Summary
More Details
The Apprentice Production Manager post suits a post grad or current theatre professional seeking a change of direction into Production Management. The successful apprentices will be given mentoring and assessment to help them grow professionally in a supportive environment.
Technical Apprenticeships at CFT are hands-on paid working roles, learning all the skills required of an Assistant Production Manager equipping you to enter the industry after the fixed 2 year term. You will receive a nationally recognised qualification in production management, whilst working with some of the most eminent industry professionals in the country.
All previous CFT apprentices have gone on to work professionally across the Performing Arts industry including on tours and in the West End in a variety of roles.
Join us for more information!
Have a read of the job description. If you want to find out more about apprenticeships and working at CFT, as well as getting some advice on how to apply and meet some of the team, we are running an event in the Festival Theatre Foyer on:
- Saturday 21st June 10.30 – 12.00
- Saturday 5th July 10.30 – 12.00
We recommend registering by emailing recruitment@cft.org.uk to let us know which session you’d like to attend, but if you haven’t then please don’t let that stop you attending. You’re welcome to bring your parents, carers or partner with you to these events
Production Manager Apprentice
Responsible to: Head of Stage and Technical
Contract: Full time, Fixed Term 24 Months
Salary: National Minimum Wage (not apprentice wage)
45 hours per week
Job Purpose
To assist the Technical Director and individual Production Managers in the technical delivery of shows and events, and to learn and apply the skills of a Production Manager, including technical realisation of creative concepts, management of onstage work, procurement, budget management and team collaboration, whilst studying a higher apprenticeship qualification with Chichester College
This is a CPD opportunity for an existing professional in technical production to move into a production Management role, or a recent graduate who has the required experience. The role is for a fixed term of 24 months.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the Technical Director with the production of drawings, paperwork and specifications and such other tasks as may be required
- Support visiting production managers with technical information, processing of orders and payments, collections and deliveries of materials and equipment and undertaking on stage fit up work as required
- Work collaboratively alongside the technical departments at CFT to assist in their work to develop and maintain production and technical skills required to work as a Production Manager
- Where opportunity arises take on the role of Assistant Production Manager to visiting production managers, managing tasks nominated by them and deputising for them when required
- Take on the role of Production Manager on a nominated project or production in order to complete the requirements of the apprenticeship program
- To undertake work experience and/or placements with other theatres and organisations across the country
- Produce and distribute technical design documentation and information to theatre departments, creative team members, external and specialist contractors
- Assist stage management teams on individual shows with preparation for rehearsals including plans, materials, mark outs, vehicle loading and transport requirements
- Prepare and maintain model boxes, and organise their delivery and collection to creative team members
- Undertake technical drawing tasks for various departments, including undertaking surveys and measurements, developing existing plans, creating plan, section and 3D views
- Assist in the safe and effective management of theatre stores, maintain storage systems and keep a tidy workspace
- When required work on live performances developing and undertaking site management, show operation roles, creating and working to a cue sheet and performing day-to-day pre-show maintenance and checks
- Collaborate on the ongoing development of Theatre Greenbook practices and advocate for sustainability in theatre productions
- Attend Chichester College seminar online regularly to complete a higher Apprenticeship
- To complete coursework as set out by the College and submit these in a timely manner as requested
- Collect evidence of your work in the form of photographs, videos, notes, paperwork and plans to form a professional portfolio for submission at the end point assessment
- Undertake an end point assessment at the end of the Apprenticeship.
- If required, undertake a re-sit exam for end point assessment if you are unsuccessful at first attempt
This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the employee will be required to perform duties outside of this as operationally required and at the discretion of the Technical Director.
This job will at times require unsociable working hours.
