job pack - director technical and production final.pdf

7/27/2019 Job Pack - Director Technical and Production Final.pdf

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Thank you for your interest in the position of Director Technical and Production .

About Sydney Theatre Company

Founded in 1978, Sydney Theatre Company is one of Australias largest and busiest performing artsorganizations. It gave 958 performances in 2012 in metropolitan Sydney, on tour in Australia andinternationally. It has four home venues: Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay (880 seats), the Drama TheatreSydney Opera House (540 seats), and Wharf 1 (320 seats) and Wharf 2 (200 seats) at its home base atThe Wharf, Walsh Bay. The Wharf also contains the Companys administrative headquarters, rehearsalrooms and workshops.

The Company produces a broad range of work each year: Australian and international new works,revivals and classics. It also co-produces with Australian and international theatre organizations andpresents the work of other companies in Sydney. The Company has an international profile, in recentyears taking large scale work to destinations including The Barbican London, Theatre de la Ville Paris,BAM and Lincoln Center Festival New York, Kennedy Center Washington DC and the Vienna Festival.

Its mission statement includes four commitments:To produce distinctive theatre of vision and scaleTo ensure a healthy future for theatreTo help build creative capacity in the communityTo engage with the issues of the day

About this role

Aside from the information outlined in the job description other relevant details of the position are:

1. Hours of Work

This position is for an initial three year fixed term contract.

The usual hours of work are 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. However, the job requires a willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and these additional hours have been taken intoconsideration when setting remuneration and conditions.

The position is based at The Wharf, Sydney Theatre Company, Pier 4 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.

2. Salary and Entitlements

Salary is dependent on skills and experience4 weeks annual leaveComplimentary tickets to all STC productions


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Job Description

Position title: Director Technical and Production

Reports to : Executive Director

Direct report: Head of Production ManagementHead of Production WorkshopTechnical ManagerSenior Stage ManagerProduction Administrator

Job overview

The purpose of the role is to lead and develop the technical and production areas of Sydney TheatreCompany, ensuring effective operations, long range problem solving, skills development and training.

The Technical and Production departments are responsible for successful planning, budgeting, creativeliaison, rehearsal, building, operating and touring all Sydney Theatre Company productions.

Key Responsibilities:

The role is responsible for the above outcomes through activities which includes:

FinancialOverall accountability for technical and production budgetsDevelop and manage budgets with Head of Production and production heads of departmentDevelop long term, strategic capital expenditure investment plansEnsure that the highest standards of financial planning, budgeting and expenditure are keyconsiderations in all productionsEnsure budgetary control of materials and labour for all productions and assigned projectsMakes recommendations to the Executive Director on capital purchases of technical equipment

Advise production managers, lighting and sound designers, on the technical specifications, costsand usage of technical equipment required for the individual show, and supervises theimplementations of approved technical designs

OperationalEnsure coordination across technical and production departments, and with other areas of thebusiness

Work closely with the Director of Programming and Artistic Operations on programming, schedulingand production arrangementsLead continual improvement in practices and proceduresDevelop and implement new policies and procedures aimed at improving sustainability andperformanceMaintain and enhance STCs reputation for producing work of vision and scale Be present and actively engaged in opening nights, meet and greats, functions and social eventsEnsure that workplace incidents are mitigated by incorporating WH&S best practice in allproductions.Ensure all the key aspects of a successful production are managed effectively and collaboratively toresult in cohesive delivery from all departments including; stage management, lighting, props,wardrobe, sound, scenic art.

