Technical Director Entertainment

The Technical Director Entertainment (TDE) is responsible for the onboard supervision of operation and maintenance and of the technical and artistic integrity of all production elements (lighting, sound, rigging, stage automation, entertainment systems, etc.) in relation to all produced entertainment. They are a key player in assisting the Shoreside Entertainment Scheduling Team to ensure a full staff complement and the ongoing cross-training of such personnel. The TDE ensures safe-working practices and facilitates preventative maintenance and repair of all of the entertainment venues' resources and equipment. Key to this is a strong work ethic centered on excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects while developing and maintaining positive, collaborative relationships and communications with all entertainment personnel, administrative staff, and shipboard management. This role works with a great deal of independence and exercises independent judgment in performing a wide variety of duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a shipboard position. All duties and responsibilities are to be performed in accordance with Royal Caribbean International’s The Royal Way, SQM standards, USPH guidelines, environmental, and safety policies. Each shipboard employee may be required to perform all functions in various food and beverage service venues throughout the ship.

In accordance with Royal Caribbean International’s philosophy of Anchored in Excellence, each employee conducts oneself in a professional and courteous manner at all times. This consists of physical and verbal interactions with guests or fellow shipboard employees and/or in the presence of guest contact and crew areas.

Each shipboard employee may be required to perform all functions in various service venues and throughout the ship.

1. Reporting Structure

• The reporting structure for the TDE is two-fold:
  • Onboard Reporting: TDE reports to the Cruise Director
  • Shoreside Reporting: TDE reports to the Manager, Entertainment Technical Operations
• The following positions report directly to the TDE: Senior Stage Production Manager(s), Stage Production Manager(s), Entertainment Technical Specialist (where applicable), Head Sound & Light Technician (where applicable Head Sound Technician and Head Light Technician), Head Entertainment Rigging Specialist (where applicable), and Head Stage Staff. The Head Sound & Light Technician(s) as well as the Head Stage Staff report to the TDE only in their capacity as a supervisor.

2. Technical & Artistic Integrity

• Maintains the Technical & Artistic Integrity of all produced entertainment. They are responsible for monitoring all Headliner entertainment and provides performance quality feedback to Royal Caribbean International Miami Office, Entertainment Division.
• Attends all performances, show installations, technical rehearsals, and rescue trainings, when and where possible.
• Assists the Cruise Director in creating the ship’s entertainment grid, oversees the scheduling of all entertainment venues and production shows, and ensures that the approved entertainment program can be executed with the current staffing.

3. Maintenance, Repairs and Inventory

• Oversees operation, maintenance and safeguarding of all technical assets of the entertainment venues, including supervising the use of lighting, sound, communications equipment, and the use and maintenance of stage facilities.
• Works closely with the Stage Production Managers, Entertainment Performer Flying Specialists, Sound & Light Technicians and Technical Stage Staff to ensure that:
  • All show props, sets, automation, sound, and light equipment are properly maintained with the intention that the quality of all entertainment technical equipment is kept up to the produced entertainments’ original design standards.
  • All repairs, maintenance and inspections take place as outlined in SQM and AMOS, and that all necessary reports are being completed and distributed on time. Any broken or malfunctioning equipment is to be landed for repair as quickly as possible.
• Assists in scheduling shoreside vendor visits, when and where necessary.

4. Finance and Inventory

• Must understand the Entertainment Division’s budget and is responsible for monitoring the financial reports and drill downs to maintain a healthy balanced scorecard.
• Receives regular reports about inventory levels and shipboard supplies orders.
• Utilizes company sanctioned and approved ordering systems to maintain fleetwide equipment consistency (AMOS, JD Edwards, CT)
• Awareness of all purchase orders and/or RFRs in AMOS as required.
• Ensures that sufficient entertainment technical spare parts are available onboard at all times.
• Consults with the shoreside’s Entertainment Technical Operations representative before planning or undertaking any large equipment installations or projects, or before making any larger equipment purchases.
• Provides an annual technical inventory in the third quarter of all equipment with recommendations for replacement or refurbishment; with the intention to forecast the following year’s first quarterly entertainment technical order.

5. Staffing

• Responsible for communicating with and assisting the Shoreside Entertainment Scheduling Team to ensure staffing is consistently at approved par; and that all incoming Entertainment Technical Staff receive complete handovers from outgoing staff.
• Responsible for ensuring that the Entertainment Technical Staff is fully trained and cross-trained into all possible tracks and duties. The TDE must ensure regular, consistent and thorough cross-training of all Stage Production Managers for built in redundancy.

