Technical Planner - AV & Rigging

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Technical Planner to join our AV production division, specializing in rigging, event infrastructure, and technical event planning. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experience converting event concepts, creative designs, and client needs into precise, deliverable production plans. Expertise in Vectorworks is essential for creating professional technical drawings including rigging schemes, layout plans, elevations, and detailed production documentation usable by project managers, suppliers, riggers, and onsite teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Convert client briefs and creative concepts into exhaustive technical plans.
• Prepare advanced Vectorworks drawings encompassing AV, rigging, staging, lighting, video, audio, structures, and event infrastructure components.
• Produce detailed rigging setups, ground plans, elevations, equipment layouts, truss and structure plans, AV system arrangements, cable routing, and construction drawings.
• Integrate architectural, structural, and venue drawings into planning documents accurately.
• Develop plans from initial idea through to final installation documentation.
• Identify and resolve technical challenges during the planning process.
• Plan and document temporary rigging installations including trusses, motors, suspension points, and structures.
• Coordinate with rigging vendors, structural engineers, venue personnel, and contractors as necessary.
• Ensure rigging plans meet safety requirements, load limits, and are feasible onsite.
• Support clients and project managers by providing clear, accurate technical documentation and attending meetings and site inspections as required.
• Manage and update final technical drawings, maintain revision control and liaise with onsite production to address technical queries.
• Verify onsite implementation during installations and events, update plans for any site or client-driven changes.

Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum of five years' professional experience in technical planning or event production within AV, entertainment, or related sectors.
• Advanced skills in Vectorworks with the ability to independently create detailed technical drawings.
• Strong practical knowledge of event rigging and temporary structural setups.
• Capability to translate creative briefs into detailed technical documentation.
• Well-versed in AV production environments including audio, video, lighting, staging, and power infrastructure.
• Proficient at reading architectural and engineering drawings related to events.
• Meticulous attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects and drawing revisions under tight deadlines.
• Effective communication and collaborative skills.
• Problem-solving aptitude with a practical approach to challenges.

Preferred Experience

• Background in large-scale live events, concerts, corporate events, festivals or exhibitions.
• Experience collaborating with major venues, arenas, convention centers, hotels, or outdoor event locations.
• Familiarity with Vectorworks Spotlight and Braceworks.
• Skills in 3D modeling and visualization within Vectorworks.
• Knowledge of rigging calculations, load analysis, and structural limits.
• Awareness of local and international event safety codes and standards.
• Experience liaising with structural engineers, rigging specialists, venue teams and suppliers.
• Technical or academic qualifications in event production, engineering, architecture or technical theatre.

Personal Attributes

• Highly detail-oriented and technically proficient.
• Practical and solution-focused mindset.
• Ability to visualize technical setups in three dimensions.
• Organized with strong document management skills.
• Confident communicator with both technical teams and clients.
• Able to thrive in fast-moving event settings with evolving requirements.
• Proactive in identifying and resolving potential technical issues early.
• Committed to safety and delivering realistic, sound solutions.

Compensation and Working Environment

The position offers involvement in a diverse array of high-profile AV and live event projects. This challenging role holds significant responsibility for planning and delivering complex productions within a fast-paced, collaborative environment alongside experienced teams. Salary is negotiable.

Application Process

Applicants should submit their CV and a portfolio highlighting relevant technical drawings and Vectorworks projects, especially those illustrating rigging, AV system integration, complex event layouts, and conceptual to technical documentation skills. Candidates must demonstrate a minimum of five years of related experience and advanced Vectorworks proficiency.