Assistant Technical Director

Title: Assistant Technical Director
Reports to: Technical Director
Department: Production
Employment Classification: Full-time, year-round, exempt
Salary: $62,000-$70,000/year depending on experience
Benefits: Full medical, dental and vision coverage; retirement plan with employer match;
and highly competitive PTO, leave and holiday time policies. Full benefits package detailed below.
Full Job Description (PDF)

The compensation and level of this role are flexible based on the variety of experience and qualifications brought forward by candidates. While all candidates may not meet every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply if you have some of the qualifications and a strong eagerness to learn.

Summary, Scope & Purpose

The Santa Fe Opera, a world-renowned opera company producing a 5-show summer repertory season in its unique outdoor theater, is seeking qualified applicants for Assistant Technical Director. This year-round position will collaborate with the Technical Direction Team, and is responsible for assisting in the engineering, drafting and directing the construction of all scenery and stage operations.

This position is well suited for a safety-oriented and skilled technical director who enjoys drafting scenery for construction by expert artisans in a fully-equipped scene shop, and managing and mentoring the next generation of scenic technicians with differing levels of ability. This role has the opportunity to collaborate with leading designers, fabricators, artists and other world-renowned companies within the theater industry.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include collaborating with scenic designers; analyzing scenic designs for constructability, cost and safety; efficiently engineering and drafting scenery; and providing direction and leadership for scene shop carpenters and the stage operations team in the construction and operation of all scenic elements.

Desired Skills & Requirements

Skills required include understanding and implementation of safe practices in a theatrical environment; comprehensive technical theater and scenery construction skills; knowledge of a variety of construction methods, materials and techniques; proficiency in AutoCAD; and a willingness and ability to work within rigorous timelines and with a variety of personalities and skill levels. The ability to use standard scene shop equipment, to work from ladders and personnel lifts, to wear a respirator per OSHA guidelines, and have a valid driver’s license and ability to drive a panel van or full-sized pickup, is also required.

Schedule, Compensation, Benefits

A 40-hour work week is typical September through early April. Mid-April through August, during the summer festival season, the workweek is extended to meet the needs of the summer festival season. The summer season can be challenging but is very rewarding!

The salary range for this salaried, exempt position is $62,000-70,000/year depending on experience. This position is anticipated to begin on or around October 1, 2025.

Benefits include comprehensive and low premium medical, dental and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability, life insurance and long-term care paid fully by the Opera; immediate eligibility for the Opera’s 403(b) retirement plan with employer match at the next open enrollment period after one year of work; paid vacation policy starting at 2 weeks and increasing after one year of work, along with sick and bereavement leave, one personal day, and 11 paid holidays throughout the year. Staff are also able to take advantage of discount tickets at the Opera and other Santa Fe venues, as well as a number of local businesses.

This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. The fundamental job requirements are included, and these are the essential job functions. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

The Santa Fe Opera supports employees with its robust safety program, devotion to environmental sustainability and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion while setting the industry standard for stagecraft. The Santa Fe Opera has an industry-wide reputation as an excellent employer, providing rewarding opportunities amid a setting of great natural beauty. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the Santa Fe Opera celebrates diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, creed, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, political affiliation or philosophy. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.