Technical Coordinator – School of Performing Arts at Avila University – Kansas City, Missouri

POSITION SUMMARY
The Technical Coordinator for the School of Performing Arts is a part-time, benefits-eligible staff position that is paired with a separate, part-time appointment as a Technical Director for a professional theatre organization outside of Avila University, located in Kansas City. The two positions are hired and compensated independently, with both organizations mutually agreeing on the individual selected for the shared role. Within Avila University, this position is responsible for supporting and overseeing select technical operations within the University’s performing arts facilities.

This role provides coordination, supervision, and direct technical support for scene shop activity, rental logistics, and Avila Theatre box office operations, ensuring that all technical functions operate safely, efficiently, and in alignment with professional theatre standards. The role includes hands-on work in areas such as scenic construction and support in electrics.

The Technical Coordinator works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to support academic productions, pre-professional experiential learning opportunities, and external events. While the position includes hands-on work in areas such as scenic construction and support in electrics as needed, a central focus remains the supervision and coordination of student employees and practicum participants, including Resident Stage Managers and Box-Office Work-Study students. Through a balance of direct participation, scheduling, oversight, and mentorship, the Technical Coordinator helps maintain a structured, educationally grounded environment that supports student learning.

Responsibilities:
• Oversee and support day-to-day technical operations within the School of Performing Arts’ facilities, including the scene shop and performance spaces.
• Provide hands-on technical support for productions and events, including scenic construction, shop work, and assistance in electrics and other technical areas.
• Supervise shop activity while students are participating in stagecraft laboratories, technical theatre practicums, production assignments, and approved external or professional projects within Avila facilities.
• Coordinate scene shop schedules, build priorities, and workflows in collaboration with faculty and production staff.
• Oversee theatrical rental logistics, including technical planning, scheduling, and communication with renters and campus stakeholders.
• Supervise and support student Resident Stage Managers (RSMs) assigned to rentals and events.
• Supervise box office operations for four Avila Theatre productions, including scheduling and oversight of Box Office Work-Study students.
• Ensure student employees and practicum participants are trained in safety protocols and professional standards.
• Maintain safe, organized, and functional shop and work environments and assist with basic maintenance, inventory oversight, and equipment stewardship.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and administrators to support academic productions, experiential learning opportunities, and external events.
• Serve as a professional representative of the School of Performing Arts in interactions with students, renters, guests, and external partners.
• Maintain clear, timely, and professional communication with faculty, staff, students, and external constituents related to technical operations and scheduling.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in Theatre, Technical Theatre, Production, or a related field preferred; Bachelor’s degree with equivalent professional experience required.
• Demonstrated experience in theatrical production, technical theatre, or professional performance environments.
• Experience with scenic construction, basic electrics, and shop practices in an educational or professional theatre setting.
• Experience supervising or mentoring students, early-career artists, or staff in a collaborative work environment.
• Strong organizational, scheduling, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Commitment to supporting experiential learning and working effectively with a diverse student population, including first-generation college students and student employees.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to maintain professional decorum in all interactions.
• Multilingual skills preferred.
• Ability to contribute to a climate that supports a diverse student body, serves first-generation college students, multilingual learners, and contributions to equity and social justice through their work.

Successful candidates should be committed to contributing to a climate that supports a diverse student body, serves first-generation college students, multilingual learners, and contributions to equity and social justice through their work.

Benefits:
This is a Part-Time position, eligible for the usual and customary benefits. Avila University’s comprehensive benefit package includes a generous holiday schedule, tuition remission for employee and dependents, vacation and sick leave, retirement benefits and health insurance.

The Community:
Kansas City, a two-state metropolitan area with a population of nearly two million, offers a wide variety of cultural, educational and social life opportunities. Avila University, a Catholic university founded and inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, provides undergraduate and graduate education in the liberal arts and professional studies, preparing lifelong learners who make meaningful contributions to the global community.

Additional Employment Information:
Avila University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of, sex, race, religion, age, color, sexual orientation, disability, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran's status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

You must be at least 18 years of age to be employed by Avila University.

All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)” and produce requested documentation after employment.

In compliance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, the university's annual security and crime statistics report is available at https://www.avila.edu/campus-resources/campus-safety. A copy of this report is available upon request from the Campus Safety Office in the Whitfield building any weekday between 8am and 5pm.

Avila University requires the successful completion of a background check as a condition of employment.