Technical Director

The Media Services Department at Johnson University Tennessee invites applications for the position of Technical Director. Applicants for this position should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references via email to the Director of Media Services, Stuart Large at [email protected].  Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Position Title: Technical Director
Organization: Johnson University
Work Location: Johnson University Tennessee (Knoxville, TN)
Reports to: Director of Media Services
Compensation: Commensurate with education and experience
Classification: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Job Summary

The Technical Director oversees the creative and technical execution of Johnson University’s live production environments with a primary focus on audio engineering and in-room experiences (lighting, scenic, and environmental design). This role supports all major live events the Live Production Department is tasked with. The Technical Director reports to the department director.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Serve as the primary audio engineer (A1) for major live events and broadcasts.
  • Oversee lighting design and scenic/environmental design for campus events.
  • Manage and maintain live production spaces, equipment, and tools. Includes the PW Auditorium, Graham Center main court, and broadcast audio facilities.
  • Provide technical oversight and design for portable AVL systems for traveling worship teams.
  • Lead and mentor student workers and interns.
  • Ensure compliance with industry safety standards for Audio and Lighting systems installation and operation.
  • Collaborate with chapel, worship program, athletics, and academic departments to support a variety of events.

Secondary Responsibilities

  • Support the Assistant Director and Department Director with special projects.
  • Participate in system upgrades and installations.
  • Assist with production planning and creative input for major events.
  • Provide occasional mixing and support for post-production projects.

Knowledge and Skills Requirements

  • Expert proficiency in live audio engineering and mixing.
  • Sensitivity to the dynamic requirements of various music styles, audiences, and contexts including volume and tonality.
  • Working knowledge of lighting programming concepts and scenic/environmental design.
  • Strong knowledge and vigilant adherence to industry safety practices in electrical, rigging, and set construction.
  • Familiarity with modern worship music
  • Sensitivity to appropriate styles of production for different applications.
  • Proficiency in live digital console and DAW workflows.
  • Basic IT networking proficiency for AVL, including Dante, Lighting protocols, others.
  • Experience with Waves SoundGrid systems.
  • Ability to design and deploy portable AVL systems.
  • Competence in cable termination, basic networking, and power distribution.
  • Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and mentoring skills.

Working Conditions

  • Extended standing and physical exertion is occasionally required.
  • High-pressure situations common during live events.
  • This position requires the employee to regularly work non-business hours with flexibility to balance personal time.

Current Systems and Equipment

  • Yamaha CL/QL Series, Midas, Behringer, Other Digital Consoles
  • L’Acoustics Kiva + SB18s + ARCS
  • Dante Network Environment
  • RTS Odin Matrix Intercom
  • Studio Technologies Intercom Interfaces and Announcers consoles
  • Waves SoundGrid Servers and Plugins
  • Pro Tools
  • Vista/Other lighting consoles
  • Robe, Chauvet, ETC, and similar intelligent lighting fixtures
  • RF microphone/IEM systems (Shure ULX-D, PSM900 and similar)
  • Portable AVL systems (PA, racks, stage boxes, cabling)
  • Lift operation and rigging systems for scenic and lighting
  • Networking and cable termination tools and equipment
  • Others

Equal Employment Opportunity Provider

Johnson University is a Christian university affiliated with Christian churches and churches of Christ. Its mission is to educate students for “Christian ministries and other strategic vocations framed by the Great Commission in order to extend the kingdom of God among all nations.” Accordingly, Johnson University seeks to hire and educate individuals who share its vision and core values to carry out that mission. Johnson University does not unlawfully discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment practices.

Johnson University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or disability–if such disability may be accommodated without undue hardship—in provision of educational opportunities, programs and activities, or employment opportunities and benefits, pursuant to the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent amendments to that act, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and subsequent re-authorization of that act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and subsequent amendments to that act.

The University, however, reserves the right under those provisions to make certain employment decisions based on religion, marital status, or sex consistent with the University’s religious beliefs when establishing qualifications for certain positions. Further, as a Christian ministry, the University retains the right to select those who serve in ministerial positions, as that term has been defined by the courts in the context of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, based on criteria established by the University without regard to Title VII, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law governing the employment relationship.