Technical Manager

The Technical Manager line-manages the Technical Department, overseeing the day-to-day duties of the team, ensuring their Health and Safety and welfare, and assessing any training and development needs.

The Technical Manager is primary contact for all incoming productions and hires, working with them in advance to ensure that all technical and staffing needs are met, and that work is made to the highest standards possible within the time and financial resources agreed and available. At the end of the engagement you will be responsible for recharge and payroll, allocating charges to their relevant budget centres. During periods of Produced shows you will work with the Head of Production to ensure the same quality and results throughout. The job is predominantly office-based with office hours, but some hands-on and evenings/weekends will be expected.

Responsibilities

1. Work with creative and production teams to facilitate their requirements to the highest possible artistic standards, within the time and financial resources available.
2. Support the delivery of all produced work, including on and off site.
3. Manage the Heads of Department to ensure all budgets and deadlines are met.
4. Ensure that safe systems of work are in place and followed for the construction, maintenance and dismantling of scenery and equipment relating to all activities and events held at Derby Theatre.
5. Plan and programme adequate staffing to safely and efficiently support all received and in-house productions are adequately staffed from fit-up through to get-out, adhering to the UK Theatre/BECTU and In House Agreements.
6. Work alongside the Senior Producer to ensure proposed touring work is suitable for Derby Theatre from a technical standpoint.
7. Manage the technical requirements of visiting companies and hirers, acting as the main technical point of contact. Disseminate any relevant information from technical riders to colleagues across the theatre, ensuring understanding and ability to deliver.
8. Manage the technical department recharges, ensuring applicable costs are charged to visiting companies.
9. Contribute to the objective and budget setting for the technical department and the wider production department.
10. Manage the allocated budget to ensure efficient financial planning objectives.
11. Line manage all technical team members working at Derby Theatre and oversee their day-to-day duties, lead the recruitment and selection of new employees in the department and carry out annual appraisals; assess training and development needs.
12. Manage and complete the payroll process for substantive and atypical technicians, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
13. Forward plan project works, making recommendations to the Senior Leadership Team for the best development and management of technical resources for the medium to long term.
14. Manage and monitor the technical equipment and to ensure it is maintained in a safe condition.
15. Actively understand and promote the values and mission of the Learning Theatre.
16. Actively support Derby Theatre’s Learning Theatre model, including engaging with the University of Derby’s Theatre-related higher education provision.
17. Lead and facilitate learning opportunities and support the theatre’s wider role as a learning environment.
18. Provide technical support to assigned learning productions and projects.
19. As the Health & Safety lead for the technical department, implement and oversee the management of health and safety in all backstage and onstage areas.
20. Ensure compliance with Health & Safety regulations and keep updated about changes and forthcoming changes to such regulations.
21. Plan all statutory inspections and ensure accurate records and inventory are kept; ensure compliance with inspection results and any other health and safety monitoring results in the technical department.
22. Identify hazards and complete suitable risk assessments for all departmental related activities.
23. Produce and maintain any other health and safety records relevant to the department as required.
24. Ensure that all training records for the department are completed and communicated to staff.
25. As a member of the Health & Safety committee, contribute to the safety culture of the wider organization.
26. Liaise with and provide advice to colleagues and staff within the department and across the building on health and safety matters.
27. Keep up to date with developments in the industry as they relate to your role, and contribute to the overall development of the department and organisation.
28. Take an active role in the team and staff as a whole, and attend team, departmental or cross-organisation meetings as required
29. Ensure that Derby Theatre’s policies, procedures and values are observed in every area of the department’s work
30. Act always in the best interests of Derby Theatre, protecting intellectual property and confidential information at all times
31. Carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required from time to time, commensurate with the level of the post.
32. We expect all Derby Theatre staff to work in a flexible manner to effectively deliver their role and in line with the objectives of the company, including the Learning Theatre model, Equality and Diversity, and Sustainability
33. This job description is intended as a guide to the nature of the work required of this position, it is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and is subject to review.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Experience

• Significant experience of a senior technical role working within a theatre or entertainment venue
• Experience managing budgets
• Experience of conducting, monitoring and reviewing risk assessments
• Experience of supporting learners of different ages, including students and young people

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Expertise and thorough practical knowledge of technical theatre, including in-house productions
• Proven leadership skills
• Ability to work with and support a wide range of people across departments.
• Accuracy and excellent attention to detail
• Excellent IT and computer skills
• Ability to interpret and work from technical drawings
• Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation, procedures and policies
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work comfortable at height

Business requirements

• Completed DBS check
• Work evening, weekends and public holidays, as required.

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in Health and Safety
• First Aid training
• Working at Height and /or IPAF qualification
• Full UK driving license

Experience

• Experience in the use of AutoCAD
• Experience of programming and operating theatre lighting and sound desks

08/02/2026

Permanent, Full Time