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University of Delaware

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html


Job No: 497348
Work Type: Staff
Location: Newark
Categories: Student Affairs & Services, Full Time, Art & Design


PAY GRADE: 31E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The University Student Centers (USC) cultivate a vibrant, inclusive, community in which students learn and thrive at the University of Delaware. As part of the Division of Student Life, the Trabant University Center and the Perkins Student Center serve as the social and educational epicenters for the campus, providing vibrant and intentionally planned engagement opportunities that support USCs' learning outcomes, but also those of the Division of Student Life and the overall educational aims of UD, as articulated by the General Education purposes and objectives. The USC team affords every student a path to contribute to the campus community and heighten their sense of belonging through on-campus employment opportunities, nationally recognized leadership development programs, over 400 Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and dynamic and engaging campus events and traditions. The unique cross-functional nature of the department, which includes facilities, events, student organizations, and leadership programs, necessitates that each professional staff member pursue cross-unit collaborations and partnerships, as well as assumes some cross-functional duties and roles, such opening/closing the facility based on event coverage, rotating evening-duty, serving as a professional advisor to RSOs, and providing programmatic support for department and divisional events. Collectively and through collaboration, USC team members play a critical role in actualizing the Division of Student Life mission and vision.

Under limited direction of the Senior Associate Director for Facilities and Event Services, the Assistant Director for AV Integration and Production is responsible for all aspects of strategic planning, management, assessment, negotiation, sales, risk management, and coordination of the daily technical operations for performances and events facilitated by the University Student Centers, requiring independent technical and aesthetic judgment to provide high-level professional technical leadership and expertise for lighting, staging, broadcast streaming, and sound systems, as well as the ability to design, integrate, and install updated audio visual systems technology into existing student center spaces. The Assistant Director supervises the full-time position of Coordinator for AV Integration and Production in addition to the technical team consisting of a total of 20 employees, including miscellaneous wage employees, graduate, and undergraduate student hourly employees.

In addition, the Assistant Director is responsible for AV/technical aspects of the new eSports Arena as it relates to lighting, microphones, broadcast and camera feeds, audio-mixing, projectors, and arena scoreboard and monitor needs. The eSports Arena is a state-of-the-art enterprise which allows UD to compete at a national level against other Division 1 schools through the Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF) conference and has been marketed and leveraged by Admissions to recruit top-level students interested in the fastest growing international sporting industry. The eSports Arena features 36 high performing gaming PC's and a broadcast studio that accommodates the university's four eSports varsity teams, the new eSports academic major, and casual gamers from the general student body.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership

• Strategically plan, manage, assess, negotiate, coordinate, and oversee all aspects of the daily technical operations and requirements to meet client needs efficiently and effectively for more than 4000 performances and events for the University Student Centers indoor and outdoor events.
• Develop strategic plans and practices that support integrated and progressive AV solutions for Student Centers constituents to best meet current and future education, performance, and community needs.
• Design event specific lighting and technical layout plans. Direct staff on setup, staging, and lighting for events such as performances, conferences, competitions, award programs, convocation events, VIP guests, Board of Trustee meetings, large concerts, and various professional artists.
• Serve as the department's project liaison for all audio, video, lighting, technology, and associated electrical systems. Translate department's needs into technical specifications, create reports and drawings to communicate those needs to contractors and builders, and advocate for the interests of the department when problems arise during project builds. Coordinate all university services (Carpentry, Electrical, Network and IT, etc.) required to support the integration of new equipment and systems.
• The Assistant Director develops strategic, collaborative partnerships with campus wide university departments including, but not limited to, Student Life, Facilities, IT, Environmental Health and Safety, Public Safety, and University Media Services in the delivery of outstanding services, programs, and experience for students and the community.
• Work independently and accomplish advanced work in areas such as AV systems installation and commissioning; trouble-shooting complex system issues; advanced level control systems programming; AV system design; and technical live event planning, setup, and tear down.
• Responsible for the design and delivery of effective and easy-to-use AV solutions that facilitate content sharing, remote collaboration, and provide recording functionality.
• Coordinate with campus IT services to acquire new software for supporting client event needs and maintain client-facing equipment with current updates, software versions, and brand-compliant visual elements.
• Conduct research on emerging technologies in support of infrastructure development efforts and systems that will improve ease of use, performance, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and infrastructure flexibility.

