JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title: TECHNICAL MANAGER (Theatre & Multimedia)
Responsible to: REDHOUSE Project Development Manager
Department: REDHOUSE Core Team
Theatre & Multimedia Manager/primary roles: This is a challenging post which combines responsibility for the performance, technical husbandry and delivery of two performing arts spaces: the Dowlais Theatre & Plymouth Courtyard in REDHOUSE. The Technical Manager will oversee the technical infrastructure, in-‐house & external production teams, work closely with our anchor tenant, the College Merthyr Tydfil (and the further education provider’s circa 200+ Media and Performing Arts staff and students), to deliver high quality production values and technical support for all REDHOUSE events. Responsible for technical infrastructure, multimedia equipment management & control, the post holder will liaise with creative business tenants and hirers of the building to ensure that REDHOUSE provides excellent and sustainable performing arts & multimedia experiences for a diverse range of audiences and amateur & professional arts communities.
REDHOUSE operates in close collaboration with nearby THEATR SOAR, a bilingual performing arts venue that forms a major cultural component of Canolfan Soar, the leading Welsh medium enterprise agency in the region, and a key strategic partner of REDHOUSE. It is anticipated that the Technical Manager will also take on technical responsibility for THEATR SOAR in the longer term, following development and implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding, and that there is capacity within the current post to facilitate this additional role. It is a condition of this post that the successful candidate agrees to embrace the technical provision of THEATR SOAR within his/her portfolio of responsibilities, should a formal collaborative framework be established with Canolfan Soar.
We are looking for an experienced Technical Manager with leadership qualities and exceptional planning skills; ideally with fluency in Welsh, and a venue-‐based professional background, the successful candidate will relish the opportunity to make a significant contribution in performance management to underpin the creative outputs of an ambitious and progressive arts organisation in the Valleys heartland of Wales. You will relish the fast pace of the working environment and the challenges
around operational delivery, relationship-‐building planning/facilitating a wide range of events across a
complimentary range of multimedia platforms. Commercially astute, you will be person-‐centred, have
high standards and expectations and a keen eye for detail and scrutiny. Reporting to the REDHOUSE
Project Development Manager and working closely with the REDHOUSE Operations Manager and the College Merthyr Tydfil Theatre Technician, this role will be a mixture of hands-‐on, day-‐to-‐day
management combined with involvement and contribution at a strategic creative level.
MAIN DUTIES
Technical & Production in REDHOUSE (& THEATR SOAR in the longer term)
1. To plan and execute all technical aspects of events and productions and ensure adequate scheduling and management across all theatre/performance & multimedia activity.
2. To be responsible for the successful delivery of all events within contract and agreed budgets, through effective planning and management of production and technical requirements.
3. To be the principal contact for representatives of incoming and in-‐house performances, multimedia programmes and other events.
4. To perform the role of Stage Manager, as required.
5. To organize and participate in “Get-‐ins” and “Get-‐outs”, as required.
6. To oversee and implement the operation of sound and lighting equipment and prepare lighting designs and sound designs as required.
7. To oversee and implement the operation of audio-‐visual equipment throughout the buildings.
8. To liaise with clients, including touring companies, and be responsible for rider advances in regard to costing and the booking of crew.
9. To act as Event Manager for key events, Duty Manager and as key holder for the building if required.
10. To work in conjunction with creative programmers to facilitate the highest standards of programme presentation, ensuring that each performance, screening or event
commences on time and is supported by appropriate levels of duty support.
11. Where appropriate, to lead on training and development within technical teams and including apprentices, other staff, volunteers and other participants.
Liaison with Anchor Tenant & Creative Community
12. To work closely with the College Merthyr Tydfil in REDHOUSE (and THEATR SOAR in the longer term), ensuring that all their reasonable requirements in relation to theatrical or multimedia provision are met, that shared services are fully operational at all times, and that robust mechanisms are in place to monitor the use of equipment by College staff and students.
