Head Scenic Artist in Croydon

Location: Croydon, South London, CR0 4RR

Salary: £45,000-£52,000 per year, depending on experience and hours, plus overtime and bonuses

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm, with flexibility and overtime available

Job type: Full-time, permanent

Start date: Immediate

Are you an experienced Head Scenic Artist ready to lead a talented paint team and deliver exceptional finishes for exciting creative projects? Join one of the UK’s leading creative construction companies and lead the department responsible for finishing distinctive sets, props and staging for television, film, theatre and live events.

About Scena: With more than 40 years in the industry, Scena Pro Ltd develops and builds sets for theatre, television, film, museums, conferences, exhibitions and live events worldwide. Based at our Croydon workshop, our skilled team brings ambitious creative concepts to life. No two weeks are the same, and every project provides an opportunity to create something memorable.

The Role: As our Head Scenic Artist, you will lead a team of scenic artists and painters across multiple projects. This is a hands‑on position combining scenic art expertise with team leadership and paint‑shop management. You will work closely with clients, designers, production managers, makers and carpenters to ensure every finish meets the required creative brief, quality standard and deadline.

• Leading, organising and supporting a team of scenic artists and painters
• Planning workloads across several concurrent projects
• Painting and decorating sets, props and staging
• Interpreting drawings, samples, designs and client specifications
• Producing scenic, decorative, textured and specialist finishes
• Liaising with clients, designers and production managers
• Advising on suitable materials, techniques and finishes
• Monitoring quality across the department
• Managing paint stock, materials and departmental ordering
• Maintaining an organised, efficient and safe paint shop
• Travelling internationally for selected projects when required

About You: We are looking for someone who has:

• Extensive experience as a Scenic Artist, Head Scenic Artist or Senior Scenic Painter
• Experience leading or supervising a team of artists or painters
• Strong scenic painting, decorating and finishing skills
• Extensive knowledge of scenery, materials and construction processes
• A passion for theatre production and creative scenic work
• Confidence communicating directly with clients and production managers
• The ability to manage multiple projects and demanding deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail and pride in producing high-quality work
• A reliable, self‑motivated and flexible approach
• The ability to commute daily to our Croydon workshop
• Experience in theatre, television, film, exhibitions or museums would be beneficial.
• Specialist decorative or faux finishes, a scenic art qualification and a full UK driving licence would also be advantageous but are not essential.

What We Offer:

• Salary of £45,000-£52,000, depending on experience and hours
• Overtime and bonus opportunities
• Monday-to-Friday working hours
• A varied pipeline of exciting creative projects
• Potential opportunities for international travel
• A supportive and friendly working environment
• The opportunity to lead a skilled team and shape the department
• Immediate start available

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Scena Pro Ltd is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.