CHELSEA FACTORY

Technical Director

Job Description

Job Classification: Exempt and Full-Time

Reports to: Director of Production and Venue Operations

Scheduling: Varies based on production and performance schedule

Job Overview:

Chelsea Factory is looking to engage a Technical Director who will collaborate with creative, administrative, and production teams to lead and direct all technical elements for the venue’s programming. This includes design, drafting, engineering, building, and scheduling of all production aspects of Chelsea Factory’s artistic and rental activities. Reporting to the Director of Production and Venue Operations, the Technical Director will have strong budget and scheduling skills, work well under pressure, and be able to multitask. They should be experienced with all aspects of production and be comfortable making decisions where required, applying excellent judgment and project management skills to all activities.

The Technical Director should have strong leadership skills; a spirit of collaboration and cooperation; an entrepreneurial mindset with an ability to develop creative solutions to production challenges; and should demonstrate an aptitude and willingness to brainstorm creative strategies for productions and events still in their concept and development phase. You must be curious, have a passion for production and demonstrate a willingness to learn new things. A sense of humor, humility, and commitment to promoting a positive work environment is essential.

Experience in Dance,Theater and Music as well as event production is key to the success of the role, as is an open, creative approach to the production process. Sensitivity to varying artists’ and clients’ needs and patience amidst changing priorities will help immeasurably in this position. The desire and ability to train and lead crews of all disciplines will be highly valued.

The Technical Director will be expected to uphold the mission of Chelsea Factory and its commitment to being an anti-racist organization. Chelsea Factory is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and welcomes candidates who have demonstrable experience advocating for historically excluded communities. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the performing arts field are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Responsibilities:

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• Lead and direct the technical design, drafting, engineering, building, and scheduling for all programming
• Help lead and coordinate the installation, programming, and continued maintenance of all lighting, sound, and video equipment and systems
• Develop and implement storage plans and inventories for all equipment and tools in the technical shops and performance facilities
• Develop detailed plans for all load ins, changeovers, runs, and strikes including the development of design drawings and calendar management
• Maintain all technical drawings of space and equipment
• Attend and contribute to all production meetings with Chelsea Factory Staff and Artistic partners; Maintain open communication with all staff and partners as needed
• Supervise safe operating procedures for venue
• Assist in the hiring and training of run, install, and build crew as needed
• Prepare shop orders for all equipment rental needs
• Participate in achieving Chelsea Factory’s artistic goals by providing consistent and high-quality production support
• Secure F03 Fireguard Certification for Indoor Place of Public Assembly from the FDNY within 3 months of employment, as well as other relevant certifications

Qualifications:

• 3+ years experience in theatrical or event production with artists and technicians of all disciplines
• Experience in all aspects of live performance production and entertainment technology
• Strong knowledge of sound system design theory, patching, and troubleshooting
• Knowledge of all aspects of theatrical lighting technologies and experience with a variety of luminaires, dimming and power distribution systems, control systems, L.E.D technologies, and related electrical theory and practical skill
• Advanced knowledge of safe rigging practices
• Proficient ability to draft CAD drawings in Vectorworks
• Excellent computer skills in Word Processing and Spreadsheets; Proficiency with various software programs including Google Suite and online project management tools
• Ability to work a flexible schedule as is common in the live performance industry including some nights, weekends, and holidays

Salary and Benefits:

• Exempt Salary of $70k+
• Paid Holidays
• Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
• Generous Paid Time Off

To Apply:

• Please submit a brief cover letter with a short explanation of how your story aligns with the opening of a new space in New York City; If written word is not your best means of self expression, please feel free to create an audio description or video recording
• Materials should be sent as PDFs with your name in title of file (e.g. “Bruce Wayne - Resume”)
• Email your materials to jobs@chelseafactory.org with Technical Director in the subject line

Applications will be accepted through Oct 29, 2021; Initial outreach will begin the week of Oct 25, 2021.

Chelsea Factory is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to hire staff members who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. All positions at Chelsea Factory are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, employment status, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Chelsea Factory makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities to enable them to perform all essential job functions. All are encouraged to apply.

ABOUT CHELSEA FACTORY

547 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001

(between 10th and 11th Avenues)

HISTORY

Built in 1914, Caldwell Factory is believed to have housed one of the first fleets of NYC yellow cabs. Eight decades later, the building served as acclaimed photographer Annie Liebovitz’ studio and home until 2005. Subsequently, the space was transformed into the rehearsal and performance home of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company through 2015, when the building became a highly sought-after event venue until it closed down in March 2020.

THE IDEA

We are launching Chelsea Factory, a new arts and community innovation hub in the former Caldwell Factory space.

Chelsea Factory exists to propel the future of the arts in New York City by providing strong support, responsive partnerships, and transformative experiences for artists, organizations, and audiences. As a catalyst for social and cultural entrepreneurship, Chelsea Factory imagines an arts and culture sector that is more sustainable, more diverse, and significantly stronger than it was before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chelsea Factory will be multi-disciplinary across its programming. With an initial 5-year operating model, we are committed to being an inclusive and expansive space, prioritizing support for historically excluded New York City based artists. By offering highly subsidized performance and rehearsal space, Chelsea Factory will serve as a partner to artists, ensembles, and cultural institutions who are working tirelessly to respond to a post-covid world while addressing systemic racial inequality. With defined resources and a flexible programming framework, Chelsea Factory seeks to fulfill unmet needs of its partners and to provide transformational experiences that outlast the duration of any formal partnership.

In year one, we will offer residencies for emerging artists and ensembles, as well as serve as a partner venue for cultural organizations throughout NYC. To serve our immediate neighbors, Chelsea Factory will also engage in community arts programming, educational partnerships, civic gatherings, and more.

With First Republic Bank and Founder Jim Herbert’s leading support, Chelsea Factory models a multi-faceted approach to philanthropy that leverages private rentals, both individual and corporate financial resources, and activates an expansive corporate client base.

Undergoing renovations now, Chelsea Factory will be a flexible space with two possible performance venues, seating up to 190 individuals based on the chosen configuration. We will open in late Fall 2021 and will host over 90 artistic events per year.