13. To be vigilant and exercise strict control and security over the use of the REDHOUSE (and THEATR SOAR in the longer term) technical equipment and infrastructure to ensue that this equipment serves the needs of all of the constituent user groups and that no one group is unfairly prioritised in this process.
14. To liaise with Café/Bar management in relation to performance-‐based hospitality services.
the licensing laws.
16. To communicate with all customers, clients and external agencies in a professional, courteous and effective way.
Health & Safety
17. To ensure that appropriate records are kept with regard to theatre and multimedia equipment, and be responsible for the maintenance and PAT Testing of said equipment. 18. To ensure the REDHOUSE (and THEATR SOAR in the longer term) H&S policy statements
are clearly communicated, displayed and available for creative producers, in-‐house & external technical teams and public alike.
19. To prepare an annual H&S report in relation to theatre & multimedia equipment and infrastructure to the REDHOUSE (and THEATR SOAR in the longer term) Management Committee/s and prepare periodic reports as required.
20. To ensure systems are in place to enable the identification of hazards and risk assessments in relation to performances spaces in both venues.
General
21. To ensure the security and good housekeeping of all plant, technical and backstage areas of performance-‐related spaces.
22. To work within, and contribute to, REDHOUSE (and THEATR SOAR in the longer term) sustainability strategies, ensuring the efficient use of resources and energy, limiting wastage and monitoring and reducing consumption across all areas of
theatrical/performance management where possible.
23. Where appropriate, to convene weekly technical operations meetings with key
stakeholders and to attend/call production and other meetings and training sessions as required.
Equal Opportunities
24. To adhere to REDHOUSE (and THEATR SOAR in the longer term) equal opportunities and cultural diversity policies in the execution of the post’s responsibilities.
Special Duties
25. To respond appropriately and effectively to theatre, performance-‐related and technical emergencies or urgent issues as they arise.
26. To work the occasional weekend and/or bank holiday if required and be available for occasional evening work -‐ for which time in lieu is provided.
27. To attend REDHOUSE (and THEATR SOAR in the longer term) out of hours on occasion, in case of an emergency.
REDHOUSE
PERSON SPECIFICATION TECHNICAL MANAGER (Theatre & Multimedia)
Attributes Essential Desirable
Qualifications
A minimum of two years professional experience as a Technical, Stage or Production Manager in theatre or live arts
Degree or City & Guilds in electrical or electronic engineering
Health & Safety qualification
Knowledge Setting up use of Sound, Lighting and AV equipment
Knowledge of building H&S regulations, including fire safety and security
Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh, spoken and written
Use of ETC Lighting Equipment, JBL and Soundcraft
An understanding of the practical application of digital steaming and similar technologies Experience
Production Management experience and skilled in scheduling & event planning
Experience of working on festivals, aerial and/or outdoor events
Experience of establishing systems for monitoring and evaluation
Skills
A diplomatic and positive approach when dealing with complicated and challenging situations
Excellent oral communication and inter-‐personal skills
A desire and ability to be hands-‐on and an ability to stay calm under pressure
Effective decision making, negotiation and problem-‐solving skills
Computer literate with an extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office
Practical training in first aid and other health & safety matters
Circumstances
Prepared to work flexibility and a desire to work within a small team
Full driving licence
Living within easy commutable distance of Merthyr Tydfil
PROJECT CHAMPIONS & FUNDERS
The capital development and creative programme of REDHOUSE (Old Town Hall ·∙ Hen Neuadd y Dref) is generously supported by the Welsh Government, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council in association with Miller Argent, the European Regional Development Fund and CADW.
REDHOUSE (Old Town Hall ·∙ Hen Neuadd y Dref) is a Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association Community Regeneration Initiative.
THEATR SOAR is a bi-‐lingual community theatre that forms part of Canolfan Soar, a Welsh Language Centre that is run by Menter Iaith Merthyr Tudful.
