About the Role
Are you ready to take centre stage behind the scenes? As Head of Workshop, you’ll lead the way in transforming bold theatrical visions into breathtaking realities. From crafting stunning sets and problem-solving with designers, to steering budgets and inspiring a skilled team, this is your chance to make a real creative impact.
We’re looking for a dynamic maker and leader – someone who thrives on collaboration, loves a challenge, and has the technical expertise to deliver excellence every time. At Royal & Derngate, no two productions are the same, and your creativity, craftsmanship, and leadership will be at the heart of our storytelling magic.
If you’re passionate about theatre, thrive under pressure, and want to see your work light up the stage - this is the role for you.
Job Opportunity
Job Purpose:
* To be responsible for achieving and maintaining a high standard of operational efficiency in the Royal & Derngate’s Workshop Department
* To ensure that physical aspects of productions are constructed safely, on time and to the designer’s brief
* To ensure that the workshop area is in a safe and professional state.
* Cost-effective control of budgets
Key Task Areas:
* To manage the team and resources allocated to the workshop efficiently.
* To manage the construction of all scenery and related items to the satisfaction of the Production Manager and Designer for Royal & Derngate (R&D) productions and co-productions.
* To be the first point of contact for designers with regard to all aspects of scenery. Creating a positive and welcoming dialogue, providing creative solutions to design problems.
* To construct all wood-working and metal fabrication elements of a set, including some prop-making where necessary.
* To advise the Head of Production of estimated set material and build costs as required, and to ensure that the Workshop elements of production budgets are adhered to, and expenditure records are accurately maintained.
* In conjunction with the Head of Production, Production Manager and Stage Department, to play a leading role in fitting-up in-house productions.
* To attend Production meetings, and to consult with and advise the Head of Production, Production Manager and Designer on the best way to realise the design.
* To implement building schedules in order to meet identified deadlines.
* To advise the Head of Production or Production Manager of any developing cost, technical or timescale problems, in order that remedial action can be taken in good time.
For the full job description, please see our website.
Essential Skills
Essential Experience:
* Proven experience at Head of Department level in a producing theatre and/or in a Workshop
* Proven experience in a range of production styles and construction techniques
* Proven experience of controlling large budgets
Essential Knowledge/Qualifications:
* Design techniques
* Financial systems
* Theatre Green Book
* Health & Safety At Work Act 1974 and other legislative requirements
Essential Skills/Abilities:
* Able to plan work schedules effectively
* Able to work creatively
* Excellent interpersonal skills
* Good communication skills
* Staff deployment
* Numerate and IT literate
* Staff Training and Development skills
Desirable Experience:
* Working within a venue with large and active community engagement programme
* Producing theatre company, and/or Repertory theatre system
Desirable Knowledge/Qualifications:
* An understanding of subsidised /commercial theatre.
* First Aid at Work certificate
* IOSH Managing Safely • Driving Licence
How To Apply
Please submit a covering letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) stating your relevant experience, knowledge, and skills for this role along with your CV.
Closing Date: Wed 24 Sep
Interviews: WC-29 Sep
About Company
Royal & Derngate Northampton is the main venue for arts and entertainment in Northamptonshire and one of the major regional producing theatres in the country, with its acclaimed Made in Northampton work touring nationally and internationally.
The theatre was recently nominated for Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards 2022. Eight of its productions transferred to London and the West End in 2019, with The Worst Witch winning the 2020 Olivier Award for Best Family Show and Our Lady of Kibeho being nominated for the 2020 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre and named by The Guardian as one of the 20 Best Shows of the 21st Century. Meanwhile, recently artists have won The Stage Ensemble Award, The Stage Debut Award and the Ian Charleson Award for their work on Made in Northampton productions and the adapted screenplay from Royal & Derngate’s original play commission of The Pope was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards as Netflix’s The Two Popes.
The 2021/22 Made in Northampton season included Ralph Fiennes in the world premiere stage adaptation of T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets which transferred to the West End at the end of last year, a new version of Joe Penhall’s Blue/Orange, Improvised show An Improbable Musical, touring co-productions of Animal Farm and Othello with the National Youth Theatre, digital musical On Hostile Ground, and a brand new musical Gin Craze! by April de Angelis and Lucy Rivers.
The venue also presents a diverse range of visiting productions on both the Derngate and Royal stages, featuring musicals, dance, comedy and music, and its two-screen cinema presents the best in world, independent, British and mainstream film. Over recent years the theatre has hosted the UK Musical Theatre Conference, Devoted & Disgruntled 14 and the International Teach First conference.
Royal & Derngate’s nationally recognised Creative Learning programme engages with schools, families and communities in Northamptonshire and beyond, and its Generate artistic development programme regularly supports hundreds of local artists each year.
Benefits
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Bar & Shop Discount
* Complimentary tickets available on selected shows and films
* Family Friendly Policies