Post Title:
Technical Director
Responsible to:
Director, Cast
Responsible for:
Technical Managers
Contract Type:
Permanent
Hours:
37 hours per week, majority based at Cast
Salary:
£38k - £42k
Place of work:
Cast
Application Deadline:
10am Monday 27 October
Interviews:
Tuesday 04 November
Company Description
Cast is a premier performance venue in Doncaster, fostering diverse and creative experiences for audiences and participants of all ages. Committed to inclusivity, Cast ensures accessibility for people with additional needs through adapted performances and barrier removal. The organization offers life-changing prospects for children and young people, aiming to provide every young person with the opportunity to experience the arts. Now in its seventh year of successful operation, Cast continues to grow as a vibrant arts destination and a significant asset in the community and local economy.
Role Description
The Technical Director is a key leadership role and member of the Senior Management Team at Cast, responsible for the effective delivery of a busy programme of performance and events. The role is strategic and will lead on planning and resource management, ensuring that we are equipped to meet the technical needs of a diverse visiting programme, as well as occasional produced work and creative learning projects.
The Technical Director manages the Technical department and sets a positive, collaborative working culture across in-house and freelance teams, identifying and developing talent, and assessing staff training needs. The Technical Director is also responsible for ensuring all of Cast's performance and event spaces are appropriately equipped and maintained to realise the highest possible standards of delivery.
As a senior leader, the role will work closely with the Director, Deputy Director and Senior Management colleagues to set strategic direction ensuring that our planning and programme scheduling are deliverable, efficient and mission led
Key Responsibilities:
On our stages
* To ensure all technical aspects of the theatre's programme (including Participation events) are staffed and resourced to the highest possible standards and delivered on time and within budget.
* To build strong relationships and networks with production casuals, freelance technical specialists, visiting companies and other production staff. To appoint and induct freelance production managers, taking into consideration the needs of each project.
* Oversee the scheduling and recruitment of casual, contract and freelance staff for productions, including wardrobe, stage management, stage, sound and lighting crew.
* Ensure there is appropriate technical support for ad hoc events such as fundraising events and community projects.
* Ensure the technical department's activities have a low impact on the environment and implement improvements to reduce environmental impacts.
People
* Lead the Technical Department, setting clear objectives for performance and development, and assess training needs.
* Ensure that the team is able to plan and deliver productions across the two theatres, and within our Participation and Talent Development departments.
* To ensure all projects are staffed to ensure delivery within agreed parameters, in a timely, safe, and collaborative way.
* To identify leadership potential, skills development opportunities and actively build a professional, motivating and collaborative culture across the department.
* To recruit new members of the Technical Department permanent, freelance or causal.
* To be an advocate for careers in technical theatre, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for sectoral growth and development.
* To be responsible for all staff welfare (including access requirements, mental and physical health needs) within the department.
Buildings & Facilities
* Working closely with the Deputy Director and Facility Manager to develop a Strategic Future-Proof Plan for our buildings and assets, with a particular focus on technical facilities and resources.
* Work collaboratively with the Facility Manager to maintain, protect and develop our buildings and facilities. Ensuring efficiency through planned preventive maintenance (PPM) and progressive decision making around our carbon reduction goals.
* Ensure that statutory compliance is understood, adhered to and documented.
Health and Safety
* Work closely and collaboratively with our parent company DCLT to ensure all working practices comply with Health and Safety (H&S) legislation including policies and procedures specific to Cast and DCLT.
* Act as the Competent Person for Cast in respect of H&S.
* Arrange and chair quarterly H&S committee meetings.
* Implement and oversee H&S in all backstage and onstage areas.
* Lead a culture of proactivity around identifying hazards, risk assessment and safe working practices.
* Work with freelance Production Managers and visiting company representatives to ensure that risk assessments are completed for all productions.
* Ensure that all H&S maintenance and training records relevant to the technical department, building and facilities are being completed, appropriately recorded and communicated to staff.
Planning
* To lead the resource management of the Technical Department and building, adapting and adjusting to organisational planning needs - sometimes at short notice.
* To contribute to the overall planning process of the theatre, forecasting additional technical or capital resource in advance.
* To work collaboratively and proactively with the Director, Head of Creative Programme and Head of Participation in the technical planning and resourcing of their work and productions.
* To ensure the theatre's technical equipment, resources and facilities are properly managed, maintained and evolve to fit future needs.
* To attend planning and scheduling meetings providing technical advice and information on all programming and producing activity.
Finance
* To forecast, manage and reconcile the annual core costs of the Technical, Building and Facilities Management, reporting to the Director monthly.
* Oversee annual and strategic replacement and capital expenditure (capex). Working with the Technical Managers and Facility Manager to set and monitor all budgets for the associated departments ensuring organisational controls are adhered to and accurate financial information is delivered to the finance team in a timely manner.
* To support the planning and forecasting of production budgets and control financial risk.
* Work with the Deputy Director to oversee and approve the annual maintenance programme (all theatre spaces and equipment).
Person Specification - Skills, Knowledge & Experience
* Experience of working at a senior level in the technical department of a performing arts venue.
* Confident and effective leadership skills, including staff management and development, ability to work with a wide range of partners at various levels of seniority.
* Demonstrable ability to think strategically and creatively, contributing to Cast's vision and mission.
* Experience of leading and managing technical teams including freelance technical and production staff.
* A good understanding of the UK theatre sector, and working knowledge of industry standard agreements.
* A thorough knowledge of staging/rigging/scenery, lighting, sound and flying.
* Up to date, in-depth working knowledge of health and safety legislation and its practical application.
* Strong budget management skills and experience.
* Excellent and effective communication skills.
* Ability to work under pressure.
* Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritise.
* Excellent IT skills, including computer-aided design (CAD).
* Experience of managing general maintenance issues within a performance space or venue.
* First Aid qualification – or prepared to undertake.
* IOSH trained – or prepared to undertake.
Personal Attributes
* A team player, able to collaborate with colleagues at all levels.
* Willingness to pitch in to get the job done.
* Able to work under pressure and respond decisively.
* Understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity.
* A commitment to achieving high standards of delivery.