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About the Role

Van Wyck & Van Wyck is seeking a Technical Director to own technical vision, standards, and execution across all events and special projects. This is a senior, hands-on technical leadership role for someone who can move fluidly between drafting CAD floorplans, reviewing a rigging plot, calculating an electrical load, and mentoring project team members. The Technical Director partners with the design team from the earliest concept stage to assess technical feasibility, sets the technical standards that Production Managers and on-site staff execute against, and serves as the final technical authority on complex builds.

Responsibilities

Set technical standards and specifications for lighting, audio-visual, HVAC, rigging, tenting, and floor plan systems across all events
Produce advanced technical drawings and floor plans in AutoCAD for complex builds, in addition to reviewing and approving drawings from vendors and staff
Review and approve CAD floor plans, load calculations, power distribution plans, and rigging plots for structural and life-safety compliance
Evaluate new equipment, technology, and vendors to keep the company's technical capabilities current
Maintain the company's library of technical drawings, specifications, and vendor documentation
Lead technical pre-production for complex and large-scale events, including site surveys and engineering coordination
Partner with the design team at the concept stage to assess the technical feasibility of creative concepts
Coordinate directly with structural engineers, electrical contractors, and code officials on permit and compliance requirements
Serve as the final technical authority on-site for complex builds, resolving engineering-level issues in real time
Direct and mentor Production Managers and on-site technical staff
Build and maintain department-wide technical training programs and standard operating procedures
Own relationships and contract negotiations with major technical vendors across lighting, AV, rigging, tenting, and HVAC
Set escalation protocols so the event teams know when to bring in engineering-level expertise
Own the technical department budget across the event portfolio, including equipment investment and capital planning
Ensure company-wide compliance with safety, electrical, and structural codes across all markets served
Track technical spend against projections and report on department-level cost efficiency
Deliver technical debriefs after complex events, capturing lessons learned for future standards
Represent the technical department in leadership planning for the event portfolio's production capacity

Requirements

8+ years in technical event production, with hands-on experience across lighting, audio-visual, rigging, tenting, and HVAC systems
Advanced-level drafting ability in AutoCAD required — including floor plans, load calculations, power distribution, and rigging plots
Strong working knowledge of rigging and structural engineering principles, electrical load calculations, and life-safety code compliance
Proven experience managing and mentoring Production Managers and other support team members
Track record negotiating and managing contracts with major technical vendors
Department or portfolio-level budget management experience, not limited to single-event budgets
Ability to travel nationally and internationally and work flexible hours for site visits and events

Skills

AutoCAD
Vectorworks
Rigging
Structural engineering
Electrical load calculations
Life-safety code compliance
Lighting
Audio-visual
HVAC
Tenting
Floor plan systems

Location

New York, NY

Work Type

Full-Time
On-site

Experience Level

Senior

Salary/Compensations

$150,000 to $175,000

Benefits

Discretionary PTO policy
Medical, dental, and vision coverage
FSA and HSA options
Retirement benefit with discretionary employer match
One Medical and Talkspace memberships
Cell phone reimbursement
Pre-tax commuter benefits
Annual gym reimbursement
Professional development opportunities
Team building and volunteer opportunities
Dog-friendly office

About the Company

Van Wyck & Van Wyck is a family-founded event design and production firm creating highly personal celebrations around the world.
The firm brings more than two decades of experience to occasions ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale destination celebrations.
Van Wyck & Van Wyck is the sister company of Workshop, which designs, builds, and produces events that bring brands to life for corporate and commercial clients.
Together, the two companies share a commitment to original design, thoughtful service, and bringing ambitious ideas to life.
We work closely and care deeply about the quality of the work and how we work together.
We value curiosity, accountability, direct communication, good judgment, generosity, and follow-through.
People at Van Wyck & Van Wyck contribute wherever a project needs them while respecting the expertise each person brings.
In-person collaboration is central to our creative process.
We also invest in professional development, meaningful benefits, team outings, volunteer opportunities, and a workplace designed for collaboration.

Equal Opportunity

Van Wyck & Van Wyck and Workshop are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, reproductive health decision-making, marital status, partnership status, familial status, caregiver status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, age, disability, arrest or conviction record, genetic information or predisposition, military or veteran status, lawful source of income, unemployment status, height or weight, hair texture or protective hairstyles, credit history, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact Frank@vanwyck.net