Technical Supervisor / Assistant Technical Director Job at Athenaeum Center for

Overview

Job Title: Technical Supervisor
Location: Chicago, IL
Terms: Full-Time

The Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture (ACTC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting fine arts, cultural programming, and spiritual development for Catholics and the general public in Chicago, Illinois. ACTC invites people into encounters with Beauty and aims to revitalize the Catholic tradition of the arts from a historic building in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. The Center includes multiple venues, including a 950-seat Historic Main Stage Theatre. The role involves hands-on technical work, administrative responsibilities, and client-facing duties, with a 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 a Tier 1 role (including but not limited to: venue supervisor, audio supervisor, lighting supervisor, deck manager, or videographer); capable of filling in as other department heads
  • Serve 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
  • Plan and execute stage setups for a variety of events in collaboration with the Technical Director
  • Oversee deck head work and ensure all technical elements are in place for each production
  • Manage stage changes, set movements, and other technical aspects during events
  • Assist in setup, operation, and maintenance of 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 (lighting, sound, video engineers, set builders, riggers, stagehands, and other skilled workers)
• Coordinate staffing needs and assign responsibilities for each event
• Foster a constructive working atmosphere 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 event days, ensuring technical needs and expectations are met
• Provide excellent customer service and address client concerns promptly
• Collaborate with clients to understand staging requirements and preferences
• Attend final production meetings prior to rental events for introductions to client and event details

Documentation

• Maintain detailed records of equipment inventory, maintenance, and repairs
• Maintain AssetTiger and Google documents
• Assist in creating pre-event and post-event technical documentation
• Assist in updating Vectorworks 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 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 equipment meets safety and compliance standards
• Proactively ensure operations run 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 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
• Direct reports when acting as Venue Supervisor at events: Lighting Supervisor, Audio Supervisor, Video Supervisor, Deck Head, Master Carpenter, Stage Hands
• The position often interacts with the Events Manager and House Manager
• Salary: $50,000–$55,000 plus medical, dental, and 401k benefits (up to $15k value)