Technical Director

Position Overview :

The Technical Director (TD), Events is responsible for the technical execution of Sparks events, working effectively with internal teams to provide guidance and oversight of all production elements.

The TD delivers technical event solutions that drive client results and meet Sparks financial requirements while maintaining efficient operations, intradepartmental communication, and a cohesive relationship with all technical production parties.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities :

• Support Executive Producer and Account Director and offer technical solutions to help execute live, virtual or hybrid events.
• Responsible for identifying the technical production team of contractors and vendors to support client programs.
• Maintain Sparks standards and processes throughout event planning
• Be a leading voice to the client, when called upon, in finding technical and value build solutions
• Track budget costs throughout the course of a program, identifying scope changes that affect budget to the Executive Producer or client in a clear manner
• Assist with event job closings and margin management
• Assist with event RFPs and pricing proposals
• Research and remain current on industry trends, new technology and equipment to procure for client programs (i.e. media development, audio, visual, lighting, etc.)
• Assist in conceptualization of build outs, event designs and site layouts
• Assist with location scouting, site surveying and permitting where necessary
• Negotiate discounted rates and aggressive pricing with production vendors across all programs
• Review vendor contracts and talent riders to ensure they accurately reflect the scope and budget parameters
• Mentor and coach junior event / production staff to develop skills that can meet changing client needs as well as grow their technical knowledge on programs

Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree and / or 10+ years of technical production experience in a major agency, communications company or production company
• Strong project management skills including budgeting, scheduling, and client relations
• Strong technical expertise and significant experience working with audio visual and production vendors.
• Experience with large scale productions (i.e. festivals, large keynotes, outdoor consumer activations, etc.)
• Strong production competencies to build quotes to requests gear and labor with audio visual vendors and then being able to translate this information to budgets
• Be able to utilize Vectorworks or to effectively brief a Vectorworks designer
• Build labor call sheets and other pertinent onsite or other schedules to align contractors and vendors
• Must be client focused, accountable for results, an innovative thinker, pay attention to details, be nimble and flexible, and maintain positive written and verbal communication while planning with your teams.
• Established experience and ability to lead projects in a team-based environment
• Ability to utilize project management tools such as, Google Docs and the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access)

Preferred Skills :

• Proficient in Google Drive and Microsoft Office
• Strong attention to detail, a positive attitude, and a team player
• Ability to operate within a fast-paced environment
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills

Company Overview :

Sparks is a live + digital brand experience agency. We specialize in creating connection -real human connection -onsite, online or anywhere.

Through a mix of sound strategy, breakthrough creative and flawless execution, we create memorable trade show exhibits, live and virtual events, brand activations, retail stores, corporate environments and other immersive experiences that deepen relationships, inspire action, and build trust and we do it all over the world.

We operate an open and inclusive culture where all recognize, respect, appreciate and encourage individuality regardless of race, gender, age, religion, culture, ideology, economic status, disability or sexual orientation.

We believe that everyone at all levels of our organization is accountable for building this culture and we are challenging ourselves daily to seek and build diversity and equality in any way that we can and we welcome your ideas to do so.

Think you’ve got what it takes to hang with us?

We’ve built our reputation on creating awesome experiences for our clients, but equally important is the experience we create for our people.

Yes, we work hard. But we also make it a point to have fun. And we find our people work that much harder when work doesn’t feel so much like, well, work.

If you share our mindset, we should chat.

We’ve always got our eyes peeled for smart, hungry people who think that what we do isn’t so much a job as it is a way of life.

And while any company can supply stuff like benefits (and, of course we do too!) our greatest benefit comes from the amazing people you’ll interact with daily, who will challenge and push you to think harder, be more creative and love what you do.

Sparks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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