Senior AV Manager

Location: 21 Albemarle Street, London

Contract: Permanent, full-time (35 hours) flexible hours worked on a rota, including evenings and weekends

Salary: c£55,000 per annum

About the Ri

The purpose of the Royal Institution is to connect as many people as possible with science. We've been doing it for well over 200 years and have an international reach, working with world-leading scientists. We talk, and listen, to the public. We help scientists talk, and listen, to the public. We develop critical thinking and a spirit of exploration in young people through our educational work.

Our Grade I listed building in Mayfair is also a busy and vibrant events venue, offering the perfect location for private and corporate events. Our historic Georgian rooms with fine portraits and original features and contemporary spaces are all equipped with a wide variety of AV technology to suit the clients' needs.

About You

Do you have experience of leading and developing a small AV team, overseeing the scheduling and delivery of audio visual and livestreaming services? This role leads and manages AV and Livestreaming services across the organisation to support internal and external customers, ensuring excellent customer service and client experience of the Royal Institution (Ri). The role combines hands-on technical delivery with strategic management, requiring effective collaboration with key stakeholders across the Ri to ensure high quality AV provision for live events and filming and livestreaming.

You will oversee the Ri’s AV infrastructure including maintenance, testing and servicing of all AV equipment. This is a uniquely positioned and commercially focused, customer service role. You will be a budget holder with responsibility to develop the Ri’s AV business plan, generating income through the competitive supply of AV and livestreaming packages in conjunction with our venue hire team.

This is a permanent, onsite role delivered on a flexible work pattern, requiring early morning, evening and weekend working to fit in with our programme of events at the Ri.

Main responsibilities of the role:

• Manage, develop and mentor the AV Technicians and Senior AV Technician Livestream Lead, overseeing scheduling and delivery and providing day-to-day guidance and problem solving to ensure effective service delivery.
• Manage AV staffing (including freelance technicians) to ensure cover across in room event support and livestreaming, including evening and weekends.
• Oversee all Audio-Visual infrastructure at the Ri including maintenance, testing and servicing of all AV equipment.
• Collaborate effectively with key stakeholders across the Ri, including Venue Hire, IT, Programmes, Digital and Facilities to deliver high quality events and ensure continuous improvement.
• Manage the AV budget and develop the AV business plan to support the Ri strategy, helping to create value for Ri programmes and enhance commercial venue hire packages.
• Generate income through the competitive supply of AV services for events, identifying opportunities and creating competitive and compelling AV and livestreaming packages.
• Collaborate with the Venue Hire team to advise clients on AV & filming/livestream needs for events; establishing, advising and ensuring the delivery of AV requirements that meet customers’ expectations.
• Work with internal Programmes teams to ensure a high level of technical support for all events from conception to delivery.
• Plan and execute an extensive programme of filmed and livestreamed events, liaising with the digital team to ensure efficient delivery to our online channels.
• Develop business cases for strategic AV upgrades. Work with the fundraising team to develop funding bids. Plan and develop these incorporating them into the pipeline of AV works.
• Develop and adapt AV procedures which incorporate our CRM and ensure a consistent high level of service to all users.
• Work with stakeholders to streamline archiving of audio and video recordings of our programme of events.
• Support the Head of IT in the planning, delivery and improvement of IT services, deputising where appropriate.

Skills, experience and knowledge:

• Significant experience leading a technical team in a busy multi-use events venue.
• Hands on expert knowledge of all areas of audio visual including Lighting, Sound, Video and AV infrastructure.
• Experience configuring AV equipment - such as video switchers or streaming encoders.
• Experience of customer service, and a proven ability to build co-operative relationships with end users and clients.
• Excellent telephone manner and ability to communicate effectively with a range of customers.
• Working knowledge of IT systems: Including Office programs, CRM (preferably Salesforce), Hybrid technologies, Network Infrastructure and AV specific programs.
• A solid understanding of IP networking, including how devices communicate across a network, how IP addressing and subnetting work.
• Ability to work alongside the IT team to troubleshoot connectivity issues, ensuring AV traffic is prioritised appropriately, and keeping systems running smoothly across both wired and wireless infrastructure.
• Strong experience of line management and developing people and services in a technical environment.
• Educated to A Level or equivalent standard in English and Maths or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Professional qualification in AV at level 3 or equivalent experience.
• Understanding of how VLANs and network segmentation apply to AV systems.
• Experience of working on budgets, business cases and funding bids.
• Experience of working in a Heritage building.

Personal Attributes:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to work collaboratively.
• Able to find pragmatic solutions, seek improvements, and adapt to changing situations.
• Able to present information, verbally and in writing, in a clear and concise manner, with excellent attention to detail.
• Positive “can do” attitude and willingness to support others where needed.
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to work regular evenings and weekends.

How to apply:

If the above sounds interesting and exciting to you, please click the "Apply Now" button below and complete the application form. Kindly upload your CV along with a supporting statement of no more than 500 words, outlining how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the role.

Closing date for applications: 9am Tuesday 2 June 2026

Interviews: We are planning to hold first interviews week commencing 8 June 2026.

This role may involve out of hours working, including early mornings, late evenings and weekend working. We welcome applicants seeking flexible working, and will accommodate these where possible in line with business need.