Head of Production Information Pack August 2021 - New Vic Theatre
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Head of Production
Information Pack
August 2021
Welcome We are looking for an experienced Head of Production to support the creation and delivery of great theatre and be responsible for overseeing the successful staging of New Vic and visiting company productions in our building and on tour, including the management and development of the production teams. Our Production departments are at the heart of the theatre and are involved with every aspect of putting work on our stage and beyond, alongside being an integral part of our extensive community and education work. The post holder will have professional experience in theatre production, including experience of production management or equivalent in a producing house. Working collaboratively with directors, designers, other creatives and other theatre departments, they will have the ability to manage several projects simultaneously. Our ideal candidate will have experience of touring out and/or show transfers and experience of theatre building maintenance with a knowledge of environmentally sustainable working practices. The deadline for applications is Thursday 23 September 2021 at 12 noon. Interviews will be held w/c 4 October. We hope that this pack will answer all your questions, but if there is anything else you would like to know about the role or working at the New Vic, please do get in touch on 01782 381371 or by email at recruitment@newvictheatre.org.uk
Department Information As an organisation we're brimming with creativity. But we know
that, however dynamic our ideas, they can only be realised if we
The New Vic makes around eight in-house and co-produced support our craft and production departments, led by a dynamic
shows each year (pre and post COVID), with three or four Head of Production, to deliver the highest quality productions
being delivered by in house Creatives and others working for our audiences.
with freelance Creatives. We also collaborate with partners to
make shows jointly across venues. We usually have one show
on stage, one in rehearsal, and two or three in pre-production
and another two or three in planning. So this is a busy, highly-
productive theatre.
We make ambitious shows and realise that ambition thanks to a
committed in-house team including resident creatives and well-
staffed craft and production departments including:
• Company Stage Manager plus two DSMs and two ASMs
• Head of Workshop, and team including Scenic Constructor,
Prop Maker and Scenic Artist, Construction Assistant and
other internal and external freelance support at busy times
• Head of Costume, with a team including a Deputy, Cutters,
Costume Technicians and Wardrobe Technician
• Head of Technical plus Chief LX, Deputy Chief LX, Sound
& Lighting Technician, Assistant Stage Technician/Operator
and Technical Apprentice
• The Production team is also supported by the maintenance
team of two at busy times.
Over the past decade we have developed work that includes
circus, flying, musical theatre, touring, transferring, and even
staging work outdoors. We plan to continue this development.
Head of Production Primary Responsibilities
Responsible to: Managing Director and Artistic Director • Plan and supervise all aspects of production activity.
Reports to: Managing Director • Collaborate with directors, creative artists and colleagues
Responsible for: Head of Technical Department, across the creative process to deliver our increasingly
Company Stage Manager, Head of Workshops, Head ambitious artistic vision, and ensure this positive
of Costume and Maintenance Technician, and through collaborative culture is embedded across all production
this the Production and Maintenance teams. departments
• Lead the New Vic’s production teams to deliver high quality
Purpose of Position production values across the range of the theatre’s work.
Our Head of Production will support the creation and • Be first and major point of contact with designers, directors
delivery of great theatre and be responsible for overseeing the and other relevant freelance creatives and production staff
successful staging of New Vic and visiting company productions once contracted.
in our building and on tour; including the management and • Work closely with creative teams to realise their vision and
development of the production teams. designs, maximising the use of the theatres resources to
ensure high production standards are always upheld.
Overall production management responsibility for all projects • Ensure designers are briefed on in-house creative options,
produced in house; including working alongside the creative budgets, staffing, licensing, health and safety requirements
team, scheduling and managing the production process, leading and the unique nature of the New Vic Auditorium.
production meetings, allocating and managing budgets, schedules • Schedule and chair all relevant production and design
and show staff. meetings.
Overall responsibility for New Vic Buildings and Vehicles; • Oversee an accurate costings process to ensure all shows
including routine and ad-hoc maintenance, environmental can be delivered on budget using the time and personnel
performance and reporting, capital projects and budgets. available.
• Produce production schedules and manage the production
The Head of Production is the Health and Safety Officer. period from fit up to press night.
The Head of Production is a member of the Senior • Be in attendance at fit up, technical rehearsals, dress
Management Team. rehearsals, previews and press night, run production notes
sessions and ensure all notes are actioned in a timely
fashion.
• Maintain and improve the environmental performance of
• Control, manage and reconcile agreed production and the New Vic buildings and activities including monitoring
departmental budgets. and Arts Council environmental reporting.
