical Manager position is an integral leadership role at the Lorton Performance Center and university event venues. It combines strategic management, technical expertise, safety oversight, and team development to deliver exemplary production experiences that uphold the integrity and reputation of the university’s event programming.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in technical theatre, theatre production, entertainment technology, event production, arts administration, facilities management, audio engineering, business administration, higher education administration, or a related field required
- master's degree preferred
- equivalent combinations of education, professional training, certifications, and leadership experience may be considered
- bachelor's degree requirement may be waived with 10 to 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience
- minimum 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in theatrical production, venue management, event operations, or technical services, including supervisory experience
- experience overseeing complex live productions and campus-wide event operations preferred
- demonstrated experience managing professional staff, student employees, production crews, contractors, and vendors
- demonstrated experience managing departmental budgets and capital equipment planning
- experience overseeing audiovisual systems, theatrical lighting, rigging systems, production technologies, and event safety practices
- experience developing operational procedures and safety protocols preferred
- demonstrated ability to collaborate with senior leadership, faculty, students, external clients, and community partners
- equivalent professional experience in relevant industries may be considered
- flexible schedule including evenings and weekends
- physical ability to work at heights and handle equipment
- ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly
Job Qualifications
- Demonstrated expertise in live event and theatrical production, including venue management, lighting design, production management, technical direction, house management, staging, theatrical carpentry, and rigging systems
- proven ability to lead and manage multiple concurrent events and productions
- experience training, supervising, and developing student staff and entry-level personnel in technical production and event operations
- proficiency with industry-standard production technologies and software, including lighting control systems and drafting/rendering tools
- working knowledge of audiovisual systems design, setup, operation, and troubleshooting
- strong understanding of theatrical rigging systems, stage operations, and equipment maintenance
- knowledge of applicable safety standards, fire/life safety codes, OSHA guidelines, and industry best practices
- ability to conduct risk assessments and implement safety protocols
- proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and event management systems
- excellent verbal and written communication skills
- demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships
- strong organizational and prioritization skills
- ability to adapt quickly to changing event needs
- commitment to delivering high-quality customer service
- demonstrated problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
- ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality
- ability to work flexible hours
- experience managing budgets and capital equipment planning
- experience supporting large-scale or campus-wide events
Job Duties
- Oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of all technical and production aspects for events and performances within the Lorton Performance Center (LPC) and across other university event spaces
- provides leadership and supervision to full-time staff, graduate assistants, and student employees
- develops schedules to ensure appropriate staffing levels for all events and operations
- designs, implements, and maintains repertory lighting plots, line-set schedules, and other technical systems
- engineers and oversees additional installations as required
- coordinates and executes event production elements including load-in, setup, rehearsal support, performance operations, and load-out across multiple campus venues
- ensures all events are properly staffed, equipped, and executed in accordance with event requirements, timelines, and university standards
- oversees audiovisual systems and event technologies, including sound reinforcement, lighting, projection, staging, and related equipment
- establishes and enforces technical, operational, and safety standards
- conducts risk assessments for events and technical operations
- develops and delivers training programs for student staff
- collaborates with university departments, including the School of Music and Film Studies, to support performances and academic programming
- provides technical consultation and production support to students, faculty, staff, and external clients
- manages the LPC operating budget and oversees production-specific budgets
- plans for and manages theatrical and event technology upgrades
- maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs theatrical and event-related equipment
- ensures all required inspections, certifications, and preventative maintenance are completed
- produces technical drawings and documentation
- programs and operates lighting control systems and other show control technologies
- maintains current knowledge of live event production trends and regulatory requirements
- serves as venue manager for LPC
- coordinates with Campus Services, Facilities Management, and external vendors
- provides hands-on technical support as needed
- performs other related duties as assigned
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
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