Principal Technical Director, Facilities (Project Hire); Disney Live Entertainment

Disney Live Entertainment (DLE) is a world leader in creating and producing live entertainment experiences that bring joy and magic to audiences around the globe. Our team of talented professionals is dedicated to delivering unforgettable moments through innovative and immersive productions.

The Principal Technical Director will lead and oversee the technical direction of Disney Live Entertainment projects, primarily across the Asia region. This role requires a highly skilled, strategic and experienced individual who can manage complex sustainable long life technical projects, collaborate with creative teams, and ensure the highest standards of quality, reliability and safety across complex, integrated facilities and experiences.

This role will be based in Glendale, CA, with the likelihood of international relocation in the future.

This is a Project Hire role with no guarantee of permanent placement.

You Will:

• Meet company expectations, always prioritizing Safety as the first key in all decision making. Serve as the champion for Safety.

• Lead the technical direction for DLE experiences, including shows, parades, spectaculars, theatrical performance, with a focus on the show and theatrical elements in each entertainment offering.  

• Provide leadership oversight and strategic guidance for DLE projects through a project’s lifecycle.

• Collaborate with creative teams to develop and implement technical solutions that support the artistic vision, enhancing them according to technical progress; while integrating regulatory, safety, reliability, maintenance, and operational challenges.

• Manage technical budgets, schedules, resources, experts, and vendors to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

• Ensure compliance with safety regulations across jurisdictions and company standards.

• Lead cross-functional coordination between construction, architecture, and live entertainment technical teams.

• Collaborate closely with architectural scenographers to ensure creative intent is fully supported by architect and general contractor.

• Translate creative show requirements into actionable technical and architectural inputs.

• Oversee integration of show systems (rigging, AV, FX, automation, lighting) into building design and infrastructure.

• Ensure structural, mechanical, and electrical provisions align with theatrical / stage and entertainment needs.

• Drive planning and phasing for show system installation, commissioning, and handover within construction timelines.

• Establish and coordinate program before facilities design phase through construction, show integration, and opening.

• Manage interface between base building contractors and specialized show vendors and partners.

• Review and validate facilities and show technical integration, documentation, drawings, and equipment specs to ensure feasibility and compliance.

• Collaborate with safety, local code, standard and facility teams to ensure requirements are met for public entertainment spaces.

• Serve as senior technical advisor to leadership, creative team, design teams, and project management stakeholders.

• With direction and approval from the Entertainment Technical, build project teams to lead technical delivery of your designated projects.

• Provide functional leadership to these assigned technical resources (Technical Directors, Assistant Technical Director, Technical Producers, Coordinator, Designers, Engineers, etc.).

• Develop the practice of technical theatre in the international region.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Technical Theatre, Construction management or a related field

• 10+ years of experience in technical direction for live entertainment productions, or related experience.

• Must possess working experience and knowledge in Theater architecture

• Strong and demonstrated leadership and technical project management skills.

• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.

• In-depth knowledge of complex technical systems and equipment used in live entertainment.

• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

• Commitment to safety and quality.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally and ability to relocate internationally in the future.  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a theme park or large-scale entertainment environment.

• Experience with architectural scenography design, engineering and construction.

• Advanced certifications in technical theatre, circus, industrial engineering, hazard analysis or related disciplines.

Additional Information

• Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

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The hiring range for this position is Glendale, CA is $124,900-$167,500 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.