Drafting Manager

REPORTS INTO: VP, Head of Technical Production / Director of Technical ProductionWhat is a Drafting Manager at salt:The Drafting Manager is responsible for owning and leading all technical drafting efforts across live events, experiential activations, and fabricated environments. This role serves as the central point of accountability for drawing standards, drafting workflows, file management, and quality control, ensuring that all technical drawings are accurate, consistent, and ready for production coordination and on-site integration. The Drafting Manager leads and develops an internal drafting team while managing supplemental external drafting resources, and works hands‑on to produce and oversee complex drawing packages. This role is critical to translating creative intent and technical design into build‑ready documentation at every stage of production.Job Responsibilities:Own drafting standards, templates, layer conventions, and documentation best practices across all Salt projectsEnsure all drawings meet internal quality, accuracy, and version‑control requirementsReview and approve venue and master drawing files prior to release to Production and Creative teamsEstablish clear drafting scopes and deliverable expectations for each projectServe as the central coordination point for all drafting requests across Technical Production and Fabrication teamsLead and facilitate project‑level Drafting Kick‑Off meetings to align scope, standards, handoff procedures, cadence, and expectationsPrioritize drafting requests based on project timelines and production needsManage drafting schedules and ensure alignment with production milestonesEnforce drafting processes and timelines, including holding stakeholders accountable to required inputsLead, manage, and develop the internal drafting team including Senior Drafters and DraftersProvide clear direction, feedback, and professional development support to direct reportsManage supplemental freelance and external drafting resources as needed to support capacity spikes or specialized requirementsAssign drafting work across internal and external resources with clear scopes, deadlines, and quality expectationsForecast drafting workload, flag capacity risks early, and determine when additional resources are requiredIn collaboration with Technical Directors and the Fabrication lead, ensure drawings accurately reflect staging, rigging, AV, power, automation, and fabrication integrationReceive and ingest as-built documentation from scenic shops and vendors into Vectorworks, ensuring drawings accurately reflect fabricated and installed conditionsCoordinate drawing updates and revisions as projects evolveSupport venue reviews, site surveys, and feasibility assessments through accurate documentationExecute and oversee file conversions from SketchUp, Rhino (.3dm), AutoCAD, OBJ, Matterport, and LiDAR scan data into VectorworksValidate scale, accuracy, and alignment when converting third‑party filesMaintain clean, organized, and accessible drawing file structures and a centralized drafting archivePartner with Project Leads and Production leadership to align drafting resources with approved project budgets and monitor drafting spend throughout the project lifecycleProactively flag risks, conflicts, and missing information to the appropriate Technical Director or Production leadIdentify opportunities to improve drafting efficiency, clarity, and turnaround timeStay current on Vectorworks updates, drafting tools, and industry best practicesProduce drafting deliverables directly on complex, high‑priority, or time‑sensitive projectsRequirements6+ years of experience in technical drafting for live events, experiential, or fabrication environmentsExpert‑level proficiency in Vectorworks (required)Strong understanding of technical drawings for live events, staging, rigging, AV, and fabricationAbility to read, review, and QA technical drawings across multiple disciplinesExperience managing or mentoring drafting staff or teamsExperience working with complex, multi‑vendor technical environmentsProven experience managing drafting workflows and multiple concurrent projectsStrong understanding of live event production and fabrication processesExperience working with third‑party file formats and scan data (SketchUp, Rhino, AutoCAD, OBJ, Matterport, LiDAR)Ability to enforce process while maintaining collaborative relationshipsExcellent organizational and communication skillsProficient in Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides)Availability for in‑person collaboration as requiredSalt Core Values + YouRedefine the Rules: Creative and production fighting like cats and dogs? Not here. We bring creative and production together from the start because a great idea is only as good as how it's brought to life. For us, logistics and aesthetics go hand in hand. We're all about delivering experiences that go beyond the ask.In Search Of: Tackling challenges is our favorite pastime. Obstacles? We call them plot twists. We are creative thinkers and problem‑solvers who always find a way forward with curiosity and determination. Our focus is exceeding expectations, turning client asks into an opportunity to deliver something unexpectedly brilliant.Expect More, Get More: We hold ourselves to higher standards than anyone else, always looking for ways to elevate each project. We don't stop at simply checking all the boxes; we push until time runs out. That extra 10% is where we surpass the competition, delivering results beyond what our clients could imagine—or even think to ask for.Compassion is Culture: We are powered by extraordinary humans, and we're dedicated to cultivating an environment where company success is tied to team success. We combat burnout with inspiration, motivation, and genuine support. Without fun, work sucks.You Are:You are the technical authority who owns drafting standards, workflows, and quality control — ensuring every drawing is accurate, consistent, and ready for production coordination and on‑site integration.You are a people‑first leader who develops and supports an internal drafting team while managing external resources to keep production moving at any scale.You are a hands‑on drafting leader who drives process improvement and resource efficiency across the department, ensuring every project is documented with precision from start to finish.#J-18808-Ljbffr