Technical & Buildings Manager in Richmond

Richmond Theatre is seeking an experienced Technical & Building professional to lead a skilled and dedicated team while overseeing one of the UK's most beautiful historic theatres. Located in the heart of Richmond, this stunning 126-year-old venue presents a diverse programme of productions throughout the year, including plays, musicians, dance, opera, talks, comedy, and the much-loved annual pantomime.

Recent highlights have included acclaimed productions such as Prima Facie starring Jodie Comer, alongside memorable evenings with celebrated performers including Nick Mohammed, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen, to name a few. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in preserving and developing a landmark venue while supporting world-class live entertainment.

You’ll report to the Theatre Director and be responsible for the Technical, Maintenance and Stage Door teams. You’ll also work closely with all Heads of Department, venue business management and central department colleagues (particularly Technical Operations, Risk Management and Property & Facilities).

The Technical & Buildings Manager will maintain a cohesive, efficient, cost-effective and robust operational, technical and facilities maintenance structure at the theatre. They will ensure a high standard of day-to-day technical service, safety and welfare management, alongside property and facilities management, whilst always keeping the customers, the production and events at the heart of what they do. This will be achieved through effective management and leadership, excellent planning, budget management, and efficient scheduling of the theatre team.

Please note, your role may involve working with children or vulnerable people.

Key responsibilities

• Take the lead role in ensuring a cohesive, efficient, cost-effective, and robust technical and maintenance structure for the venue.
• Act as the main point of contact for Producers, Tour Managers and Contractors ensuring all visitors and companies receive the highest standards of customer service.
• Manage the implementation, monitoring and cultural approach to workplace safety and compliance across all the technical operations ensuring the business meets its requirements in accordance with Health & Safety at Work Regulations (1999) for venue employees, visiting companies, and third-party contractors.
• Play an active role in the venue senior management team participating in management meetings and contributing to the overall success of business.
• Manage building and technical expenditure and projects, and to ensure the building is presented to the highest standard day-to-day.
• Set a positive culture when it comes to managing Risk across the site, particularly with focus on safe delivery of BOH operations.
• Liaise and align work with ATG’s central Group Operations team consisting of Property, Technical, Facilities, Risk and Procurement.
• Plan and report on all this work as appropriate.

Technical

• Take the lead on all technical matters ensuring that all visiting companies receive a full technical service and that all shows, and events are presented to audiences at the highest standard possible.
• Lead the technical staff which will require an amount of time working on stage as an active member of the technical team.
• Work closely with productions and events to ensure their technical needs are met as economically as possible, always ensuring that these comply with agreed contractual terms.
• Work closely with colleagues in the building delivering events that sit in addition to the theatrical calendar, such as the Theatre Manager on private events and hires deliver and the Creative Learning and ATGE Inspire Producer on events and engagement activities.
• Plan as far ahead as possible ensuring all technical personnel are scheduled efficiently and effectively and produce and approve rosters in good time.
• Ensure budgets are met and all regulations and good practice adhered to.
• Ensure that the producers, event managers, and production teams receive the highest standards of customer care.
• Act as the primary contact point for all pre-production event meetings and communications ensuring that accurate information regarding technical, production and health and safety requirements are supplied in advance and actioned.
• Play an active role in ATGE-wide technical, production and health and safety activities.

Safety, Health, Welfare

• Manage the implementation and monitoring of procedures and facilities in accordance with Health & Safety at Work Regulations (1999) for theatre employees and visiting companies, ensuring that safety culture is high on the agenda of all staff and that continuous improvement is always reached for.
• Lead on all building and technical safety and welfare matters relating to the venue.
• Work with the Theatre Director and other senior management to ensure all operations and procedures within the theatre meet current legislation, industry best working practices, and ATGE policies.
• Ensure all relevant processes are completed to an appropriate standard and documented to protect the company’s interests.
• Ensure the building, permanent and temporary installations and loose equipment is tested and inspected in accordance with relevant legislation, best practice, and ATGE guidance.
• Lead on the development and monitoring of risk assessments relating to the building, plant, and technical operations.
• Ensure that suitable levels of competencies for staff and third parties can be demonstrated for any works being undertaken.