Head Of Stage

About the Role

Join Royal Derngate in a pivotal technical leadership role at the heart of the Royal. You will oversee the delivery of ambitious productions and events, leading stage and flying operations while working closely with creative and production teams to turn ideas into live performance. If you are a technically skilled theatre professional who enjoys combining hands-on delivery with team leadership in a fast-paced producing and receiving environment, this role offers real responsibility, variety, and impact.

Job Purpose

• Act as the primary point of contact for all activity in the Royal Auditorium.
• Manage the planning, coordination, and delivery of technical staff, stage and flying equipment, and associated services for all Royal performances and events (both produced and presented), including any related spaces as required.
• Ensure all technical elements of productions (produced and presented) are safely, efficiently, and effectively installed, operated, and maintained.

Key Task Areas

• Promote and deliver excellent customer service to all internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the day-to-day management and operation of the Royal Stage Department, including stage and flying systems.
• Act as a key liaison for internal and external clients in relation to events held in the Royal and, where required, other associated performance and event spaces.
• Ensure safe working practices are adhered to at all times, in line with departmental Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) policies and procedures.
• Under the direction of the Technical Maintenance Manager, and in collaboration with the Head of Stage (Derngate) and the Heads of Lighting and Sound: Lead on the scheduling of full-time staff, ensuring calls are accurate, issued in a timely manner, and compliant with contractual and legislative requirements.
• Lead on the booking of part-time and freelance technical staff for the Royal and associated spaces.
• Recruit suitable casual technical staff in line with the organisation's recruitment and selection policies and procedures.
• Deliver induction training to new full-time and part-time departmental staff, as required.
• Conduct performance reviews for team, identifying training needs and agreeing key objectives.
• Maintain accurate financial records for the department, including show recharges and production expenses, in accordance with the organisation's financial regulations.

Produced Work in the Royal

• In conjunction with the Head of Production and the Workshop Department, play a leading role in the fit-up of in-house and visiting productions in the Royal.
• Prepare equipment in readiness for production weeks.
• Attend production meetings and liaise with the Production Manager and Designers as required.
• Support Stage Management and Craft Departments as necessary.
• Work performances as required.
• Attend meetings as required.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current and emerging equipment, working practices, and relevant legislation.
• Under the direction of the Technical Maintenance Manager, ensure that departmental risk assessments are completed, reviewed to an appropriate level, and that safe systems of work are developed, implemented, and regularly reviewed.
• Under the direction of the Technical Maintenance Manager, oversee routine and ad-hoc maintenance of backstage, stage, and associated technical areas, with particular emphasis on stage and flying systems.

Essential Skills

Essential Experience:

• Proven experience working in a mid- to large-scale receiving house.
• Proven experience delivering the technical aspects of presented work.
• Demonstrable experience managing a busy stage department.

Essential Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of stage and flying systems.
• Recognised rigging qualification.
• Strong understanding of receiving house and touring techniques.
• Clear understanding of, and commitment to, live performance.

Essential Skills:

• IT literate, with experience using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective people management and leadership skills.
• Competence in the operation of technical control equipment.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Calm and effective under pressure.
• Courteous, enthusiastic, and professional approach.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Customer-focused mindset.
• Motivated, proactive leader with the ability to support and develop others.
• Strong team player with a collaborative approach.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings and weekends as required.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience working in a venue with a large and active education programme.
• Experience managing staff within a large, multi-format performance space.
• Experience of working within a repertory house.
• Experience delivering large-scale corporate events.

Desirable Knowledge:

• Knowledge of producing theatre techniques.
• Knowledge of theatre licensing and Public Entertainment Licensing (PEL).
• Qualified workplace first aider.
• IOSH qualification.
• IPAF qualification.
• Working knowledge of Artifax and Exchequer.
• Knowledge of building plant and machinery.

How to Apply:

Please submit a covering letter outlining your interest and how your skills and experience fit the requirements of the role, along with your CV.

Closing Date: 5 March

Interviews: w/c 9 March