Lighting Department Manager
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Position: Full-Time | Salaried + Benefits
About the Role
SLAMHAMMER is a live event production company specializing in concerts, festivals, and large scale live events, providing professional production services and technical expertise for events of all sizes and is seeking an experienced Lighting Department Manager to lead the people, projects, and operations of our Lighting Department.
This leadership position is responsible for driving technical excellence, operational efficiency, safety, and growth across all lighting services.
The Lighting Department Manager will provide leadership to the department, oversee project execution and staffing, manage departmental budgets and resources, support sales and quoting, and continually improve workflows and operational standards.
Leadership + Department Management
Lead the Lighting Department and provide clear direction and structure across warehouse and field operations.
Establish departmental goals, performance expectations, processes, and standards that align with company objectives.
Build a culture focused on safety, accountability, collaboration, professional development, and continuous improvement.
Work with company leadership to identify staffing needs and recruit, develop, and retain strong team members.
Develop leadership pathways and growth opportunities within the department.
Oversee departmental staffing for warehouse preparation and show execution, ensuring projects are appropriately staffed and supported.
Financial + Business Management
Develop and manage departmental budgets and forecasts.
Monitor labor, logistics, rental, and material costs to maintain profitability and identify opportunities for greater efficiency.
Partner with company leadership on proposals, business development initiatives, and department growth strategies.
Support company financial objectives through responsible planning, purchasing, staffing, and resource management.
Sales, Quoting + Client Management
Assist with the development of accurate and timely lighting quotes in coordination with account managers and project stakeholders.
Review event requirements, drawings, equipment needs, labor, logistics, and timelines to ensure proposals are complete, profitable, and operationally sound.
Serve as a key lighting representative for clients, maintaining strong relationships and identifying opportunities for repeat business and department growth.
Work closely with staging, audio, logistics, and project management teams to provide cohesive event solutions.
Project Oversight + Technical Documentation
Oversee lighting projects from concept through completion, ensuring scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations are met.
Support project managers and operations teams with resource planning, scheduling, technical coordination, and problem-solving.
Review project scopes and designs for safety, feasibility, equipment availability, and operational requirements.
Translate quotes and proposals into detailed lighting plans and documentation.
Oversee and create lighting/rigging plots, equipment lists, patch sheets, power distribution plans, control layouts, and related technical documentation.
Conduct site visits and walkthroughs as needed to confirm project requirements.
Provide technical support to field teams and resolve questions related to designs, equipment, documentation, or execution.
Workflow, Inventory + Logistics
Develop and continuously improve departmental workflows for equipment prep, deployment, show execution, and returns.
Establish and enforce inventory, labeling, scanning, and documentation standards.
Train warehouse staff and technicians on departmental procedures and systems.
Coordinate equipment availability and logistics with warehouse and logistics teams.
Schedule prep, load-in, show, and load-out workflows in alignment with project timelines.
Manage rental coordination and vendor relationships when supplemental equipment is required.
Collaborate with project managers and other department heads to improve communication and interdepartmental workflows.
Safety + Compliance
Ensure lighting and rigging operations comply with applicable OSHA, ANSI, and industry safety standards.
Oversee departmental safety training and certification programs.
Continually evaluate departmental safety practices and implement improvements.
Promote a strong safety culture across warehouse, prep, and field operations.
Qualifications
10+ years of lighting or production experience in live events, with significant experience in lighting operations.
Proven leadership experience managing teams and large-scale projects.
Strong working knowledge of lighting systems, rigging practices, power distribution, control systems, and networking.
Experience with CAD, Vectorworks, SketchUp, or similar design/documentation platforms.
Experience with Flex Rental Solutions or comparable inventory and quoting software.
Strong organizational, communication, and financial management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced live-event environment.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate effectively between technical, operational, sales, and management teams.
A leadership mindset focused on developing people, improving systems, and building a high-performing department.
Why SLAMHAMMER
Competitive salary, health insurance, and benefits.
You+rsquo;ll have the opportunity to work on major concerts and festivals featuring nationally touring artists, while being part of a team delivering high level live productions.
Opportunity to shape and grow a major technical department.
Join a collaborative environment with the opportunity to directly influence the continued growth and success of SLAMHAMMER.
This position is based in Minneapolis, MN, and requires relocation to the Minneapolis - St. Paul area for candidates currently living outside the region.
We welcome qualified candidates from across the country who are interested in relocating and becoming part of SLAMHAMMER+rsquo;s team. We understand that relocation is a significant decision and will work with the selected candidate to establish a reasonable transition timeline.
Relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate and can be discussed as part of the hiring process.