• Plan staffing requirements and recruit to meet the needs of • Manage the safe and effective operation of production
the theatre programme and production schedule. equipment and spaces including the global implementation
• Ensure all production departments operate in line with of policies, procedures and training.
current Health and Safety legislation. • Manage contracts with suppliers and contractors that relate
• Produce risk assessments for all relevant production activity. to the maintenance of buildings, plant and equipment
• Liaise with incoming tours and events to ensure technical (excluding catering equipment) so as to ensure safe and
and show staff support is provided. cost effective operation within agreed budgets.
• Work with producing and programming colleagues to Health and Safety
schedule activities in the building and for any outside tours,
transfers or site specific work – this includes chairing the • Lead on the continued development and delivery of a safe
weekly Operations Meeting. and healthy workplace including the development of safe
• Consult with Managing Director on any additional items and efficient systems of working and fire safety procedures
of expenditure and on day to day matters, budget • Ensure departments are producing appropriate risk
reconciliation and analysis. assessments and method statements which are reviewed at
appropriate intervals.
Management • Lead on CDM compliance and implementation.
• Line manage Technical, Costume, Stage Management, • Keep abreast of current developments in health and safety
Maintenance and Workshop Teams. and ensure compliance with the requirements of Health
• Motivate and support professional development for and Safety legislation and the theatre’s policies.
production and maintenance staff. • Ensure maintenance and safety of all working areas and
• Contribute to the day to day running of the organisation implement best practice across the organisation.
and support the New Vic’s business plan objective. • Work with the Theatre Administration Manager to ensure
all staff complete appropriate Health and Safety training.
Building and Maintenance
• Ensure effective and timely routine preventative and
planned maintenance of building, plant, machinery,
installations and the external grounds of the New Vic.
Strategic General Office
• Be a member of the Senior Management team and • Ensure the smooth and efficient running of the company
take part in formulating, planning and implementing office and its systems, including photocopiers, franking
the New Vic Theatre’s strategies, policy and business equipment, telephones etc
plan. • Arrange meetings as required
• Attend Board, Management Team and other meetings • Control the general stationery, training and casting budgets
as appropriate and required. • Manage ordering and negotiating of the purchase of office
• Work within the Company’s established policies and equipment
practices including: equal opportunity, artistic and
General & Line Management
social policies.
• Be the point of contact for general, senior management
• Carry out any other specific tasks as maybe
enquiries internally and externally – supporting staff with
reasonably required by the Managing Director or
problem solving
Artistic Director.
• Manage and supervise the work of the Administrative
Department and cover these posts in their absence.
Undertake all management responsibilities relating to
department.
• Attend Health and Safety Meetings
• Take responsibility as required in relation to the New Vic
Fire Safety policy and procedures
• Any other duties as may reasonably be required by the
Managing Director or Artistic Director
Person specification • Ability to learn, interpret, understand and explain technical
plans and diagrams
These are the qualities we are looking for in our Head of • Ability to manage several projects simultaneously, meeting
Production. artistic and financial targets and deadlines
• Excellent numerical skills and proven skills of managing
Essential Criteria budgets
• Professional experience in theatre production, electrics, • Ability to prioritise and adapt to new situations
technical or stage management including experience of • Ability and willingness to work unsocial hours including
production management or equivalent in a producing house evenings, weekends and public holidays if required
• Experience of working with and managing freelance creative
staff, production staff and stage managers Preferred
• Proven ability to plan, schedule and manage the output of
craft and production teams, including tech schedules Experience & Qualifications
• Proven experience of managing resources in a busy • Experience of touring out and/or show transfers
organisation and/or venue including experience of planning, • Experience of theatre building maintenance
managing and monitoring budgets • Knowledge of environmentally sustainable working
• Experience of receiving in-coming touring theatre practices
• Demonstrable experience of the implementation of current • Relevant qualification in Health & Safety (NEBOSH or
health and safety legislation and good practice within a equivalent)
theatre environment • First Aid qualification
• Current full valid driving licence
Skills and Knowledge
Skills and Knowledge • Proficiency in CAD, preferably generation of production,
• Demonstrable interest in theatre construction and working drawings with 3D visualisations
• Knowledge of a full range of the key elements of • An affinity for the mission, vision and work of the New Vic
technical theatre & stage management (eg lighting, sound, Theatre and a passion to help achieve the theatre’s success
video, construction, set construction, wardrobe etc) or
demonstrably transferable knowledge from equivalent fields
• Proven ability to manage and motivate staffHead of Production to Saturday
• Any hours worked on a Sunday
Contract
The post of Head of Production is offered on a full time, TOIL at Double time
permanent basis. • Any hours worked on a Public Holiday
Salary Holiday Entitlement
The salary for the post is £34,788 per annum. The holiday entitlement for this post is 25 days per annum plus
The salary is paid monthly in arrears. bank holidays. The holiday year runs from 1 April to 31 March.
