Fordham University has an excellent reputation as a dynamic institution located in New York City. Founded in 1841, Fordham enrolls more than 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students in its 9 Colleges and Schools.
We offer tuition remission for employees and their dependents
A generous employer match towards a 403(b) retirement plan.
As a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), Fordham is considered a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, a federal program designed to forgive student loan debt for employees of certain public and certain nonprofit employers.
As part of its work-life balance program, the University provides generous PTO including 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 2 personal days, 6 summer Fridays, and holidays that include paid time off between Christmas and New year.
University employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP provides no-cost, professional, and confidential services, to help employees and family members address a variety of personal, family, life, and work-related issues.
Fordham University seeks a skilled, experienced Technical Director with expertise in scenic painting, carpentry, and building theatrical productions in an educational environment for a full-time, fully benefited yearly position. The Theatre Program is based at Fordham’s Lincoln Center Campus in Manhattan and is housed academically within a department alongside Visual Art. Students receive a B.A. with a concentration in one of four areas: performance, design and production, directing, and playwriting. Historically, the Program produces four mainstage productions with professional guest artists and sixteen student-led studio productions annually. Fordham Theatre is committed to cultivating an expansive vision for the program that assures its preeminent standing, elevates its profile as an innovative leader in the field of undergraduate theater training, and centers social justice, anti-racism and anti-ableism in all aspects of its work.
Under the direct supervision of the Production Manager, the Technical Director plays an integral leadership role in the Fordham Theater Program. Responsibilities range from the full execution of designs for the mainstage productions; management of the scenic shop and supervision of students, including work-study student workers; and mentorship of student-led studio
productions. Detailed responsibilities are listed below and can be altered in agreement with the technical director and production manager. The ideal candidate will have a passion for arts education, strong collaboration, communication skills; excellent technical skills and expertise, and be able to maintain high quality and standards within a safe and supportive work
environment. The chosen candidate is deeply committed to equity, access and inclusion and has a joy and passion in sharing knowledge and learning with students.
This position reports to the Production Manager and supervises the Assistant Scenic Shop Supervisor and Students.
Essential Functions
Mainstage Productions
There are two mainstage productions per semester, four per academic year. The technical director is responsible for the build of the scenery, rigging, and supervising student crews throughout
the process. This includes, but is not limited to:
Attend all production meetings, as well as communicate with designers outside of formal meeting times.
Attend technical rehearsals
Interpret the scenic designer’s submitted plans and discussing viability with the designer and production manager
Provide a cost analysis to ensure the set can be built within the given budget
Create technical working drawings to be used to construct scenery and teach students how to utilize them
Order materials needed to build scenery, submit expenses, and monitor budget
Oversee students working in the scenic shop to ensure correct and safe practices.practices.
Oversee and coordinate scenic painting and/or hiring of scenic artists when necessary
Oversee strike of the four productions and “mini-strike” when necessary.
General troubleshooting and problem solving throughout technical rehearsals and performances periods.
Scenic Shop
The Technical Director is responsible for overseeing the scenic shop and the students who are doing lab hours in the shop. This includes but is not limited to:
Ensure safe and correct practices in the shop
Maintain tools, equipment, and materials (Flats, platforms, soft goods, etc.)
Supervise the Assistant Scenic Shop Supervisor
Maintain first aid and safety supplies
Schedule students lab hours in the scenic shop
Schedule and supervise work study students in scenic shop
Theater Program Responsibilities
The Technical Director is a leader within the Theatre Program, a valued and integral member of the theater program staff and contributes to the program in a variety of ways beyond the scenic shop. These include but are not limited to:
Track, monitor and provide feedback for students’ learning and progress
Oversee work study students hours and submit hours for approval
Attend weekly faculty and production meetings
Mentor and approve student scenic designs for studio productions
Teach lab portion of collaboration class
Support classroom needs where appropriate
Qualifications:
Commitment to an inclusive, accessible, and equitable workplace environment; sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and backgrounds of faculty, staff and students.
Collaborative leadership style with leadership experience working in a professional and/or educational Scene Shop.
Teaching and/or mentoring experience
Scene painting and carpentry skills
Resourceful and works independently to ensure that each task is thoroughly executed.
Ability to supervise, work with, and teach students
Delegates effectively and meets students where they are in their level of experience
Ability to maintain artistic intent within financial and time constraints.
A thorough understanding of the scene design and construction processes and all of the related aspects of the overall theatre production process.
Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Working Conditions and Physical Necessities:
Ability to work long hours and work with a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends.
May have to work at heights, around moving machinery, and with exposure to noise, vibration, and dust.
Ability to work safely in an environment containing potentially hazardous electrical equipment, fumes, and/or materials.
Ability to perform physical activities such as, but not limited to, lifting, bending, standing, climbing, and/or walking. Capable of lifting 50lbs.
Essential Functions Note
This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.
Management Responsibilities
Guides work of other employees who perform essentially the same work and/or student workers. Organizes, sets priorities, schedules and reviews work, but is generally not responsible for final decisions in hiring, performance management or compensation.
Required Qualifications: Education and Experience
Bachelor Degree
Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a scenic shop
Teaching and/or mentoring experience at the undergraduate level
Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills
Commitment to an inclusive, accessible, and equitable workplace environment; sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and backgrounds of faculty, staff and students.
Collaborative leadership style with leadership experience working in a professional and/or educational Scene Shop.
Scene painting and carpentry skills.
Resourceful and works independently to ensure that each task is thoroughly executed.
Ability to supervise, work with, and teach students.
Delegates effectively and meets students where they are in their level of experience.
Ability to maintain artistic intent within financial and time constraints.
A thorough understanding of the scene design and construction processes and all of the related aspects of the overall theatre production process.
Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.
Minimum Starting Salary: $87,000
Maximum Starting Salary: $92,000
Note: Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.
Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its 9 colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.
Fordham University is committed to excellence through diversity and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.
Fordham is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories
