Head of Lighting & AV

• £29,091 to £32,323 per annum plus overtime and UKT/BECTU Get Outs as applicable
• Onsite

This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

The Technical Department is part of the wider Production Department, led by the Technical Manager.

It provides all aspects of technical theatre support, from set builds to show operation, fit-ups to get‑outs, workshops with school groups and support to university Theatre Arts students.

Duties for produced work will include working with designers to accurately and safely realise their plans, and the design and creation of practical effects.

For received work, duties will include liaising with incoming companies to match their requests to our equipment, and managing the rigging of lighting and AV in a safe and timely manner.

All to the highest standards possible within the time and financial resources agreed and available.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team of lighting technicians, ensuring the wellbeing, motivation, professional development and satisfactory conduct of all assigned staff.
• Directly supervise the work of technicians.

Instruct team members, allocate work and ensure work is processed accurately and on time.

Oversee and run fit‑ups, get‑outs and operate shows in accordance with staff rotas.

• Administrate the running of the department; provide schedules, budgets and time sheets as required.

Recruit, supervise and manage all Lighting Department team members working at Derby Theatre ensuring their time is scheduled as effectively as possible adhering to the UK Theatre/BECTU Agreement.

• Use judgement, technical knowledge and expertise to provide advice, guidance and solutions in your specialist areas of risk and expenditure.

Influence outcomes to achieve long‑term resilience for your department.

• Keep yourself and your team aware of developments and issues developing in Derby Theatre and the wider theatre industry.
• Depute in the absence of the Technical Manager.
• Work closely with multiple touring companies, directors and designers to ensure their artistic vision can be safely delivered, and within timescale and budget.
• Act as Duty Technician, as required, taking responsibility for the security of the building, its occupants and associated equipment.
• Be familiar and comply with current Health & Safety regulations relevant to the industry and keep abreast of changes to such regulations.
• Implement and oversee Health & Safety in all backstage and onstage areas, including the control room, adhering to Health & Safety regulations and the in‑house Health & Safety policy.
• Be responsible for creating and monitoring suitable risk assessments and method statements for all department related activities, and producing and maintaining PAT, COSHH and any other Health & Safety records relevant to the department as required.

Liaise with the Head of Production regarding production or building Health & Safety issues that may affect performing or incoming companies.

• Set and lead standards for in‑house safe electrical working, and work with designers and directors to be sure incoming rigs can be safely achieved.
• Translate complex rig and patch plans to the stage, using expertise at design stage to negotiate, influence and inform the creative team to produce workable schemes of design.
• Plan, oversee, create and install all rehearsal and production practicals as necessary.
• Ensure that assigned budgets are managed efficiently and to assist the Head of Production and Technical Manager in financial planning and budgeting objectives.
• Identify additional income generation opportunities from department resources.
• Keep up to date with environmental best practice in the theatre industry, such as the Green Book and Julie’s Bicycle monitoring tools.
• Monitor the use of materials and equipment in use, looking at levels of re‑use, recycling and reduced energy consumption; and champion and develop the use of more environmental policies in the production department.
• Actively support Derby Theatre’s Learning Theatre model, including engaging with the University of Derby’s Theatre‑related higher education provision.
• Lead and facilitate learning opportunities and support the theatre’s wider role as a learning environment.
• Keep up to date with developments in the industry as they relate to your role, and contribute to the overall development of the department and organisation.
• Ensure that Derby Theatre’s policies, procedures and values are observed in every area of the department’s work.
• Engage with multiple stakeholders within Derby Theatre and beyond as a subject‑matter expert, delivering technical expertise to productions, design, rehearsals and performances.
• Be responsible for the safe and efficient storage, maintenance, and record‑keeping of all Lighting Department equipment, and ensure that backstage areas are kept in an excellent state of cleanliness at all times.
• In conjunction with the Technical Manager and other Heads of Departments, plan and carry out repairs, alterations and improvements to the stage and workshop.
• Provide the highest level of customer and audience care at all times.
• Drive company vehicles as required and be responsible for booking vehicles and ensuring the Theatre is compliant with University of Derby transport procedures.
• Act always in the best interests of Derby Theatre, protecting intellectual property and confidential information at all times.
• A proven track‑record of working in a lighting department in a similar‑sized producing and receiving theatre.
• Proven leadership and communication skills, with the ability to delegate and to take control when needed, while remaining calm under pressure.
• Experience of programming ETC lighting desks for mid‑scale to large shows.
• Experience of QLab operation/programming for mid‑scale to large shows.
• Experience of video programming.

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience of theatre lighting and AV equipment and rigging techniques.
• Comprehensive knowledge of programming and troubleshooting ETC consoles.
• Comprehensive knowledge of programming and troubleshooting QLab.
• Ability to work from technical drawings.
• Ability to carry out the physical demands of the role, including Get‑Ins and Outs, working at height, and evening and weekend work as required.
• Knowledge of working with and implementation of the UKT/BECTU agreement.
• Willingness and ability to support learners of different ages, including students and young people.
• Business requirements
• Completed Enhanced DBS check with Child Barred List Check

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in Health and Safety
• Recognised electrical qualification.
• IPAF and/or Tallescope certificate.
• First Aid training.
• Full UK driving licence.

Experience

• Experience of working in a similar role.
• Experience of managing budgets.
• Experience working with students and/or young people.

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Skills in CAD software such as Auto CAD or Vectorworks
• Confidence with counter‑weight flying systems
• An understanding of environmental issues and how theatre production contributes to them.

Please refer to the job description for Derby Theatre benefits.

Please note benefits from University of Derby do not apply.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

At Derby Theatre we aim to actively champion and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all of those we work with and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.

We positively encourage disabled people, people of African or Caribbean heritage, South Asian heritage, East Asian heritage, West Asian heritage, Central Asian heritage, South East Asian heritage and people of Middle East and North African heritage and those who have experienced racism.

By the term ‘those who have experienced racism’, we are referring to individuals who have experienced discrimination based on the colour of their skin, race and/or their culture.

We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do.

We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities.

In line with the University’s strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University’s objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children.

At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody’s concern.

#J-18808-Ljbffr