Risk Management plans and processes are completed for each productionRecommend design changes where appropriate to match the given staff recourses and financialresources available


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Strategic As a member of the senior management team, have input into the development of the Companysfive year strategic plan and annual operating plans

Advise management of best deployment of available resourcesRespond to skills gaps with staff, and to shortages of skills in the labour market, by developing andimplementing new partnerships and programsLiaise with external parties as required to position STC as a leader in the theatre space and to sharebest practice knowledge with like organisations

Collaborate with Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropic teams to leverage new resources for thetechnical and production areaCollaborate with others across the organisation to respond to new opportunities for the company,art form and arts sectorStrategise with the directors and stage managers to ensure actor safety and fulfillment of thedirector's visionUnderstand STCs union agreements, conditions and policies to make strategies to best manageproductions, mitigating the risk of Industrial complaints or issuesRecommend staff and organisational structural changes to best support the productions andthe business in a sustainable way

Leadership

Takes a leadership role to help create and support a working and producing environment that isartistically satisfying, professional, efficient and safeOverall accountability for the hiring, performance, well being, training and development of technicaland production staff

Advise management on optimum HR structures, policies and proceduresEnsure organisational HR policies are carried out effectively, including internal communicationspolicy and performance appraisalsTake a leading role in industrial relations in partnership with Executive Director and HR ManagerMaintain strong and broad industry networks in Australia and overseas

As a senior Leader ensure that information and guidance is disseminated in an appropriate andtimely way

Attends and lends perspective and expertise at appropriate staff and production meetings, includingtechnical and dress rehearsalsLead employees and teams in positive cultural changeLead and facilitate effective, co-operative relationships between department; seek and delivertimely, productive feedback at all timesWork with the Executive Director on planning, budgets and business strategy

Particular challengesThe successful applicant will be the first to hold this revised role, part of a new managementstructure for the technical and production area put in place following the departure of the formerHead of Production after ten years in the role.In 2014, STCs pro duction and theatre facilities at The Wharf reach their 30 th year of operation,triggering a comprehensive review and refurbishment process. The Director of Technical andProduction will have a leading role in this renewal project. In the same year, Sydney Theatre at

Walsh Bay turns ten.

Workplace Health & Safety

For the purposes of the Workplace Health and Safety Act and Regulations the Director Technical andProduction must ensure that she/he:

takes reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and others;works in a safe manner and follows procedures introduced for their protection;participates in any training or education necessary to enable him to work safely includingfamiliarisation with the STCs OH&S Policy;

reports any unsafe work practices or conditions to his supervisors;cooperates with Sydney Theatre Company in their efforts to comply with occupational health andsafety requirements.


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Environmental Sustainability

To support the Companys vision of becoming the worlds most sustainable theatre company, the DirectorTechnical and Production must ensure that she/he:

takes reasonable steps towards minimising the environmental impact of their role and that of theCompany;works in an environmentally responsible manner and follows procedures introduced to this end;

participates in any training or education necessary to enable them to work sustainably includingfamiliarisation with the Companys various green policies; brings to the attention of the internal Green Team any situations or practices that could beimproved in relation to environmental performance; andco-operates with Sydney Theatre Company in their efforts to lead in the area of environmentalsustainability.

Other information

Key relationships Capabilities and competencies

o Executive Directoro Artistic Directoro Heads of Departmento Production Managerso Dir of Programming and ArtisticOperationso HR Manager o Leaders and contractors from otherTheatre and Arts Companies

Extensive experience in a large performing artsorganisation leading a technical and production area,including planning, budgeting, strategic and peoplemanagement.Strong leadership skills including leading successfulproductions from end to endThorough understanding of all aspects involved intechnical theatre, including construction, lightingequipment, rigging and soundExemplary communication, people management anddevelopment skillsCreative insight and judgement

The ability to thrive in a high pressure environmentwith many competing prioritiesUnderstanding of new technologies and theirapplication in design and execution

A strong appreciation for the art form of theatreDemonstrated experience in managing productionschedules, negotiating with staff and unions, andmanaging multiple projects at onceUnderstanding and commitment to WH&S, communityobligations and sustainability practices

This job description describes the broad scope of the role and is not an exhaustive list. It may alsochange from time to time with due consultation to meet the changing needs of the business.

job pack - director technical and production final.pdf

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