Lighting Director, Theaters

Salary: $50,000.00 - $55,500.00 Annually
Location: Lawrenceville
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: Rider
00262
Division: Academic Affairs
Department: School of Fine and Performing Arts
Opening Date: 01/08/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Work Schedule: Typical business hours (8:30 am-5 pm) with office hours being before the active shop hours of 1-5pm on all weekdays. Weekends and evenings for technical rehearsals as required and Sunday strikes as scheduled for all departmental productions.

Rider University invites applications for the position of Lighting Director. Reporting to the Director of Production Management, this individual will be responsible for all theatrical lighting systems, related equipment, maintenance, and upgrades as applicable.

• Managing all audio and video equipment and storage;
• Supervising or assisting all lighting and sound installations as needed;
• Supervising related support staff, student employees, and credit-bearing student assistants;
• Oversight of safety protocols of general operations and protection of equipment and inventory of the Department of Performing Arts; and
• Assisting external offices as needed with any maintenance of the theatrical spaces and consulting on any upgrades or special projects occurring within or supporting the theatrical spaces.

• Bachelor's degree or higher degree (Performing Arts preferred)
• 3 or more years' experience with theatrical lighting.
• Prior experience working in an educational setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  • Safe electrical practices and adherence to electrical safety protocols and OSHA standards.
  • 120, 208, and 230-volt wiring.
  • Lighting instrument, cabling, and component maintenance.
  • Lighting patch systems.
  • Comfortable working from elevated positions, aerial lifts up to 30', and ladders up to 16'.
  • Proficiency with:
  • Reading theatrical and architectural/electrical plans and diagrams.
  • Light plot generating (Vector Works, AutoCAD or other software preferred).
  • Data processing software
  • Google-based data storage
• Experience with:
  • ETC components
• Common special effect equipment: smoke machines, foggers, hazers, strobes, etc.
• DMX programming
• Moving lights and other intelligent fixtures
• Set-up of video projection systems
• Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record.
• Satisfactory background and/or DMV checks required.

• Master's or other terminal degree relative to the performing arts.
• Professional and academic theater experience with lighting.
• Experience with designing and building special effects machinery and devices:
  • Snow or other dropping devices
  • Remote controlled handheld or wearable lighting devices
  • Mobile lighting fixtures and arrays
  • OSHA or other certified training.
  • Certified aerial lift operator and/or trainer.
  • Experience with architectural light systems:
    Unison, ETC Net3, and Paradigm Networks.
  • Experience maintaining ETC based dimmer and control systems.

Rider University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.