Head of Stage (Deputy Technical Manager) in Liverpool

This is a very exciting opportunity for the right individual to join and assist in leading the Technical Team at the Liverpool Empire. Reporting to the Technical & Building Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring our standards of presentation, both on stage and in the rest of the building, are exemplary. You will assist in the leadership and delivery of the technical operations of the venue.

This role will provide leadership on all day-to-day aspects of the stage infrastructure within the theatre relating to both the production and the building. Working closely with the Technical Manager, you will ensure there is an efficient, cost effective and robust maintenance plan in place, meeting all operational and compliance needs from a stage maintenance perspective. You will oversee casual stage crew and dressers, and alongside the Head of Lighting and Sound, oversee the senior technicians and communicate closely with visiting productions & show management to ensure a smooth get in, fit up and get out. This role will involve regular evening and weekend work. Management experience is essential. The role is offered on an annualised hours contract, meaning that working hours may vary throughout the year and payment for any premium hours, such as get outs, are all included in the annual salary. The role will be subject to a 6 month satisfactory probation period. You will be working in a fast-paced environment, with no two days the same. Please note, your role may involve working with children or vulnerable people.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Technical Manager in the implementation and monitoring of procedures and facilities in accordance with relevant legislation and ATG Entertainment policies.
• Lead on all stage matters relating to visiting productions, ensuring a robust, cost‑effective plan is in place for all visiting productions.
• Lead and ensure the smooth running of fit ups, get outs and shows, in line with health and safety legislation and the requirements of the visiting company.
• Alongside other members of the technical department, work on show fit‑ups, get‑outs and as duty technician on productions.
• Flexibility is key and the ability to cover absences at short notice is important.
• In the role of duty technician, respond to fire alarm activations and carry out relevant investigative and evacuation tasks in line with ATG policies.
• Assist in the efficient scheduling of technical staff to service the operational needs of the Liverpool Empire.
• Take the lead in advance communication with visiting productions, ensuring a timely exchange of the production’s technical needs, staffing and safety information and to disseminate production information to all affected parties as it is received.
• Ensure all productions are aware of their responsibilities under the CDM Regulations.
• Ensure that the producers, promoters, touring companies, and production teams receive the highest standards of customer care at all times.
• Assist with generating costings for incoming production companies.
• When required, help to arrange hire kit for visiting companies, as well as additional outside crew, runners or catering assistants.
• Manage timesheets for all casual staff weekly, ensuring that they are correct and accurately reflect the needs of the Theatre and visiting production.
• Ensure the safe, tidy and efficient use of all storage areas within the theatre, and promote good housekeeping throughout the technical department.
• Deputise for the Technical Manager in their absence, including weekly Senior Management Team meetings and monthly Health & Safety meetings.

Property, Building and Maintenance

• In conjunction with the Technical & Building Manager, venue maintenance team and ATG Property Services, track and log venue inspections, services and maintenance visits, and actions raised.
• Communicate with relevant contractors and ensure all visits are scheduled around other Theatre commitments and that all occur within the required intervals.
• Alongside the Head of Lighting & Sound, take ownership of Tracking This digital compliance system actions as well as monthly workplace inspections.
• Work with the Technical & Building Manager to manage and monitor the performance of outside contractors where appropriate, ensuring that all work is carried out to the highest possible standards and in line with Health & Safety requirements.
• Maintain prioritised lists of projects and requirements, both to be fulfilled in-house and for submission for inclusion in the Theatre’s 5 year capital expenditure plans.
• Plan and execute certain in-house refurbishment and installation projects, within venue budget and staffing constraints.
• Create, review and revise risk assessments, safe working practices, COSHH assessments and rescue plans on a regular basis.

Health and Safety

• Implement and comply with the companies Health & Safety Policy and Risk Management System, maintaining the safest possible environment for your colleagues, visiting companies and customers.
• Support in training for staff across the venue on H&S matters, including manual handling, as required.
• Ensure that any points raised through audits are actioned within the appropriate timescales.
• Assist the Technical & Building Manager in ensuring that productions provide CDM/risk assessment detail, specific to venue, in advance of their visit and that venue policies, including on hot works, are followed throughout their time on site.

Staff Development, Training and Relationships

• Undertake training courses as required to meet the needs of the Theatre and for further self‑development.
• Assist in the development of a skilled, cohesive, and motivated team by ensuring high standards of recruitment, communication, development and training.
• Recruit, train, appraise and manage your teams to ensure business and departmental objectives are achieved throughout the team.
• Develop a positive working relationship and continuously manage a healthy communication with trade union members of the technical team.

Other Duties

• At times, and as the business requires, work at other ATG venues.
• Undertake any such duties and training as may be considered reasonable.
• Be a key holder for the building/buildings call out list in case of emergencies.

Your skills, qualities, and experience

We welcome transferable skills from other industries. If you can demonstrate many of the essential skills, qualities and experience we encourage you to apply. We are able to provide training where necessary.

Essential Qualifications

• Previous experience working at a senior level within a Technical Department in a large‑scale theatre or similar.
• Proven hands‑on Technical Theatre experience and knowledge.
• Experience in co‑ordinating fit‑ups.
• Experience of counterweight flying systems.
• Entertainment rigging experience.
• Experienced in the implementation of safe systems of work, and developing a safety culture, managing Health and Safety at Work in a theatre or similar context.
• Experienced in risk assessment writing and review.
• Production carpentry experience in a theatre environment.
• Manual Handling experience.
• Working At Height experience.
• Computer literate.

Desirable Qualifications

• Familiarity with digital compliance systems.
• Recognised health and safety at work certification.
• Experience of delivering training.
• Experience of scenic construction techniques.
• Experience in production or project management.
• Stakeholder management – working with producers and clients.
• Large scale touring experience.
• First Aid and/or Mental Health First Aid training.
• Experience with Office365.
• Experience in delivering staff training.

EEO Statement

We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We will offer an interview or recruitment event to disabled candidates who tell us they wish to participate in the scheme and who demonstrate in their application that they best meet the essential criteria for the role. Where we receive more applications than we are reasonably able to interview for any given role, we will retain applications for the next available interview opportunity wherever possible.