Principal Technical Director, Show (Project Hire/Internal Assignment)

Through innovative storytelling and collaboration, Disney Live Entertainment crafts, produces, and delivers remarkable and engaging entertainment experiences! From the intimate to the spectacular, our work can be seen at Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships, and other locations the world over. This diverse team – representing a wide variety of fields and talents from technical directors, writers and lighting designers to choreographers, cosmetologists, and music producers – brings magical worlds to life through technical expertise, performance excellence, incomparable ingenuity, unparalleled spectacle… and a dash of pixie dust!

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 is a Project Hire or Internal Assignment role with no guarantee of permanent placement. This role reports directly to the Executive Entertainment Technical - International.

What You Will Do:

• 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, and special events, 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: blue-sky; concept development; feasibility (develop and validate scope, schedule, and budget); design development; production (bid package, bid process, vendor selection, construction/fabrication, and factory acceptance testing); technical delivery (installation, programming, test & adjust, site acceptance testing, commissioning, training, rehearsal, and turnover); comprehensive final documentation and sustainment criteria.

• 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.

• Oversee the design, installation, and maintenance strategies of complex technical systems, including stage machinery, show control, OT & IT network, lighting, sound, video, and special effects and facilities aspects.

• 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, company standards and Design Assurance / Hazard Assessment processes.

• Provide technical expertise and support to production teams during rehearsals and performances and ensure a smooth final completion handover to the operational and maintenance teams.

• Mentor and develop regional technical staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

• Stay current with industry trends and advancements in technology to ensure Disney Live Entertainment remains at the forefront of innovation.

• Participate in the development of company standards.

• 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 (Senior Technical Director, Technical Directors, Assistant Technical Director, Technical Producers, Coordinator, Designers, Engineers, etc.).

• In line with overall direction from the Executive Technical, develop the practice of technical theatre in the international region.

• Support regional strategies to benefit the delivery of technical entertainment product – inclusive of vendor strategy, benchmarking, talent development, etc.

• Regularly report to and take direction from the Project Steering Committee in relation to the project(s) you are leading.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• 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.  

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Technical Theatre, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

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.