Head of Production and Premises

HEAD OF PRODUCTION AND PREMISES

Welcome to Derby Theatre

We’re pleased that you’re interested in our new vacancy – HEAD OF PRODUCTION AND PREMISES– and have decided to find out more.

About Derby Theatre

'Increasingly the most crucial theatre in the region because of its emphasis on learning, nurturing and nourishing'

Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

Derby Theatre has pioneered a new vision of what a regional producing theatre can be with its ground-breaking Learning Theatre model, which was established in 2013. This has transformed the theatre from a traditional producing house into an organisation that places learning at the heart of its mission.

The organisation builds on the producing theatre tradition established by its forerunner, Derby Playhouse, which operated on the same site from 1975 until 2008, when it was succeeded by Derby Theatre. Under the leadership of Artistic Director and Chief Executive Sarah Brigham, Derby Theatre continues to go from strength to strength.

We produce high quality professional theatre productions for the mid and small scale in conversation and dialogue with the community we sit in.

In a unique relationship, students from the University of Derby’s degree programmes study in the theatre, both learning from our professional staff and putting on productions in a professional environment.

Our innovative artist development scheme – In Good Company – brings emerging creatives into the heart of the organisation, offering a range of support, mentoring, networking and learning that is transforming the artistic ecology of the region.

Over 25,000 young people engage in our schools and community outreach programme, and we run a bespoke programme for young people in care (Plus One).

Since 2015 Derby Theatre has been one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations, and in July 2017 we had the fantastic news that our funding would be increased by 59%. Also in 2017 we won the prestigious Clothworkers’ Award at the UK Theatre awards, securing £150,000 in additional funding to expand our work with the local community.

What we do

Derby Theatre typically produces 6-7 in-house shows each year, plus co-productions with our associate artists and a number of student and youth productions.

On the main stage, we produce work in spring, autumn and at Christmas, while in the studio we produce a Christmas show for young audiences. From 2018 we will also produce a family show at Easter, a piece of theatre for under 5s, and a biennial RETOLD production which will explore a classic tale from the female perspective.

Our received programme encompasses touring theatre, comedy, contemporary dance, music and other events, and we host over 70 touring productions per year on the main stage and in our studio. Our studio houses a dynamic programme of contemporary theatre,comedy, and family theatre.

We also run an innovative programme of learning events and activities in a range of settings, including our Theatre Unwrapped programme, which shares the process of theatre-making with our audiences. These free sessions are designed to take audiences behind the scenes as we prepare for the opening night of a Derby Theatre production.

Over 90,000 people visit the theatre every year, making the most of our vibrant programme, and we participate in city-wide cultural initiatives such as Derby’s Cultural Education Partnership, Derby Feste and more.

It’s an exciting time to join Derby Theatre, as our Learning Theatre model flourishes, our national and local profile increases, and the reach of our work extends.

Derby Theatre’s Vision is:

To engage, empower, inspire and enable the widest possible audience through transformational learning and theatre.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: HEAD OF PRODUCTION AND PREMISES

Responsible to:EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Responsible for:DIRECT REPORTS: TECHNICAL MANAGER, HEAD OF WARDROBE, COMPANY & STAGE MANAGER, PRODUCTION ASSISTANT, BUILDING CARETAKER

Key Relationships:

-RESPONSIBLE TO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR &CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR ALL PRODUCTION-RELATED MATTERS

-ALL ABOVE PLUS SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM, PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL TEAM, SENIOR PRODUCER, ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE LEARNING TEAMS, FREELANCE CREATIVE TEAMS

Purpose of Post

The post of Head of Production and Premises supports the delivery of a first-class theatre experience to our audiences, the maximising of educational and learning opportunities within the theatre, and the achievement of strategic business targets. The purpose of this post is to ensure that Derby Theatre’s production and building services are delivered effectively. You will be responsible for technical service delivery, premises maintenance, and the post has overall responsibility for Health & Safety and Fire Safety, delivering best value and complete legislative and contractual compliance.

Duties

Production and Technical

To act as Production Manager for Derby Theatre productions / co-productions, learning projects, events and associate productions:
Facilitating and overseeing the technical staging requirements for each production as required by the Designer and Director, within budgetary and other parameters
Working with incoming production teams to implement lighting, sound and staging requirements
Leading production meetings, attending rehearsals when appropriate, overseeing technical rehearsals, get-ins, get-outs and performances as required
To liaise with and support the creative teams on each of our produced shows; to draw up plans, budgets and schedules to realise the productions; to arrange for the construction, purchase and/or hire of all design elements; to provide expertise and specialist technical help to the creative teams as required
To support the Technical Manager (TM) in facilitating touring productions, visiting productions, events, workshops and hires
To work with the Artistic and Learning Team to develop and support projects for students, emerging artists, young people and the community
To support visiting companies, freelance artists and staff to understand their responsibilities regarding the learning programme e.g. shadow work placements, Theatre Unwrapped programme
To oversee the Production Assistant who organises child-licencing, chaperoning and health and safety for produced shows.

