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Job Description / Duties

Position Summary:
The Technical Director (TD) leads the safe, efficient, and professional technical production and stage operations of all events at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, including performing arts presentations, rentals, community events, rehearsals and special engagements. The TD is responsible for production advancement, technical planning, labour coordination, venue systems stewardship (stage, lighting, audio, video, rigging and back-of-house operations), and maintaining a strong safety culture safety culture through effective training, supervision and safe work practices. The TD ensures every event is delivered safely, professionally and on schedule. This role includes both leadership and occasional hands-on technical operation, as required by event scope, staffing and budget limitations. The TD supervises WMCA technical staff and coordinates a primarily casual, event-by-event crew.

Key Responsibilities
1) Event Advancing & Technical Planning
Advance all events by reviewing technical riders/specs and confirming venue capabilities, schedules, equipment needs, and staffing plans.
Develop event documentation (ie. crew calls, schedules, run-of-show notes, patching plans, changeover plans, and venue-provided equipment lists).
Identify technical gaps early and coordinate rentals, vendors, or alternate solutions within approved parameters.
2) Leadership, Supervision & Crew Development (Non-Union / Mostly Casual)
Supervise the Senior Theatre Technician: assign priorities, coach performance, support professional development, and set clear standards.
Recruit, onboard, and maintain a pool of casual event technicians; match competencies to event needs.
Provide direction on event calls: roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and expected standards of work.
Build repeatable processes that support the growth objective of a “lead/oversee” TD model (e.g., standard call procedures, training checklists, documentation, and cross-training).
3) Show Call Direction & Hands-On Technical Support (As Needed)
Lead load-ins/outs, rehearsals, performances, changeovers, and strikes; coordinate priorities and troubleshoot under time pressure.
When required due to event scale or staffing, step into hands-on operating or technician roles while maintaining overall responsibility for safe execution and quality.
Establish and maintain clear on-site chain-of-command so work remains coordinated even when the TD is operating.
4) Safety & Compliance (Critical Accountabilities)
Lead safety culture: hazard identification, pre-call briefings/toolbox talks, incident reporting, and corrective actions.
Ensure workers (Senior Theatre Technician and casual crew) receive appropriate instruction, training, and supervision; ensure equipment and work areas are maintained to support safe operations.
Ensure safe practices for rigging/work at heights, electrical distribution, lifts/MEWPs (if used), stage machinery, and backstage operations according to applicable requirements and manufacturer guidance.
Enforce venue safety rules with visiting productions and contractors; stop unsafe work when necessary.
5) Venue Technical Systems Stewardship & Maintenance Planning
Oversee safe use and upkeep of technical systems (lighting, audio, video/projection, rigging, stage/backstage equipment, comms, power distribution).
Maintain inventories and consumables; keep storage, backstage, and shop areas safe and organized.
Coordinate preventative maintenance schedules and repairs; maintain basic records/logs for key systems and equipment condition.
6) Budgeting, Purchasing & Vendor Coordination
Support event cost estimates and cost controls for technical labour, rentals, and services within established approvals.
Obtain quotes and coordinate rentals/returns; manage vendor relationships for reliability and value.
Provide recommendations for technical improvements and capital priorities aligned with organizational objectives.
7) Collaboration & Client Service
Partner with internal teams (programming, rentals, FOH, facility operations) to deliver seamless events.
Communicate clearly with clients and touring productions to set expectations and ensure readiness from advance through strike.

Qualifications / Required Skills

- 3–5+ years of progressively responsible experience in technical theatre/live events (performing arts centre, theatre, touring, festival, or similar).
- Demonstrated leadership coordinating crews and delivering live events to professional standards.
- Strong technical competency in at least one discipline lighting/electrics, audio, video, stage/rigging) with working knowledge across others.
- Proven ability to read and interpret technical documentation (riders, plots, schedules) and translate it into practical staffing and execution.
- Commitment to safe work practices, including training and supervision responsibilities consistent with Manitoba workplace safety expectations.
- Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills.
Preferred / Assets:
- Post-secondary training in technical theatre/production or equivalent experience.
- Safety/technical certifications (e.g., work at heights/fall protection, lift/MEWP, first aid/CPR, WHMIS).
- Experience building crew pools and standard procedures in a casual/event-call environment.

Additional Information

Working Conditions / Physical Demands:
- Evening/weekend work, variable hours, and show-week peaks.
- Physical work including lifting/carrying (min. 50lbs), ladder/stair use, and occasional work at heights (with proper training and controls).

This is an exempt, salaried position. Hours will vary with event activity and additional hours are managed through authorized time-in-lieu as operationally feasible in accordance with WMCA policy. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits for full-time positions available after 6 month probation include employer paid dental and vision and pension, life and disability plans with employer matching.

Salary: $50,000 - $60,000

Contact Information

To Apply: Email resume + cover letter to gm@wmca.ca by June 1st, 2026.
The WMCA welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We thank each applicant for your interest; however, only the candidates selected for an interview will be contacted further.
To learn more about the WMCA, visit www.wmca.ca. For answers to clarifying questions, please contact gm@wmca.ca.

Employer Profile

The Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium is the premiere performing arts venue for the region. As a multi‐purpose venue, the WMCA hosts touring professional entertainers, community theatre productions, dance competitions, school concerts, regional ceremonies, and varied celebrations. Generations of audience members and participants have experienced a diversity of events at the WMCA, making this a vibrant cultural hub of the Western Manitoba community.