Hours of Work Entitlement for any incomplete year will be calculated pro rata.
The normal hours are 40 per week, usually to be worked Probationary & Notice Period
flexibly across Monday to Friday. This role does involve The probationary period for this post is 6 months. The notice
working evenings and some Saturdays, as production period during the probationary period is 4 weeks. Following
schedules dictate, and occasional Sundays and public holidays. successful completion of the probationary period the notice
All employees are expected to work some evenings and period is 12 weeks.
Saturdays.
General
Any hours in addition to your normal hours are to be agreed All eligible staff are automatically opted in for the New Vic’s
in advance with your manager. In weeks where less than the basic pension scheme under auto enrolment legislation.
contacted hours are worked, owed TOIL must be reduced by
the number of hours not worked. TOIL may not be carried All offers of employment are subject to the candidate being able
forward from one year to the next. Overtime is not applicable to provide suitable proof of their eligibility to work in the UK,
to this post. references and medical declaration.
Any hours in addition to your normal hours are to be agreed
in advance with your manager and will be remunerated as
follows:
Time off in Lieu (TOIL) at Single Time
• Any hours in excess of 40 in one week.
• Any hours worked between 11.00pm and 9.00am Monday“A superbly staged production, alive with music, wit and spectacle”
The Guardian 2019 The Prince and The Pauper
The New Vic is unique. The first purpose-built theatre-in-the-round in
Europe and a ground-breaker in the integration of professional theatre-
work with an extensive community and education programme, we make
theatre that is valued by local audiences and recognised nationally. In the
last few years we have toured shows ‘made at the New Vic’ nationally
and transferred our first show to Broadway in New York with Around the
World in 80 Days achieving the accolade of being the New York Times
Critic’s Pick of the Week.
We believe in the power of theatre to change lives. We also believe that
everyone should have access to great theatre and on average 180,000
people visit the New Vic each year.
The New Vic has forged a national reputation for producing first class
theatre – usually 8 or 9 in-house productions annually. We have a full in-
house creative team, including costume, scenic workshops, lighting, sound
and design. Our theatre-making is nationally recognised, particularly our
work for young people and their families.
Our extensive community and education programmes reach over 25,000
annually, with award-winning New Vic Borderlines, and New Vic Education
departments ensuring we are key to the cultural life of the region.
Alongside this the theatre leads Appetite, an Arts Council England Creative
People & Places programme, to engage more people in North Staffordshire
in the arts.
The New Vic is a registered charity with a turnover of £3.5 million and
operates thanks to a unique partnership between Arts Council England,
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council and
Stoke-on-Trent City Council.“Standing ovation for this beautifully-executed magnificently preposterous romp”
The Independent for Around the World in 80 Days
“A joyous family show...
Stupidly ambitious and gorgeously inventive …”
The Guardian for Astley’s Astounding Adventures
“One of the most impressive hours
I’ve spent in the theatre”
The Observer for DraculaApplying The New Vic aims to attract, develop and retain the best talent In your application, please tell us about your relevant skills and for all roles and will always appoint based on merit. We consider experience and how you meet the person specification. that diversity is good for the art we make, good for artists, good So you are aware, we separate Section 1 of the application form for audiences, and good for the cultural sector. and the equal opportunities monitoring form before shortlisting. The New Vic is an equal opportunities employer. We value The shortlisting panel will make their decisions based solely on diversity in our workforce and positively encourage applicants Section 2, without access to any of your personal information. from all sections of the community, particularly applicants Further information on how we use and store the data provided under-represented across the arts workforce, especially in your application form is available on our website. applicants with a disability, applicants who are LGBTQIA+ or applicants of African or Caribbean heritage, South, East and South-East Asian heritage or anyone who experiences racism. How to apply: Complete our application form and equal opportunities form (this is one document). You must fill in this form as CVs and covering letters are not accepted. The deadline for applications is Thursday 23 September 2021 at 12 noon. Interviews will be held week commencing 4 October 2021. We want to make sure that our application process is accessible to everyone, so please do tell us if you need any of this information in another format (e.g. large print, audio). Email your application form to recruitment@newvictheatre.org. uk using the subject line Head of Production or post the form to Administration, New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle- under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 0JG.
New Vic , Etruria Road, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 0JG Stoke-on-Trent & North
Staffordshire Theatre Trust Ltd. Company registration number: 911924. Charity registration number: 253242.
The New Vic operates thanks to partnership between the Arts Council England, Newcastle-Under-Lyme Borough
Council, Staffordshire County Council, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.You can also read
