TRAVELING ENTERTAINMENT TECHNICAL MANAGER

TRAVELING ENTERTAINMENT TECHNICAL MANAGER

Department: Entertainment – Product Development & Guest Experience
Reports To: Senior Manager, Entertainment Operations

Position Summary

The Traveling Entertainment Technical Manager serves as the senior technical authority for AROYA Cruises’ entertainment operations, responsible for the strategic oversight, operational excellence, and continuous development of all entertainment technical systems across the fleet. This includes audio, lighting, video, rigging, stage machinery, special effects, broadcast systems, and associated entertainment technologies.

Acting as the primary liaison between shoreside leadership and onboard technical & entertainment teams, this role ensures the delivery of world-class entertainment experiences through effective maintenance programs, technical innovation, operational standardization, and strong team leadership. The position plays a key role in supporting new entertainment projects, venue enhancements, dry dock initiatives, and fleetwide technical development while ensuring the highest standards of safety, reliability, and guest satisfaction.

In addition, the role maintains oversight of fleetwide technical staffing, rotations, accommodation planning, guest artist cabin allocations, technical rider management, and the operational deployment of both technical personnel and guest entertainment resources, ensuring seamless delivery of entertainment operations across the fleet.

Key Responsibilities

Fleetwide Technical Leadership

• Conduct regular ship visits to audit entertainment venues, technical systems, equipment condition, and operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety regulations, manufacturer recommendations, and industry best practices.
• Provide expert guidance and support for escalated technical issues and operational challenges.
• Develop, implement, and maintain fleetwide technical standards, SOPs, maintenance schedules, and operational procedures.
• Drive consistency in technical delivery and production quality across all vessels and entertainment venues.
• Monitor technical performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Entertainment Projects & Innovation

• Lead the technical planning, implementation, and commissioning of new entertainment concepts, productions, guest activations, and special events.
• Research emerging technologies and industry trends to enhance the guest experience and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with creative, operational, and technical stakeholders to develop innovative entertainment offerings.
• Build and maintain relationships with equipment manufacturers, suppliers, production partners, and industry experts.
• Represent AROYA Cruises at relevant industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events.
• Support concept development, budgeting, and feasibility assessments for future entertainment initiatives.

Technical Team Management & Development

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance management for onboard Entertainment Technical Managers and technical teams.
• Lead recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, succession planning, and workforce development initiatives.
• Develop training programs and career development pathways to enhance technical capability, engagement, and retention.
• Manage fleetwide scheduling, rotations, relief planning, and deployment of entertainment technical personnel to ensure operational continuity.
• Coordinate travel logistics, embarkation planning, visa requirements, and contract transitions for technical team members.
• Conduct performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching and support to onboard technical personnel.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence throughout the department.

Guest Artist & Entertainment Support

• Oversee the allocation and management of guest artist, production, and technical cabins to ensure efficient use of onboard accommodation inventory.
• Work closely with Entertainment Operations, Hotel Operations, Crewing, and HR teams to forecast accommodation requirements for guest entertainers, technicians, contractors, and special projects.
• Support the onboarding, familiarization, and operational integration of guest artists, contractors, and temporary project personnel.
• Review and approve technical riders, production requirements, and venue suitability for guest entertainers, headline acts, and special events.
• Coordinate technical advances with artists, agents, suppliers, and onboard teams to ensure all production requirements are delivered safely and efficiently.
• Ensure all guest entertainment activities are executed in accordance with technical, operational, and safety standards.

Budgeting, Procurement & Asset Management

• Manage entertainment technical operational budgets and maintenance expenditure.
• Oversee procurement activities relating to technical equipment, consumables, service contracts, and specialist support.
• Support tendering processes, technical evaluations, supplier selection, and contract negotiations.
• Maintain oversight of fleetwide technical inventories, spare parts holdings, and asset lifecycle management.
• Develop long-term replacement and upgrade strategies for entertainment technical equipment.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization while maintaining operational integrity, safety, and production quality.
• Ensure accurate reporting and tracking of technical expenditures and capital investments.

Dry Dock, Refits & Capital Projects

• Lead entertainment technical planning for dry dock periods, venue refurbishments, and capital improvement projects.
• Coordinate with shipyards, contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery.
• Oversee installation, commissioning, testing, and acceptance of new entertainment systems and infrastructure.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to company standards.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation and handover procedures.

Operational Support

• Provide direct support during major events, special productions, inaugural sailings, charter operations, and other high-profile activities.
• Act as interim Entertainment Technical Manager onboard when required to support operational continuity.
• Monitor guest feedback and operational performance relating to entertainment production quality.
• Develop action plans to address technical deficiencies and service improvement opportunities.
• Support emergency response, troubleshooting, and business continuity planning relating to entertainment technical operations.
• Work collaboratively with shipboard leadership to ensure the successful delivery of all entertainment programs and events.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Minimum 5 years' experience in cruise ship entertainment technical management or a comparable large-scale live entertainment environment.
• Advanced knowledge of professional audio, lighting, video, rigging, automation, stage management, broadcast systems, and special effects.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-venue entertainment operations and technical teams.
• Strong experience in budgeting, procurement, vendor management, and contract administration.
• Proven ability to manage complex technical projects, including dry docks, venue refurbishments, and system upgrades.
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel extensively and work effectively in both shipboard and shoreside environments.

Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree in Technical Theatre, Entertainment Technology, Audio Visual Engineering, Production Management, or a related field.
• Relevant technical certifications in entertainment systems, rigging, electrical systems, project management, or health and safety.
• Previous experience within cruise operations, hospitality, live entertainment, or destination attractions.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Technical Expertise
• Project Management
• Budget & Financial Management
• Vendor & Stakeholder Management
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• Team Leadership & Development
• Operational Excellence
• Safety & Compliance
• Communication & Collaboration
• Guest Experience Focus