Technical and Production Manager Job Description

An Tobar and Mull Theatre is a multi-artform creative hub on the Hebridean island of Mull.

We’re looking for an experienced and pragmatic Technical Manager to join our happy, busy team working in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

The right candidate will have a good working knowledge of the management and maintenance of theatre productions and tours on the small and mid-scale and a good working knowledge of the technical demands of delivering sound engineering for small scale live music events. They’ll be great at finding creative solutions to problems, will be a collaborative team player and will have a positive, can-do attitude. They’ll have a deep love of arts and culture, will be confident helping artists and participants to make the best work possible and genuinely excited to be part of the island community on Mull.

Purpose of the role

The Technical Manager will head up the Production and Technical department in-house for An Tobar and Mull Theatre. They will be responsible for scheduling and strategic planning within the production department, as well as managing and developing a team of freelance staff. Health and Safety is a key part of this role, and the post holder will be expected to lead on all health and safety aspects relating to productions as well as having significant input on building-wide health and safety management. They will work closely with the creative and production teams on both in-house and received shows and gigs, ensuring the highest artistic standards as a result of their knowledge of our building and its capabilities. Where necessary, they will production manage shows and events taking place in An Tobar and Mull Theatre’s buildings and on tour.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Planning and Oversight

To plan the deployment of resources across the season, ensuring that resource issues are identified and addressed in good time.
To work closely with the leaders of AT&MT’s artistic programmes to ensure that future seasons are scheduled within agreed parameters and make best use of department resources.
To agree, manage and strictly control the annual production department budget, abiding by the company’s financial systems.
Manage the recruitment and rota for freelance technical staff, managing their workloads, ensuring protocols are complied with and relevant forms are completed.
To create and implement policies and plans for the department and to ensure they are regularly updated, compliant, clearly communicated and fit for purpose.
To work with the Producer to appoint freelance technicians and production managers to deliver in-house shows where necessary.

Production and event specific

To act as the first point of contact for freelance Production Managers and event managers on all visiting productions, in-house productions and commercial hires, advising on and supporting their engagement.
To develop a comprehensive understanding of our flexible seating systems, working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that designs meet the needs of the production as well as agreed capacity and design parameters.
To collect all PPL PRS information, completing returns and making interpolated music applications as required.
To support freelance technicians on all in-house productions.
To facilitate captioned or audio-described performances.
To act as production manager on specific projects as agreed with the Producer and Artistic Director.
If appropriate, to provide lighting/sound design on in-house projects and events.
To assist with the fit-up and get-out of productions as required.

Health and Safety

To ensure all production related work is safe and complies with current entertainment licensing, fire, building and Health and Safety legislation and take overall responsibility for risk assessments within the department.
To work closely with the Front of House manager to ensure that Risk Assessments and Fire Risk Assessment for the building are carried out and reviewed at regular intervals.
To support the development of the theatre’s Health and Safety Policy and ensure that all members of the company are trained in and comply with emergency and safety procedures.
To work with Production Managers to ensure that all shows are designed in accordance with the ABTT Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment

Building and Equipment Maintenance

To develop the organisation’s equipment and electrical installation maintenance processes; ensuring that all equipment is well maintained and PAT Tested at appropriate intervals.
To suggest upgrades and new equipment with costings where appropriate and to ensure service records and manuals are retained and updated.
To manage maintenance issues, ensuring the good repair of the theatre, performance space, music studio and backstage spaces and contribute to any upgrade works, as required.
To keep abreast of changing technology and to advise the company on future developments.
To ensure that all storage spaces are kept tidy and in good condition.
To oversee the inspection of rigging and lifting equipment in accordance with LOLER regulations.
To maintain and develop good relations with local and national suppliers, seeking out competitive deals for hires and equipment.

General

To establish and maintain useful and appropriate communication protocols.
Actively develop and implement green policies and practices for the department and wider organisation.
Adhere to, and actively contribute to all An Tobar and Mull Theatre policies, including Equalities (diversity, access and equal opportunities), Environmental and Health & Safety, Data Protection, Financial.
To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible, without jeopardising the quality of the work or the reputation of An Tobar and Mull Theatre.
To act always in the best interest of An Tobar and Mull Theatre.
Any other duties as reasonably required.

Person Specification

Essential:

Significant recent Technical and/ or Production management experience across a range of different theatre and live music environments.
A good all-round knowledge of technical theatre and stagecraft with a specialism in either Lighting, Sound or Stage and Scenery.
Proven leadership ability with excellent people management skills, ability to build and lead a team of freelance and staff technicians.
Experience of managing the professional development of a team.
Experience of managing touring and/or rural touring.
Collaborative skills with proven ability and experience of working with creative teams.
Ability to read lighting plans and ground plans.
Knowledge of appropriate Health & Safety rules, regulations and guidelines.
Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills with people at all levels.
Experience of setting and adhering to deadlines and production timelines.
Excellent attention to detail, planning and organisational skills.
Excellent numerical and budget management skills.
Self-starting, motivated, enthusiastic and calm under pressure.
Collegiate and collaborative working style.
Driving license.

Desirable:

First Aid qualification.
IOSH qualification.
Experience of managing broadcast quality sound and music recording.
Experience of operating ETC Ion lighting desks.
Experience of working with a range of Digital sound desks, Qlab and control networks.
Experience of using CAD Software (Autocad or Vectorworks).
Experience of workshop tools and machinery.
An understanding of equal opportunity and cultural diversity issues in the delivery of our services.

Terms & Conditions

Hours: 40 Hours per week, including some evenings, weekends and public holidays. You will be expected to work flexibly to fulfil the demands of the role.

Salary: £30,000 pa - £35,000 pa, commensurate with experience

Holidays: 30 days per year

Probation: Six months

Contract type: Permanent

Because accommodation on Mull can be difficult to find, we offer a tied accommodation scheme for new employees offering living accommodation in our company house subject to availability. Please contact us if you require further details.

To apply:

Please send a CV including details of two references, a completed EO monitoring form and a covering letter telling us why you think you’d be great at this job and what you’d want to get out of it in terms of your own career development.

Please also tell us if you would plan to move to Mull and, if not, outline a working structure that you feel would allow you to be a meaningful contributor to our organisation and community.

Email your application to Karen Ray at karen@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk

Closing date: 14 June 2022 at 5pm

First Round Interviews: w/c 20th June

You can download the job description here and the Equality and Diversity Monitoring form here