Technical Manager

Technical Manager – (Freelance) – Riyadh

Location: Riyadh, KSAContract: Freelance, fixed-term, project-basedPeriod: 23 October – 22 December 2026 (61 days)Working pattern: Full period, including long shifts, nights and weekends at peak timesAbout the projectA major international multi-sport event taking place in Riyadh, with thousands of athletes and team officials.

Competition runs in December 2026 across multiple venue clusters.About the roleYou will lead technical delivery across all venue clusters, from planning and installation through competition and breakdown. You will own the technical systems, the suppliers who deliver them and the readiness of every venue. You will lead the Technical Supervisors in each cluster. You will also work closely with overlay, power, production, broadcast and venue operations so that every competition session runs on time and safely.Key responsibilitiesPlanning and designDefine the technical requirements for each cluster and venue: sound, lighting, video, LED screens, power, rigging and communications.Review and approve technical designs, drawings and equipment lists from suppliers.Build the technical delivery schedule for install, testing, rehearsals, competition and breakdown.Coordinate technical needs with overlay, power, broadcast and sport presentation teams.Supplier and team managementManage the technical suppliers and contractors across all clusters, including scope, schedules and quality.Lead and support the Technical Supervisors in each cluster, setting priorities and daily tasks.Track supplier performance against contracts and raise issues early.Review variations and additional technical requests, and support budget control.Installation and readinessOversee installation, cabling, rigging and set-up across all venues.Run technical rehearsals, system tests and readiness checks before competition.Sign off technical readiness for each venue before handover to venue operations.Make sure back-up systems and contingency plans are in place for critical equipment.Live operationsOversee daily technical operations during competition across all clusters.Lead fast fault-finding and resolution, keeping disruption to sessions to a minimum.Act as the main technical point of contact for venue managers and the project team.Attend daily operations meetings and report technical status and risks.Health, safety and complianceMake sure all technical work follows health and safety rules, including electrical safety, rigging and working at height.Check that suppliers hold the right permits, method statements, risk assessments and certifications.Report and follow up any incidents or near misses.Breakdown and close-outManage the safe breakdown and removal of technical equipment from all venues.Close out supplier scopes and complete handback of venues.Prepare a final technical report with lessons learned.RequirementsSenior technical management experience at international sports events. Multi-sport or major single-sport events are preferred.Strong knowledge of event technical systems: audio, lighting, video, LED, power distribution and rigging.Proven experience leading multiple technical teams and suppliers across several venues at once.Able to read and review technical drawings, plots and schematics.Strong health and safety awareness for technical production.Calm, decisive and solution-focused under pressure.Fluent English; Arabic is an advantage.Available for the full period, 23 October – 22 December 2026, including long shifts, nights and weekends.Two professional references.