Stage Technician in Manchester

Stage Technician role at Factory International. Our expert technical teams deliver the physical elements of all shows, artworks and events, working with the Programming and Producing teams to realise ideas safely, sustainably and innovatively. The team delivers a range of work including live music, theatre, VR installations and projection mapping, large art installations and festivals.

Responsibilities:

• Support the department heads in the operation and deployment of all aspects of Factory International’s technical equipment with particular emphasis on stage, scenic and installation equipment.
• Lead on venue format changeovers to include stage builds and de-rigs, seating bank deployment, movement of the venue Multiwall partitions, venue masking and crowd barrier deployment.
• Act as signaller and truck lift operator for incoming vehicles.
• Act as Technical Stage Manager on events as required.
• Assist the rigging team as required and as appropriate.
• Familiarise yourself with the venue’s technical equipment, infrastructure and processes including staging and rigging, truck lifts, equipment movement solutions and technical stage management.
• Prepare stage and seating equipment and venue spaces in readiness for event load-ins.
• De-prep equipment as required and ensure items are stored safely and securely.
• Report faults or issues promptly to department heads or technical manager and carry out first line fault finding and maintenance when appropriate.
• Participate in organising and supervising get-ins, rehearsals, show runs and get-outs.
• Plan staffing levels and allocate equipment for the department, ensuring compliance with current Health & Safety legislation and Environmental Good Practice.
• Liaise with department heads, production managers, stage management, show crew and other technical teams to assess feasibility and cost implications of set and stage designs and deployment for productions and events.
• Coordinate and work with discipline-specific team members and freelance staff in the delivery of stage equipment during concerts, artworks, shows and events within the building.
• Assist in rigging and operation of equipment across venue spaces and program and operate automation as necessary.
• Where required, assist in stage design for in-house productions and events.
• Attend production meetings, rehearsals and technical rehearsals as required.
• Liaise with visiting technical departments to ensure requirements are met and compliance with Factory policies.
• Work with team members to identify, develop and promote production-related income streams and maximise return on the commercial contract.
• Work on a rota system which includes evening, overnight and weekend work.
• Lead shifts when required in the absence of a Technical Duty Manager.
• Provide advice to all users of the venue on the safe and proper use of stage equipment.
• Deliver all aspects of the venue’s stage services to a high standard.
• Plan and deliver an effective programme of maintenance (including Planned Preventative Maintenance), housekeeping, stock control and testing for all department equipment in the building.

Person specification:

ESSENTIAL

• A proactive, flexible and collaborative approach to working.
• Practical knowledge and experience of technical stage operations in one or more art form (live music, theatre, performance art, etc), preferably in a producing environment.
• Ability to manage and communicate with staff effectively at all levels.
• Experience of theatre and event set, stage and seating deployment and techniques.
• Knowledge of safe rigging practices and ability to assist with ground rigging.
• Familiarity with various industry terminology, techniques and procedures.
• Experience of supervising casual and agency staff with demonstrable supervisory skills.
• Knowledge of technical drawing programs including AutoCAD and Vectorworks.
• Ability to interpret information from schematics, ground plans, tech specifications and schedule.
• Ability to work well under pressure and to prioritise competing workload demands.
• Experience of receiving or delivering large scale national and international touring productions.
• Comfortable working at height.
• Knowledge of the principles relating to the safe deployment and use of electricity, and an ability to apply this knowledge in practical situations typically required in an entertainment environment.
• Experience of Health & Safety practice and procedures including Risk Assessments.
• Commitment to championing representation and inclusion at every level of the organisation with a proven ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

DESIRABLE

• Demonstrable experience of technical stage management.
• Experience working with Steeldeck and HOAC staging systems.
• Relevant training and certification including IPAF, PASMA training, Emergency first aid at work training or similar, CSCS certification, 3-Day Rigging for the Entertainment Industry course or similar.
• A practical knowledge of LOLER, PUWER and other relevant Health and Safety regulations within a large receiving venue.
• Experience of Co-production/collaboration with a variety of partners and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of CAD, MS Office, Artifax Event or similar resource management system.
• Aware of current trends in venue technology.
• Experience of touring.
• Full UK Drivers Licence.
• Appropriate qualification in technical theatre from an accredited college, university, ABTT or industry-relevant training courses.
• Understanding of employment issues.
• Understanding of ABTT Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment.
• Enthusiasm for training, mentoring and support of emerging talent.