Overview
This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the technical function at Buxton Opera House, ensuring it delivers against our ambitious vision and strategic goals. Working closely with the CEO and a range of internal and external stakeholders, you will lead a skilled technical team, ensuring the department operates efficiently, maintains the highest presentation standards, and meets all current Health and Safety requirements. As Head of Production, you will oversee the technical delivery of all home-produced work, touring shows, events, and Learning and Engagement projects, ensuring every aspect is delivered to the highest possible standard. You will also set the direction for the technical department, ensuring its strategy is fully aligned with the wider organisational vision. You will play a key role in the development of capital projects, contributing technical and production expertise to wider organisational planning. Alongside this, you will take ownership of departmental and production budgets, supporting the successful delivery of a diverse and ambitious programme. We are looking for an experienced technical theatre professional, ideally from a producing theatre environment, with a strong track record in leading teams and delivering technical and production strategies within an arts organisation.
Technical Delivery:
- Ensure all technical and production elements across programmed work, productions, participation activity, and commercial events are delivered to the highest standards, on time and within budget
- Implement and oversee effective backstage systems, including get-ins/outs, set build/strike, rigging, lighting, sound, AV, staging, and flying across all spaces
- Work with the producers to plan and manage production schedules, ensuring efficient delivery of the programme
- Oversee the operation of the Pavilion Arts Centre as a multi-arts venue
- Lead on show advances and liaise with visiting companies, delegating effectively to Technical Managers and the Production Administrator
- Ensure safe and efficient stage operations during get-ins, get-outs, and performances
Health & Saftey
- Lead all technical Health and Safety compliance across Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, ensuring robust risk assessments, safe systems of work, and full adherence to legislation
- Ensure visiting companies and contractors are properly inducted, understand all venue procedures, and provide appropriate risk assessments and method statements, with hazards clearly communicated
- Establish and maintain effective systems for managing Health and Safety documentation and compliance (e.g. contractor forms and Blue Lemon records)
- Work closely with the Head of Operations, RB Solutions, High Peak Borough Council, and contractors to oversee safe delivery of all production activities, including permits to work
- In co-ordination with Head of Operations and Maintenance Manager, oversee planned and reactive maintenance, inspections, and statutory compliance for all technical equipment and systems, ensuring accurate record keeping
- Action and monitor all recommendations arising from internal and external Health and Safety inspections
- Ensure all technical equipment, facilities, and resources are properly maintained through an effective annual maintenance programme
- Contribute to fire safety management, including risk assessments, evacuation procedures, equipment maintenance, staff training, and compliance with Martyn’s Law
- Respond to emergency call-outs as required
Financial and Strategic Responsibility
- Play a key role in shaping capital projects, representing technical and production needs alongside the CEO
- Lead on environmental and sustainability initiatives, supporting Arts Council England National Portfolio requirements
- Oversee all production budgets in collaboration with the Head of Producing and Artistic Programming and line manage freelance Production Managers
- Set and manage departmental budgets, identifying efficiencies, recharges, and advising on capital investment
- Prepare financial forecasts, event budgets, and risk analysis, ensuring delivery within agreed targets
- Oversee staff rota planning with Technical Managers, ensuring efficient use of contracted, casual, and freelance resource within budget
- Maintain effective financial systems, including authorising and coordinating contras and recharges for visiting companies
Leadership and Management
- Provide strong leadership as part of the Senior Management Team, championing BOH values and delivering excellence
- Lead and manage the technical department, including recruitment, appraisals, training, and development of all staf
- Facilitate team meetings and support continuous professional development
- Represent BOH at production meetings, collaborating with partners to ensure high-quality delivery
General
- Contribute to organisational planning, governance, and board processes
- Support the CEO in delivering the organisation’s vision and strategic objectives
- Ensure compliance with GDPR, company policies, and all relevant legislation
- Act as an ambassador for Buxton Opera House, enhancing its profile and reputation
- Undertake additional duties as required
Essential:
Experience
- Proven experience developing and delivering technical and production strategies within an arts organisation
- Substantial experience in technical theatre, ideally within a producing theatre environment
- Demonstrable experience leading and managing high-performing teams
Skills and Knowledge
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex challenges
- Excellent project management, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Effective leadership and people management skills
- Strong financial management, including budgeting and cost control
- Sound working knowledge of Health & Safety legislation
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office and general IT systems
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to plan strategically across short, medium, and long-term priorities
- Resilient and able to work effectively under pressure
- Highly organised, with strong administrative capability and attention to detail
Education, Training and Qualifications
- Educated to A Level standard (or equivalent experience)
Personal Attributes
- A strong commitment to artistic excellence
- Strategic thinker with the ability to contribute at a senior organisational level and inspire others
- Collaborative and approachable, with the ability to build effective relationships across teams and stakeholders
- Confident managing a range of internal and external stakeholders
- Detail-oriented, with a focus on delivering high-quality outcomes
- Resourceful and committed to achieving high standards within available resources
- Committed to equality of opportunity and the development of others
- Flexible and responsive, with the ability to work unsocial hours as required
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment and is motivated by delivering to deadlines
Desirable:
Experience
- Project management experience
- Experience of capital asset management
Skills and Knowledge
- Up to date knowledge and interest in the theatre industry
The postholder will work across the organisation, including at Buxton Opera House, the Pavilion Arts Centre, the Trust’s offices at No. 5 The Square, and off site venues. All staff are expected to work flexibly in line with their role and the charity’s objectives. The Head of Production postholder will be required to work evenings and weekends for the proper performance of their duties. This job description may be updated to reflect future business needs.
Contract: Full time, permanent (40 hrs per week)
Salary: Circa £46,000 per annum
Probation period: 6 months
Pension: Auto enrolment
Holidays : 25 days plus 8 days bank holiday per annum
We’d love to hear from you! To apply, please send your CV, along with a covering letter detailing:
- Why you’re interested in this role
- The key skills and experience you would bring to the position
Email your application to [email protected]
Deadline for Applications: Monday 6 July, 5pm
If you would like to find out more about the role before applying, please contact Barry Hope, Head of Production, on [email protected] for an informal conversation.
We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. You may not meet every criterion listed, and that’s okay . If you have some relevant experience and a motivation to learn and grow, we encourage you to apply.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to receiving your application!
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From £46,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
