Technical Supervisor / Assistant Technical Director

Job Title: Technical Supervisor

Location: Chicago, IL

Terms: Full-Time

Requirements: Ability to work evening and weekend hours per events scheduled

About Us:

The Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture is a not-for-profit organization whose mission and principal activities are to promote and support fine arts, cultural programming, and spiritual development for Catholics and the general public in Chicago, Illinois. Our mission is to invite people into encounters with Beauty and to revitalize the great Catholic tradition of the arts from our location in one of Chicago’s most unique religious, artistic, and civic buildings.

Our performing arts center was built in 1911 as part of St. Alphonsus parish in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, as a place for the spiritual, physical, and intellectual growth of parishioners and the community. The Center has multiple performance and event spaces, including our 950-seat Historic Main Stage Theatre.

At ACTC, we believe that Beauty has the capacity to build up culture, transform society, and change lives. We hope to help our patrons contemplate, encounter, and delight in Beauty.

Job Description:

The Technical Supervisor works closely with the Technical Director to support and manage the technical aspects of events and productions at our venue. This role oversees the day to day operations, event programming, purchases, technology integration and maintenance of equipment. This role works in all venues and rooms operated by the Athenaeum Center. This role involves both hands-on technical work and administrative responsibilities. This role is client facing and will need to maintain a calm mission-centered attitude when working with clients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Production Coordination:
  • Work with the Technical Director to create production schedules and coordinate event logistics.
  • Collaborate with clients and production teams to assess technical requirements and create production schedules.
  • Supervise technical crews during events and ensure adherence to safety protocols.
  • Act on rehearsal and main stage event days as any Tier 1 role (including but not limited to: venue supervisor, audio supervisor, lighting supervisor, deck manager, or videographer), and a capability to fill in as other department heads
  • Work as lead A/V technician at all lecture, conference, and related events
  • Design for ACTC events as available and needed
  • Stage management for ACTC events as available and needed
• Stage Setup and Logistics
  • Collaborate with the Technical Director to plan and execute stage setups for a variety of events.
  • Coordinate and oversee deck head work, ensuring all technical elements are in place for each production.
  • Manage the logistics of stage changes, set movements, and other technical aspects during events.
  • Assist in the setup, operation, and maintenance of technical equipment, including lighting, sound, and rigging.
  • Collaborate with the Technical Director to address technical challenges and implement solutions.

Team Leadership:

• Supervise and lead a team of technicians, including lighting, sound, and video engineers, set builders, riggers, stagehands, and any other entertainment-skilled worker in the building.
• Coordinate staffing needs and assign responsibilities for each event.
• Build a working atmosphere desired by outside technicians and maintain a positive image for the Athenaeum
• Maintain servant-leadership on and off the stage

• Client-Facing Relations:
  • Serve as the main point of contact for clients on the day of events, ensuring their technical needs and expectations are met.
  • Provide excellent customer service and address client concerns or requests promptly.
  • Collaborate with clients to understand their specific staging requirements and preferences.
  • Attend final production meetings prior to all rental events for introduction to client and event details
• Documentation:
  • Maintain detailed records of equipment inventory, maintenance, and repairs.
  • Maintain Asset Tiger and google documents
  • Assist in creating both pre-event and post-event technical documentation for each event
  • Assist in updating and creating Vectorwork files for all venues and events.
  • Assist in creating lighting, audio, or rigging designs for performances
  • Maintain post show reports in Momentus
  • Assist in approvals and logs of timesheets for technical roster
• Training and Development:
  • Assist in hiring of new technical roster staff
  • Train and mentor junior technical staff and new roster members.
  • Maintain tech roster grading, training and development program
  • Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in technical theatre.
• Safety and Compliance:
  • Ensure a safe working environment by enforcing safety protocols and guidelines created by the Technical Director.
  • Comply with all relevant laws and regulations pertaining to technical operations.
  • Assist in ensuring all equipment meets safety and compliance standards.
  • Proactively ensure operations or running smoothly

Performances:

• This position should work 80% of performances, rehearsals, load ins, load outs, etc. as a department lead as part of salary. Any meal penalties accrued by the crew will be paid out separately.

Qualifications:

• Maintain a positive attitude
• Previous experience in technical theatre or related roles.
• Proficiency in technical equipment operation and troubleshooting.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to keep a peaceful, Christ-like demeanor in demanding situations
• Ability to work well in a collaborative team environment.
• Knowledge of industry-standard software and equipment.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to the demands of the theatre industry.
• Must have the ability to coordinate several activities at once and quickly analyze and resolve specific problems
• Proven experience in stage management and technical production for live events.
• Strong understanding of stage setups, deck head work, and staging logistics.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for effective client interactions.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Enthusiasm for technical theatre and a commitment to safety.

Reports To:

• This position reports to the Technical Director
• This position’s direct reports when working as a Venue Supervisor at events:
  • Lighting Supervisor
  • Audio Supervisor
  • Video Supervisor
  • Deck Head
  • Master Carpenter
  • Stage Hands
• The position often interacts and collaborates with the Events Manager and House Manager.
• Pay is between $50,000-55,000 plus medical, dental, 401k benefits (up to $15k benefit)