"Technical Director, Lighting Designer and Dance Theater Manager"

Job Summary:

The Department of Dance at Skidmore College invites applications from qualified candidates for a position as a full-time technical director/lighting designer to begin September 2026. This is a 10 months per year position. This position serves as an integral member of the department and oversees all aspects of department productions and management of the dance center facilities. This position also comes with teaching obligations of two-credits per academic year alongside student mentorship opportunities, as assigned.

Responsibilities:

• Create lighting designs in collaboration with choreographers for 2-3 concerts per academic year
• Oversee all aspects of production and ticketing for dance department events/curriculum and collaborate with department production and administrative team
• Oversee and implement safety policies and protocols for the dance center, dance theater, and all productions
• Maintain and improve dance center facilities and equipment; coordinate building maintenance
• Hire, train, and manage student stage crew for all departmental productions
• Coordinate department schedule in relation to productions and manage space reservations/scheduling for dance facilities
• Teach one 2-credit Dance Production course each academic year (required for the dance major)
• Mentor student lighting designs for senior projects as determined/assigned. Serve as a resource for students
• Regular attendance at all departmental and production meetings

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in any related area with 2 or more years of professional experience demonstrating progressive managerial experience. We recognize that “professional experience” can encompass many kinds of work within the technical fields. A successful candidate will demonstrate both experience and enthusiasm for managing, teaching, and mentoring students alongside a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Priority consideration will be given to candidates with:

• Experience with lighting design for dance
• Experience with facilities management and oversight
• Experience working and teaching in a higher education setting
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple projects and deadlines

To Apply:

A complete application should include:

1. a cover letter speaking to the candidate’s required and preferred qualifications
2. a current resume
3. contact information for three professional references who can speak to the qualifications of the candidate’s teaching and/or artistic work.

Application Deadline:

Priority will be given to applications received by Jan 1, 2026 at 11:59pm

Salary:

$58,000 - $62,500 for this 10 months per year position commensurate with experience

EEO STATEMENT

Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community and, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, dating violence, or stalking, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Employment at Skidmore College is contingent upon an acceptable post-offer background check result.

CREATIVE THOUGHT MATTERS.

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position

About Skidmore College

Skidmore is a highly selective liberal arts college with a reputation for its creative approaches to just about everything. With its relatively small size and student-faculty ratio, the College is a close-knit academic community. Skidmore is known for its faculty of teacher-scholars devoted to the instruction and mentoring of undergraduates; approximately 2,400 talented men and women from some 47 states and 46 countries.

In the universe of selective, private liberal arts colleges, Skidmore's distinctiveness is expressed in the statement that "Creative Thought Matters". This idea reflects not only the historical strength of the College's programs in the fine and performing arts but also the understanding that creativity is required for achievement in any area of human endeavor.

The city of Saratoga Springs is widely recognized as one of America's great communities. It is located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, within a three-to-four-hour drive from New York City, Boston or Montreal. Travel & Leisure calls Saratoga Springs one of "America's Greatest Main Streets" as well as "one of the best college towns in the nation," Money Magazine says it's one of the nation's top 100 places to live, and Princeton Review describes it as a "perfect college town." It's a community rich in history and tradition. Famed mineral waters, a Revolutionary War battlefield, and the nation's oldest thoroughbred racetrack represent portions of that history. Also, it's a community of arts and culture. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is the summer home to the New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra, and a performing venue for top rock and jazz musicians.

The Skidmore College community awaits your arrival, so if you welcome challenges and are interested in making a difference, come join us!