Client Support and Advisement

• Serve as primary liaison and negotiator between vendors, presenters, performers and their representatives, sound engineers, and lighting directors to meet performance and event needs within the capabilities and limitations of the two University Student Centers. Assess and revise technical riders as part of performing groups' contracts.
• Forge and cultivate working relationships with outside vendors, prepare RFPs, review contracts, and make recommendations to the Senior Associate Director and Director regarding scope of work and pricing for equipment replacement, major upgrades, and renovations.
• As part of the cross-functional nature of this department, the Assistant Director also serves as a technical advisor to student organizations and colleagues in the development and implementation of large-scale programs and events.
• Consult with clients to conceptualize, develop, and implement a production design and audiovisual experience that will achieve the communicated desires and goals of the client.
• Coordinate with student theatre and performance groups to provide specialized attention to theatrical performance venues and maintain them in production-ready condition.

Administration

• Determine project scope, provide projections, research, cost estimations, quotes, and professional proposals for facility upgrades. Develop cost effective budgets by obtaining best valued vendor bids and negotiations.
• Develop, document, make recommendations, and communicate plans for investing in AV and collaboration infrastructure, including tools and techniques for managing the infrastructure.
• Calculate costs for equipment and staffing used during client events and deliver regular billing reports to the department's business office.
• Provide tactical leadership to ensure continuous improvement. Responsible for effective staff management, including hiring and orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment.
• Evaluate and develop professional development plans for USC technical staff which includes a full-time Coordinator for AV Integration and Production in addition to miscellaneous wage, graduate, and undergraduate student hourly employees.
• Oversee and maintain technical support facilities, supplies, and equipment, including coordinating upgrades and troubleshooting repairs.
• Responsible for the standards, best practices, capacity planning, and management of in-room AV solutions.
• Manage AV inventories between locations. This includes, but is not limited to, managing lifecycle, updating equipment, creating training manuals, and completing small repairs as needed.
• Assist with the implementation of assessment and data collection initiatives to assess customer and student satisfaction. Obtain feedback and recalibrate priorities and activities based on such feedback.
• Ensure compliance with university financial, facilities, safety, and risk management policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain required library of documentation for all systems.
• Support the work and mission of the Division of Student Life through committees, task forces, and special assignments.
• Serve on-call for evening events as part of rotational team to support student staff and provide a new lens and perspective about students, events, and programs to inform training programs and services.
• Write reports, provide research, and fulfill other projects as assigned by the Senior Associate Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree with five years' experience in a relevant technical specialization or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• In-depth technical knowledge of complex audio systems, diverse multimedia technologies, video conferencing, and computer-based systems.
• Skills and experience with sound, lighting and audio-visual design, staging, and computing hardware connections.
• Experience evaluating new technologies, from initial vendor selection through project execution and completion.
• Extensive knowledge of matrix switchers, control systems, audio and video signal flow, amplifiers, microphones, HD cameras, and related AV components.
• Proven AV design and integration skills.
• Read architectural, mechanical, and electrical blueprints and have a solid understanding of basic electrical and mechanical control systems.
• Ability to interpret floor plans and lighting diagrams. Knowledge of theatrical electrics and/or rigging.
• Ability to use computer-aided drafting (CAD) software to interpret, edit, and create project/construction drawings.
• Ability to use independent judgement to solve complex technical problems under strict time constraints and the ability to work independently.
• Must be able to present technical and non-technical information clearly and in a compelling manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with people having varied levels of technical knowledge.
• Ability to work within a diverse environment; interact well with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
• Proven project planning and management experience.
• Excellent time management, organization, and planning skills.
• Excellent analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading large scale, collaborative projects to meet organizational goals.
• Demonstrate a "can do" work ethic coupled with effective time management and ability to overcome ambiguous or under-defined problems, simplify and clarify objectives, and lead team to successful outcomes.
• Technical knowledge of 3 or more of the following required: Intelligent Lighting Systems, Theatrical Lighting, Digital and Audio Mixing Boards, Lighting Consoles, Crestron Operation, Network Equipment, Projection Mapping, Video Conferencing Systems, and Rigging.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.
• Strong planning and organizational skills. Ability to prioritize work and provide attention to detail.
• Knowledge of drawing programs (AutoCAD/Visio/D-Tools) helpful.
• Certified trainer in aerial lift and other safe rigging specialties preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift and move, with or without assistance, set pieces, rigging, and audio equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to accurately discern colors and the pitch, tone, and volume of sound.
• Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed, to support the demands of various events.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Applications close:

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