6. Coaching and Development

• Mentors all Entertainment Technical Staff to strengthen their current performance and to prepare them for possible advancement where applicable.
• Assists Stage Production Managers with addressing performance related challenges and initiating personnel actions such as requests for promotion and counseling (together with the Cruise Director and HR Manager, where required.

7. Administrative Function

• Monitors the TDE email account throughout the day, ensuring that all important emails are replied to and that information pertaining to Entertainment Technical Staff is posted or disseminated. Where necessary, the Cruise Director and/or the Shoreside Technical Support Team must be included in such communication.
• Responsible to immediately notify the Shoreside Technical Support Team of any urgent and time-sensitive challenges requiring shoreside technical support.
• Attends all applicable entertainment, hotel or marine related meetings and trainings as required.
• Oversees all technical support of the entertainment venues for all meetings, activities and entertainment for special group functions including groups, charters, promotional, incentive, presentations, and other related activities.
• Oversees audit readiness for entertainment venues and staff, including but not limited to, Royal Way, DNV, SSQE, USPH inspections, etc., and participates in such audits as required.
• Manages the safety culture of the Entertainment Technical Staff by ensuring appropriate training and compliance with established safety procedures, SQM and SOPs.
• Responsible for keeping master copies of all technical documents. This includes, but is not limited to, operating manuals, manufacturer’s recommended procedures, stage plots, track sheets, wiring diagrams and the ship’s layout as related to sound and light equipment.
• Ensures handover notes are prepared as required by outgoing Entertainment Technical Staff including, but not limited to, Sound, Light and Lounge Technicians, Entertainment Performer Flying Specialists and Head Stage Staff. Digital copies of these must be kept locally and remotely in the cloud data repository.
• In order to maintain continuity of business, the TDE shall ensure that accurate and up to date notes are kept and treated as a living document. This document must include sufficient, relevant and up-to-date written, photo, and video documentation to allow for a smooth changeover with the incoming TDE reliever. Additionally, will be expected to cross-train with the Stage Production Managers onboard their respective ship.
• Ensures that all passwords (administrative & entertainment technical) are stored securely and locally in more than one location. Both the Cruise Director and the TDE must have full access to these passwords at all times.
• Must be familiar with all company policies and procedures. This includes environmental policies and procedures concerning the use of chemicals associated with maintaining the performance spaces onboard.

Performs related duties as required. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the shipboard employee occupying this position. Shipboard employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor or management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 5 to 7 years show stage management experience in Broadway and/or Vegas style productions, or equivalent experience.
• Bachelors or Associates degree in Technical Theater or Stage Management preferred, and/or demonstrated equivalent experience.
• Relevant qualification in either Sound, Lights, Rigging and/or Automation.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Experience working in an AquaTheater, Two70 Theater, and large Broadway show theater.
• Ability to work within a corporate environment.
• Knowledge and ability to program show control and automation systems.
• Knowledge of music and dance as it pertains to theatrical performances.
• Well versed in various software applications applicable to entertainment technology.
• Demonstrated aptitude for the financial aspects of a theatrical operation.
• Knowledge of policies and practices involved in the human resources function including:
  • the ability to motivate and develop international staff in a positive and productive manner.
  • Ability to handle interpersonal situations in a professional manner.
  • ability to utilize and administer the disciplinary action process through coaching and counseling to improve performance.
• Keep up to date with advancements in the entertainment industry.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to speak English clearly, distinctly and cordially under all circumstances.
• Ability to read and write English in order to understand and interpret written procedures (equipment manuals, operations manuals, memos, technical procedures and necessary rules and regulations). This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms, and to effectively present information to subordinates and colleagues.

PHYSICAL, VISION AND HEARING REQUIREMENTS

• Physical: Must pass the company required medical evaluation. Additionally, must be able and comfortable to work at height (over 6 feet off the floor) for extended periods of time
• Vision: Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

All shipboard employees must be physically able to participate in emergency life saving procedures and drills. Full use and range of arms and legs as well as full visual, verbal and hearing abilities are required to receive and give instructions in the event of an emergency including the lowering of lifeboats. Therefore, the ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds is necessary.