Design & Technical Director

Texas Lutheran University (TLU) invites applications for a Design & Technical Director to support the Division of the Arts (DOTA), which includes Dramatic Media, Music, and Visual Arts. This is a full-time staff position designed for a highly skilled theatre and production professional who thrives in collaborative environments and is passionate about mentoring students through hands-on, professional-level practice.

While serving the Division of the Arts, this position primarily works in the Dramatic Media department, anchoring its theatrical production season and leading design and technical execution for faculty-led performances. The role also collaborates across Music and Visual Arts and works in coordination with the Director of University Events to elevate the production quality and strategic impact of DOTA programming across campus.

About the Role

The Design & Technical Director primarily supports Dramatic Media, providing leadership in scenic, lighting, sound, projection, and overall production design for theatrical productions. This position serves as the central technical architect for faculty-led performances, mentors student designers and crews, and ensures high artistic and technical standards in performance spaces.

In addition, the position contributes to the broader Division of the Arts by:

• Coordinating recording and archiving of Music recitals and productions for accreditation and institutional documentation
• Assisting with inventory systems and asset management for Visual Arts facilities
• Supporting shared production workflows across Arts venues.

Working in partnership with the Director of University Events, this role helps align artistic production standards, scheduling, technical systems, and event logistics to ensure cohesive, high-quality experiences in campus Arts venues.

The position plays a key role in production design, technical management, student mentorship, safety oversight, documentation, and cross-departmental coordination, while helping build sustainable systems and professional practices across Arts spaces.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Design/Technical Director for two faculty-led Dramatic Media productions per year
• Provide technical leadership for Dramatic Media productions as the primary area of responsibility
• Support DOTA concerts, recitals, exhibitions, and special events in coordination with faculty and the Director of University Events
• Collaborate regularly with the DOTA Faculty and Director of University Events to align venue usage, technical needs, staffing models, and production calendars
• Manage and help maintain Arts facilities including the Studio Theatre, Weston Center, Court Street properties, Scheuch Fine Arts Center, Scenic Shop, Gallery, and ceramics studio, ensuring coordinated use with DOTA faculty and University Events
• Supervise and mentor student crews and student employees, training students to support both Dramatic Media productions and select university-wide DOTA events
• Oversee tools, equipment, stock, and inventory across Arts spaces in collaboration with DOTA faculty and Director of University Events
• Coordinate recording, archiving, and documentation of Music recitals and events (for accreditation and institutional use)
• Teach/Co-Teach 1–2 courses per semester in Dramatic Media (as assigned)
• Support a culture of collaboration, safety, efficiency, and professional best practices across the Division of the Arts.

Qualifications

Required

• Significant professional experience in technical direction, design, production management, live events, or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and with campus event leadership
• Strong organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Experience mentoring or supervising students, interns, or early-career artists
• Commitment to safety, inclusive practices, and student learning.

Preferred (but not required)

• MFA or equivalent professional experience
• University or educational teaching experience
• Experience working across theatre, music, film, live events, or university event production
• Familiarity with production documentation, archiving, and inventory systems

TLU welcomes applicants who may not follow a traditional academic pathway but bring a strong professional portfolio and industry experience.