Management and Staffing

To be an active member of the Senior Management Team within Derby Theatre, contributing to the development of the business strategy and ensuring our values run throughout the organisation
To undertake line management responsibility for the Technical Manager, Company & Stage Manager, Head of Wardrobe and Production Assistant
To support the TM to recruit and manage all permanent and casual Production and Technical staff and to ensure that appropriate staffing arrangements are in place for scheduled programme and learning activities
To support the Stage Management team and the Technical Manager in facilitating productions, events and hires
In collaboration with the Senior Producer to lead on the contracting of production creative teams
To promote good working practices and maintain our values at all times within the department
To foster good working relationships and co-operation with all departments of the Theatre by communicating well with other departments, and actively seeking to assist other departments where possible
In conjunction with the TM to assess the training requirements of Technical staff (including casual staff) and arranging relevant training

Financial

To set annual budgets for the department
To oversee the expenditure of the Technical and Production budgets ensuring that the expenditure is appropriate and within budget and providing and maintaining appropriate systems to monitor and record expenditure
To adhere to set budgets, keeping the Executive Director informed of any changes to budget, providing costings and seeking, where appropriate, authority for expenditure
To uphold the University of Derby’s Financial Regulations

Maintenance & Health and Safety

To be the first point of contact for building enquiries, ensuring the building is maintained in a good state of repair and overseeing any capital works in conjunction with the University Estates Team
To manage routine planned maintenance to ensure that Derby Theatre is contractually and legislatively compliant
To plan maintenance tasks, as appropriate, throughout the building in liaison with the Building Caretaker
Reporting to the Executive Director plans for any maintenance work that needs to be carried out
In conjunction with the TM to ensure the upkeep of stage, rehearsal studios and workshop equipment, including statutory annual inspections and regular maintenance and keeping good records of equipment and the maintenance thereof
To oversee Fire Safety and Health & Safety for the organisation including the policy, maintenance, certification, compliance and management of all plant and technical equipment as required under Health & Safety legislation
To ensure all organisational activity complies with legislation, is certificated as required, has the correct risk assessment and method statement documentation, and where necessary, have been inspected by the relevant authorities; to maintain proper and complete records and respond to developments or changes in legislation; to ensure each production, project or activity complies with CDM and Health and Safety policy; to ensure and to provide risk assessments for organisational activities; to advise and instruct production and building maintenance staff on safe procedures; to provide any training required.
To provide Health & Safety reports for organisational activities, as required
To work closely with colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the building

General

To actively support and promote Derby Theatre’s commitment to providing a learning environment for students of the University of Derby’s Theatre-related higher education provision
To deputise in the absence of the Leadership Team
To keep up to date with developments inthe industry as they relate to your role, and to contribute to the overall development of the department and organisation

To take an active role in the team and staff as a whole, and to attend team, departmental or cross-organisation meetings as required
Ensure that Derby Theatre policies, procedures and ethos are observed in every area of the department’s work, and to ensure that General Data Protection Regulations are adhered to as they relate to your role. To contribute to the development of departmental policies and practices.
To act always in the best interests of Derby Theatre, protecting intellectual property and confidential information at all times
To carry out any otherduties 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
The job description for this position may be reviewed and amended to incorporate the future needs of the department and the organisation

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.

HEAD OF PRODUCTION AND PREMISES

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Experience of working in a senior role within a professional theatre/arts environment
Proven production management and touring experience
Previous production and/or technical experience of working in a producing theatre
Previous experience of working with and supporting creative teams
Proven leadership skills, with experience of managing teams and staffing requirements of a busy venue
Thorough knowledge and experience of current stage and rigging techniques
Formal Health & Safety qualification, e.g. IOSH or NEBOSH, and experience of managing Health & Safety compliance within an Arts environment
Knowledge and/or training in managing specific areas of Health & Safety, including First Aid, Risk Assessment, Fire Marshall Training, Manual Handling, Working at Height (Rope Access, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms etc), LOLER, PUWER and COSHH
Ability to remain calm whilst working under pressure
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
Working knowledge of business continuity planning
Experience of office administration including use of Word and Excel and specialist theatre software
Working knowledge of CAD software e.g. AutoCAD or Vectorworks
Demonstrable ability and willingness to take on responsibility and make decisions
Commitment to supporting the learning and educational programmes at the Theatre
Genuine enthusiasm for theatre and an understanding of the importance of broadening access to theatre to the widest possible audience
A flexible approach to working hours
A positive, ‘can-do’ attitude to work, and a desire to continuously improve working practices
A willingness to share the creative process with learners of all ages and abilities.

Desirable

Experience of building maintenance management
Experience of integrated learning activity
Experience of production managing shows with community, student and young company involvement
AV, lighting, sound and set design knowledge
First Aid certification
Interest in environmental issues and in improving theatre and building environmental controls

MAIN TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Salary:Up to£32,750per annum (depending on experience)

Hours:39 hours per week

To include evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays
TOIL, Overtime and TMA managed and paid in accordance with BECTU and the Derby Theatre House Agreement

Holiday:28 days per annum, including Bank Holidays, rising in accordance

with the BECTU agreement

Pension:Derby Theatre operates a contributory pension scheme provided by NEST

Probation:This post is subject to a six month probationary period

Notice One month during probationary period, three months thereafter

Benefits:Complimentary or discounted tickets to selected shows (non-transferable and subject to availability), childcare vouchers scheme,free travel on University of Derby buses, intu discount card offering discounts at a wide range of stores.

Other TermsIn accordance with the BECTU and Derby Theatre House Agreements

HOW TO APPLY

Please visit our website download an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form. You must fill this form out to apply as no CVs will be accepted.

Please email your completed application form and equal opportunities monitoring form to

We positively encourage people with disabilities or from minority ethnic backgrounds to apply to join our teams as they are under-represented within Derby Theatre’s workforce.We guarantee to interview any candidate with a disability or from an ethnic minority background who meets the essential criteria for the role.

Closing Date:9am, Monday 9th April

Interview Date:Friday 20th April

01/03/18