Director of Lighting

Position Summary

The Director of Lighting leads all production lighting, electrical equipment, and power distribution for Studio Productions, the exclusive in-house production vendor for The Glasshouse. The Glasshouse is a 75,000 square foot penthouse event venue with outdoor terraces, waterfront and city views, and built-in programmable audiovisual and rigging infrastructure. Reporting to the Director of Production and working closely with the Technical Director, this role manages the lighting department and crews. It partners with Audio, Video, Staging, Rigging, Production Management, Front of House, and Venue Sales to execute events in line with each client’s vision. The Director of Lighting also drives revenue-generating and cost-saving opportunities through strategic equipment planning and budgeting. As part of Studio Productions, this role is expected to bring cross-functional expertise in rigging, crew leadership, lift operation, and safety enforcement, and to help sell The Glasshouse alongside the Venue Sales team.

Key Responsibilities

Lighting & Electrical Operations

• Oversee all production lighting, electrical equipment, and electrical systems, including utilization, maintenance, and upgrades
• Run lighting for events as required, managing lighting (LX) crews and informing the Inventory Manager of all equipment pulls
• Oversee power distribution to all departments and coordinate with client-supplied generators when needed
• Maintain Lightwright files and the Studio Productions gobo library, including custom gobos for returning clients
• Maintain all lifts for reliable operation; schedule service calls and order additional lifts as needed
• Collaborate with the Technical Director on the operational schedule of events

Event Planning, Budgeting & Client Collaboration

• Partner with Venue Sales, Production Management, Audio, Video, Staging, Rigging, and Front of House to execute events in line with the client’s vision
• Attend client and production meetings to review upcoming events and advise on future rentals, layovers, or substitutions
• Review Studio Productions proposals with the Technical Director, department heads, and Venue Sales to ensure client, venue, and production targets are met
• Preview and revise client technical drawings to align with Studio Productions budgets and standards, advising clients on best practices
• Develop gear lists, vendor invoices, crew counts and hours, and rental orders for event budgets
• Review all lighting orders to ensure accuracy and optimize daily, weekly, and monthly rental items
• Support the Venue Sales team in selling The Glasshouse by showcasing the venue’s production capabilities to prospective clients

Event Execution

• Review event schedules, final floor plans, Run of Show, load-in, and strike schedules, providing input as necessary
• Plan across current and subsequent events to optimize equipment use and deliver competitive pricing
• Confirm client satisfaction with lighting prior to doors
• Review any overtime with the Director of Production and Technical Director
• Review the Production Manager’s post-event report and incorporate insights into future event execution
• Oversee all lighting crew booking in coordination with department heads and manage the lighting schedule
• Ensure all lighting staff are properly approved and onboarded before working events
• Provide crew lists and functions to the Technical Director for high-level security events
• Lead, train, and develop lighting crew members, setting clear expectations for performance and conduct

Inventory & Equipment Management

• Oversee lighting and production electrical inventory to ensure all equipment is maintained and accounted for
• Manage inventory of all lighting rentals and perishables
• Schedule regular maintenance of lighting and production electrical systems and equipment
• Report maintenance and replacement needs to the Director of Production and Technical Director
• Maintain a library of show drawings, stage plots, input lists, backline specs, and technical riders for all events

Venue Stewardship & Safety

• Maintain thorough knowledge of all venue spaces and capabilities, including the lobby, 5th floor, 6th floor event space, loading dock, storage areas, and video control room
• Oversee production and client teams during setup and execution to reasonably prevent and report any potential or actual damage to the venue
• Enforce safety protocols and ensure all lighting staff know and follow emergency procedures
• Address safety issues promptly and elevate concerns to the Director of Production as appropriate

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of experience running a lighting department in an event venue or across multiple locations
• Deep understanding of the production business, with the ability to identify revenue-generating and cost-saving opportunities
• Thorough knowledge of current lighting products, lighting control, and power systems
• General knowledge of lighting, audio, video, rigging, and staging, with strong rigging skills and the ability to lead crews of all types
• Certified, or able to obtain certification, to operate aerial and scissor lifts
• Operational proficiency in Vectorworks and AutoCAD, including the ability to convert files to preferred formats
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word
• Proficiency in LASSO
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with strong communication skills at all levels
• Ability to manage multiple events, accounts, and projects simultaneously while providing quick, accurate information to clients and internal stakeholders
• Exceptional organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and excellent follow-up
• Ability to work well under pressure, adapt to changing priorities, and stay at ease with complexity
• Solution-oriented, proactive self-starter who works well as a team member, manager, and individual contributor
• Superior ethical standards, a passion for events and hospitality, and a sense of humor

Preferred

• ETCP certification
• General knowledge of video mapping
• Experience supporting venue sales efforts or client-facing technical consultations

Working Conditions

• Work Environment: On-site, New York, NY, including the venue floors, terraces, loading dock, storage areas, and video control room
• Physical Requirements: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; climb ladders and work at heights, including on lifts and in rigging environments; lift and move equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Travel: Minimal; occasional vendor visits, equipment shops, and industry events within the NYC area
• Schedule: Schedule based on business needs, may include regular evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight load-ins and strikes