Key Apprenticeship Outcomes
- Learn theatre production processes including design and costing stages, model presentations, rehearsals, fit up, technical rehearsals, performance and get out
- Develop an understanding of construction methods and materials in scenic creation as well as learning about whole life cost, sustainability and carbon budgeting
- Learn to carry out technical surveys of buildings, read and develop plans and technical specifications
- Be able to draw technical drawings both by hand and using CAD
- Learn about tender processes both for construction as well as hires and procurement
- Learn how to manage delivery of all the physical aspects of a production or event from design through to press night and then maintaining a production through performance to get out and disposal
- Develop the necessary practical skills to be able to analyse and interpret a creative brief into a production schedule and budget
- Learn the organisational structure and hierarchies of a production and creative team and the reporting structures within them
- Gain an understanding of legal, ethical, environmental and financial policies relating to production management
- Learn to manage and lead a production team including developing and delegating tasks and responsibilities, setting goals and managing performance
- Develop the skills and knowledge to set budgets, develop financial controls, communicate financial changes including negotiating overspends with producers or financial controllers
- Be able to manage the day-to-day running of production schedules with all production and venue staff, ensuring deadlines are met whilst maintaining standards and ensuring adherence to health and safety protocols
- Apply HSAW and CDM legislation and regulations to events and live performance to meet the requirements of licencing and local authorities
- Be able to ensure Health and Safety legislation and organisational policies are adhered to, and help develop and manage the application of risk assessments, method statements, permit to work systems and security policies
- Learn to work in hazardous locations using appropriate PPE as required and instructed
- Develop and manage a program of personal CPD, including developing networks and relationship management
- Learn about the wider theatre and live events industry, including relevant
- Keep up to date with technical and production developments in the live arts through independent reading and research
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- At least three years’ experience of professional work, or Higher Education training, in theatre or live events in a technical or stage management role but not in Production Management
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- A positive and willing attitude to learning and to attending college to achieve an apprenticeship standard
- An enthusiastic, committed and flexible attitude to work, including the ability to work anti-social hours
- A positive, professional and presentable demeanor, and confidence communicating with people at all levels
- Have experience of working independently and carrying out independent research
- Excellent punctuality and good time management
- Computer literate with experience of using CAD packages for viewing of documentation, and use of Word and Excel or similar
- Demonstrable ability to read plans, understand scale and extract basic information contained within them
- Experience in the use of measuring equipment and basic hand tools
Qualifications Desirable
- GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), in English and Mathematics
- ICT qualification or experience is desirable
Desirable Criteria
- A university degree or formal training in Technical Theatre or Stage Management
- Ability to draft from scratch in CAD or Vectorworks
- Experience in using 3D modelling software such as Unreal Engine, 3DS, Fusion, Blender etc
- Lighting, Sound or scenic engineering skills
- A driving licence and car is very desirable
How to apply
When you’re ready to apply, please send your CV and a covering letter or a video to recruitment@cft.org.uk by 10am 11 July. Remember to say what role you are applying for as we have other recruitment happening alongside this post.
What we would like to see included in your CV is:
- Details of your educational qualifications
- Details of any work, work experience and any experience over the last five years – paid or voluntary
What we would like to see in your covering letter/video is:
- Why is this post of interest to you at this stage in your education / professional career?
- Why are you choosing an apprenticeship as a route into this area of the industry?
- What makes you the best candidate for this role?
In order to answer these questions you should read the Person Specification at the end of the Job Description and tell us how you meet each of the Essential Criteria, as well as sharing any of your experience or theatre or live events that you feel is relevant. (Maximum 600 words)
And
- Please tell us about your personal interests, hobbies and achievements that you are proud of so we can get a sense of who you are. (Maximum 250 words)
If you need a change to be made to help you with your application, please contact us at recruitment@cft.org.uk. Please tell us what changes or help you might need. We are here to support you.
A few more things…
We’re an Equal Opportunities employer. We embrace and celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skillsets. We passionately believe that the more diverse and inclusive we are, the better we’ll be as a company, an employer, a community hub and a theatre. We actively encourage applications from people that have been traditionally under-represented in the arts.
We really value people who will bring unique perspectives and will add new knowledge to our team. The Theatre has an equality of opportunity approach and aspires to give everyone the chance to achieve their potential.
This post is part of Chichester Festival Theatre’s Production department and is based at Chichester. Flexible working will be required according to workload and will include regular evening and weekend working. There will be some travel outside of Chichester, mainly to London.
You may already have seen that CFT are Disability Confident and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture.
CFT have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer practice across our organisation.
All appointments are made subject to satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
Organisation
