Technical Director (Stage Manager)

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Technical Director to join our Theatre and Film team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. This role is a 10.5-month cyclic campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $53,136 - $71,472 (based on a 12-month appointment) annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.  

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year.  In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025. 

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator. 

The Role:

The Technical Director position combines the roles of Technical Director, Production Manager, and Stage Supervisor, encompassing a broad range of responsibilities vital to the success of the department's productions and venues. Technical Director, the role involves directing and overseeing the construction of scenery for three mainstage and two minor stage productions annually. This includes managing all technical aspects of these productions and providing support for students and other productions. Supervision of student work crews is also a key responsibility. Production Manager, the role involves overseeing and managing the schedule, spaces, and budget for all departmental productions and other partner projects. This requires close coordination with departmental and partner stakeholders to ensure that all productions are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. Stage Supervisor, the role requires coordinating and managing the daily schedule and operations of the McConnell Auditorium and the Tower Theatre. This includes overseeing technical and logistical arrangements, ensuring the smooth running of events and activities, and maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency within these venues. This position directly affects the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by developing and promoting programs and opportunities that are engaging and welcoming to all students. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.

Job Duties

Technical Director and Scene Shop Supervisor
- Supervise technical elements of the production, including set construction, rigging, props painting, and special effects.
- Create plans and technical drawings for scenery.
- Oversee the construction, painting, and installation of scenery.
- Create itemized estimates of materials and labor for scenery.
- Maintain stage equipment, shop tools, scenery and props storage.
- Manage scene shop personnel and approve scene shop payroll.
- Order materials and bench stock.
- Generate key cards for students.

Production Manager
- Oversee all aspects of production, ensuring alignment with the pedagogical outcomes and artistic vision.
- Facilitate communication for productions. Maintain online callboard system.
- Develop and manage theatre production schedule for department productions and McConnell Events.
- Create and manage production budget within guidelines established by the department chair.
- Schedule and run shop heads, production, and design meetings.
- Assign students to production roles and facilitate application class enrollment.
- Manage space use for rehearsal, production, special events, and rentals.
- Perform post-production reviews (debriefing).

McConnell Stage Supervisor
- Oversee events and rentals in theatre facilities.
- Coordinate with outside clients to define requirements for events and rentals.
- Train and schedule event staff.
- Approve event staff payroll.
- Bill clients for events and rentals.

Health and Safety Compliance
- Oversee the Department safety program.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations, fire codes, and all venue-specific rules related to technical equipment and stage operations.
- Conduct safety briefings and enforce proper safety protocols for all crew members and staff.
- Manage risk assessments and implement preventative measures for potential hazards in the production process.
- Maintain department chemical inventory.

Supervisor Duties 
- Actively engage in recruitment and hiring new employees.
- Clearly define performance expectations, ensure accountability, and provide ongoing informal feedback, coaching, and mentoring. Conduct formal performance evaluations.
- Ensure employees have necessary resources. 
- Oversee and direct the work of staff; serve as mentor, coach, and leader, and resolve complaints or issues.
- Promote professional development opportunities.
- Develop and foster supportive working relationships, motivation and engagement.
- Communicate information to staff on an ongoing basis to influence staff engagement and to be a part of a larger community. 
- Take corrective action in a timely manner.
- Recognize and reward employees for good performance.
- Schedule employee work hours/shifts; monitor hours worked; approve payable time and absence requests.
- Adjust leadership style as needed to achieve results.
- Recognize value of and promote a workforce of belonging. Value and encourage diverse perspectives, creativity, and teamwork.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• M.A. or M.F.A. in technical theatre.
• Two or more years of experience working in a theatre scene shop (fabrication).
• AutoCAD 2D & 3D or Vectorworks.
• Computer skills with proficiencies in Microsoft Office 365, Teams, and SharePoint Budgeting, Structural Design, Theatrical carpentry, woodworking, welding, and rigging. 
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience fostering a supportive and effective workplace while working with students and/or colleagues to uphold institutional excellence.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with budgeting scenic elements.
• Demonstrated skills in project planning.
• Demonstrated success in working with undergraduate students. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of theatre safety/shop safety/PPE/and applicable laws and regulations governing work in a theatrical fabrication shop.
• ETCP Certified Rigger - Theatre.
• OSHA 30 Hour General Industry Certificate.
• Experience teaching at the university level.
• A record of promoting institutional excellence in the work environment. 
• Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values. 

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: This position is based on the range 49 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $53,136 and maximum annual salary of $71,472. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. 

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch); some evenings and weekends / 10.5-month cyclic

Working Conditions: Work is performed in both an office setting and a shop/lab setting with frequent or constant in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to meet the physical demands of running a shop with 5- 15 student employees in it. Stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, lifting of up to 100 lbs., walking, climbing ladders, carrying or moving of objects and other movements are required. Evening or weekend work will be required on a regular basis. 

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator. 

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting; 
   
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
   
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: January 30, 2026

Second Screening: February 9, 2026

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.