Event Production Specialist - Lighting

Building a Brand starts with a Story

FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency providing Content, Creative, Digital Technology, Management & Delivery, and Data & Insights services. For 30 years, we have utilized three flexible delivery models: Embedded teams, Corporate Campus operations, and a Full-Service Agency.
Managing over 37,000 events & projects annually across 110 countries, FIRST serves 130+ brands, specializing in Fortune 500 companies within the Financial Services, Technology, Healthcare, Media, and Professional Services sectors. FIRST is part of the broader Encore family of companies. Encore is a global leader in event production and technology.
Consistently recognized for excellence, recent honors include 2026 Chief Marketer Agency of the Year, the Ad Net Zero Award for sustainability, and more.

Learn more at www.firstagency.com

Location: New York – This is a full-time, on-site role. 
Employment Type: This is a fixed-term contract position scheduled to run from September 11, 2026 - November 6, 2026.

What You Would Get To Do

In this capacity, the ideal candidate would represent the FIRST brand as an implanted team member for a well-known technology company. The Event Production Specialist - Lighting  will be responsible for executing technical productions on complex and high visibility events at an expert level. The role requires a deep passion and understanding of lighting  systems, core stage & event lighting concepts as well as lighting for hybrid events/video recording.

For events, the goal is to provide a seamless technology experience to all attendees, press and partners, as well as create a more efficient and reliable technical environment for event staff and vendors. In this role you’ll work with internal teams as well as external clients and vendor partners on a daily basis.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

• Execute scene shifts and show cues in a safe and timely manner during rehearsals and performances with the least amount of distractions (eg- noise, visual movement, significant errors, etc.)
• Assistance in maintenance of lighting fixtures/consoles as well as escalating known issues for vendor support 
• Ability to support cross functionality to achieve event host goals  
• Provide specifications for rental requirements when necessary
• Interact with visiting production companies and providing ‘shadow’ support/guidance
• Create/distribute light plots as needed
• Participate in the striking and load-in of new and existing shows
• Build/collaborate on cue sheets/run of show documentation for each event
• Perform regularly scheduled system maintenance checks to ensure all  equipment is working properly, in collaboration with the engineering team
• Flex into other operational event production roles as skills and training allow

 

What We Are Looking For 

Please be aware that we know experience does not always look like we describe it. If you believe you would be an excellent fit for this role, please apply - we would love to see how you could fit at FIRST. 

• Position requires 5-7 year of experience
• Deep understanding of ETC ION and GrandMA 3 lighting controllers.  
• Intimate knowledge and experience with a variety of lighting fixtures including movers
• High level of proficiency in the technical delivery of high-quality events  
• Experience operating large format event production systems
• Excellent communication and customer service skills are a must to build and maintain relationships  
• Experience managing day-to-day changes at every level of detail  
• Understanding of TCP/IP networking  
• Ability to multi-task and support a high volume of complex events  
• Must be fluent in English
• Ability to work onsite
• This role will be assigned to a primary location but will require flexibility to be deployed to support across the campus as required

Administrative and General:

• Assume responsibility for own environment, ensuring adherence to health and safety policies while having clean smart surroundings
• Work intelligently and ensure that team management is aware of problems or issues which negatively affect productivity
• Build excellent relations with the team, clients, vendors, and key venues through positive communications
• Ensure knowledge is shared within the team to enable them to work smarter
• Work on ad hoc requests as required, typically during quiet times

At FIRST, we believe that our success is driven by the passion, creativity, and commitment of our teams. That's why we offer a range of benefits and perks to support your personal and professional growth.

• Medical, Dental & Vision which includes the option of a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA)
• 401 (k) 
• Five Flexible Spending Accounts Options
• Generous Paid Time Off Allowance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life, Disability & Pet Coverages
• Wellness Stipend
• Complimentary access to Headspace, Teladoc, Maven, Rocket Lawyer, Mobilo & more
• Aura Identity Theft Protection

United States Residents: The base pay for this position ranges from $77,700.00 - $89,355.00. This is a fixed-term contract position scheduled to run from September 11, 2026 - November 6, 2026. Compensation will be prorated based on the duration of the assignment.