This position has been deemed critical by the School of Humanities and Sciences Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring freeze.
The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 24 departments and 24 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university’s largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.
Department/Program Description: STANFORD UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF THEATER & PERFORMANCE STUDIES (TAPS): At TAPS, theory and practice are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing. We prepare our students to become scholar-artists fluent in both of these languages. The integration of the practical knowledge of theater-making with the humanistic knowledge of the history and theory of performance is central to our department’s vision.
Position Summary: The Department of Theatre and Performance Studies (TAPS) is seeking a Technical Director. The Technical Director will work under general supervision of the Production Manager and must possess and demonstrate a strong leadership practice while being rooted in a team-based, educational, and collaborative environment. This position must also exhibit a strong desire to continuously learn new and unfamiliar technologies and practices as they relate to the live performance industry.
The Technical Director, in collaboration with production staff and faculty, will oversee the planning, execution, and strike of three mainstage shows and three developmental stage shows per year in addition to other departmental events and classes. This position supervises and schedules Bargaining Unit positions, professional overhire staff, and student employees. As such, the ability to effectively manage and schedule employees is critical. In addition to production responsibilities, this role includes advising for the student-run Nitery Experimental Theatre, IT support for production systems and coordination with facilities on performance space maintenance and upgrades.
This is a 100% FTE, continuing position, exempt position. This position will be based on the Stanford campus and will be considered for an option of telecommuting (hybrid of working on-site and off-site), subject to operational need.
If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply. Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the School of Humanities and Sciences.
CORE DUTIES:
● Initiate and lead meetings with stakeholders to plan scope and format of events, establish and monitor budgets, and/or review administrative procedures and event progress.
● Serve as project leader on specific events, coordinating teams that plan, implement, and manage all aspects of events such as: marketing, vendors, fan experience, ticket office, concessions, press and/or media.
● Responsible for budget planning and management, venue management and equipment and facilities management for specific events.
● Oversee development of registration strategy and logistics.
● Build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners.
● Procure and coordinate vendor services. Negotiate vendor contracts to minimize liability and risks.
● Research and provide recommendations for potential event locations, and evaluate alternatives.
● Investigate, document and report complaints regarding all aspects of events including customer service, crowd control and staff issues.
● May inspect event facilities for maintenance, janitorial and fire safety issues, ensuring enforcement of Environmental Health and Safety and other facility regulations. Arrange for correction if issues are found.
● Communicate with visiting entities such as vendors, teams, coaches and officials for assigned events.
● Train and supervise junior event planners in proper execution and implementation of events.
● May oversee support staff, students, and contingent event staff.
* Other duties may also be assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
● Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
● Demonstrated success managing event teams and planning, developing budgets, and meeting budget goals.
● Excellent project management skills, and the ability to manage complex timelines and multiple projects.
● Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
● Excellent interpersonal, communication, time management, and customer service skills. Must be well organized and detail oriented.
● Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to cultivate partnerships.
● Demonstrated high level of confidence in making strategic decisions, good judgment, and innovative and creative problem-solving skills.
● Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, File Maker Pro and knowledge of cloud applications such as Google Docs and Forms.
● Ability to interact and successfully collaborate with a broad spectrum of contributing groups and customers.
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:
● Valid Non-Commercial Class California Driver’s License.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
● Strong experience with AV systems in live entertainment.
● Experience working with students.
● Experience with theatrical costumes including proper care and maintenance.
● Experience managing and supervising CBA-covered employees.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
● Frequently stand/walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, and use a telephone.
● Occasionally kneel/crawl, twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, and grasp forcefully, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 21-40 pounds.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a California Non-commercial Class license and drive day or night.
* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
● May require some travel and working evenings and weekends.
The expected pay range for this position is $82,650 to $101,690 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Why Stanford is for You
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
● Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
● A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
● A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
● Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
● Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at stanfordelr@stanford.edu. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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