Technical Manager - Derby Theatre

This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location. We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better. The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

At Derby Theatre, we are a charity and a National Portfolio organisation for Arts Council England, and we’re known for artistic excellence. We’re committed to education. And we believe that theatre can change your life. Previously Derby Playhouse, we have a long and important theatrical history. As Derby Theatre, we work in partnership with the University of Derby and are a home for higher education students. We produce new plays and projects, collaborate with artists and local people, and offer training for young people too, with opportunities for learners of all ages. It’s all about empowering people to tap into their potential and achieve.

The Technical Department is part of the wider Production Department, led by the Technical Manager and comprises of the Head of Stage, Head of Lighting & AV, Head of Sound, and three multi-disciplinary Technicians. The department works on all Produced and Received shows, and on external hires and internal projects, including the theatre's large Youth Theatre and outreach events. The department provides all aspects of technical theatre support, from set builds to show operation, fit-ups to get outs, workshops with school groups to assisting the university Theatre Arts students; if there’s a technical part then we’re part of it.

The Technical Manager line-manages the Technical Department, overseeing the day-to-day duties of the team, ensuring their Health and Safety and welfare, and assessing any training and development needs. The Technical Manager is the primary contact for all incoming productions and hires, working with them in advance to ensure that all technical and staffing needs are met, and that work is made to the highest standards possible within the time and financial resources agreed and available. At the end of the engagement, you will be responsible for recharge and payroll, allocating charges to their relevant budget centres. During periods of Produced shows, you will work with the Head of Production to ensure the same quality and results throughout.

The job is predominantly office-based with office hours, but some hands-on and evenings/weekends will be expected. You will have significant experience in a senior technical role in a professional theatre or entertainments venue, you will have thorough knowledge and expertise of technical theatre, including producing shows. You will have proven leadership skills, and have the ability to work with a wide range of people, personalities, and departments, sometimes under a great deal of time pressure. You will be competent and confident in regards to industry Health and Safety, accomplished and accurate in IT skills and record-keeping, and have an interest in supporting learners of all ages. As this role involves working with young people, a full DBS check will be required.

Work with creative and production teams to facilitate their requirements to the highest possible artistic standards, within the time and financial resources available. Support the delivery of all produced work, including on and off site. Manage the Heads of Department to ensure all budgets and deadlines are met. Ensure that safe systems of work are in place and followed for the construction, maintenance and dismantling of scenery and equipment relating to all activities and events held at Derby Theatre. Plan and programme adequate staffing to safely and efficiently support all received and in-house productions are adequately staffed from fit-up through to get-out, adhering to the UK Theatre/BECTU and In House Agreements. Work alongside the Senior Producer to ensure proposed touring work is suitable for Derby Theatre from a technical standpoint. Manage the technical requirements of visiting companies and hirers, acting as the main technical point of contact. Disseminate any relevant information from technical riders to colleagues across the theatre, ensuring understanding and ability to deliver. Manage the technical department recharges, ensuring applicable costs are charged to visiting companies. Contribute to the objective and budget setting for the technical department and the wider production department. Manage the allocated budget to ensure efficient financial planning objectives.

Line manage all technical team members working at Derby Theatre and oversee their day-to-day duties, lead the recruitment and selection of new employees in the department and carry out annual appraisals; assess training and development needs. Manage and complete the payroll process for substantive and atypical technicians, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Forward plan project works, making recommendations to the Senior Leadership Team for the best development and management of technical resources for the medium to long term. Manage and monitor the technical equipment and to ensure it is maintained in a safe condition. Actively understand and promote the values and mission of the Learning Theatre. 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. Provide technical support to assigned learning productions and projects.

As the Health & Safety lead for the technical department, implement and oversee the management of health and safety in all backstage and onstage areas. Ensure compliance with Health & Safety regulations and keep updated about changes and forthcoming changes to such regulations. Plan all statutory inspections and ensure accurate records and inventory are kept; ensure compliance with inspection results and any other health and safety monitoring results in the technical department. Identify hazards and complete suitable risk assessments for all departmental related activities. Produce and maintain any other health and safety records relevant to the department as required. Ensure that all training records for the department are completed and communicated to staff. As a member of the Health & Safety committee, contribute to the safety culture of the wider organization. Liaise with and provide advice to colleagues and staff within the department and across the building on health and safety matters. 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.

Take an active role in the team and staff as a whole, and attend team, departmental or cross-organisation meetings as required. Ensure that Derby Theatre’s policies, procedures and values are observed in every area of the department’s work. Act always in the best interests of Derby Theatre, protecting intellectual property and confidential information at all times. Carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required from time to time, commensurate with the level of the post. We expect all Derby Theatre staff to work in a flexible manner to effectively deliver their role and in line with the objectives of the company, including the Learning Theatre model, Equality and Diversity, and Sustainability.

This job description is intended as a guide to the nature of the work required of this position, it is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and is subject to review.

• Significant experience of a senior technical role working within a theatre or entertainment venue
• Experience managing budgets
• Experience of conducting, monitoring and reviewing risk assessments
• Experience of supporting learners of different ages, including students and young people

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Expertise and thorough practical knowledge of technical theatre, including in-house productions
• Proven leadership skills
• Ability to work with and support a wide range of people across departments.
• Accuracy and excellent attention to detail
• Excellent IT and computer skills
• Ability to interpret and work from technical drawings
• Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation, procedures and policies
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work comfortably at height

Business requirements

• Work evening, weekends and public holidays, as required.

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in Health and Safety
• First Aid training
• Working at Height and /or IPAF qualification
• Full UK driving license

Experience

• Experience in the use of AutoCAD
• Experience of programming and operating theatre lighting and sound desks

Please refer to the job description for Derby Theatre benefits. Please note benefits from University of Derby do not apply.

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Mike Redley, Head of Production via m.redley@derby.ac.uk. For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

The Theatre is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK. 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. To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

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.

Start your journey to success by applying today.

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application. The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk. Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy. 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.