WORK WITH US

Vacancy - Technical Manager

 

Job title: Technical Manager

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Wage: £25,900

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Working Hours per week: 40 hours

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Working schedule: Varies from week to week but something along the approximate schedule:

Week 1: Monday – Friday – 10:00 – 18:00

Week 2: Monday – Wednesday - 10:30 – 20:30 & Sat - 12:00 – 22:00 

Week 3: Tuesday – Saturday 15:00 – 22:00

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Length of Contract: Initial 1 year contract (with intention to extend) subject to 3 month probationary period

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Line Manager: General Manager

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Benefits: 30% discount on drink in the Alphabetti Bar & complimentary tickets to events at the venue (subject to availability).

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Start date: As soon as possible, approx. Summer 2024.

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Holiday entitlement:

This role has an annual holiday allowance of 30 days per annum (including public holidays, this means that public holidays are included in this allowance, so they are not on top of said allowance). Annual leave must be requested by the Employee in writing to their line manager and one other member of senior management at least 4 weeks in advance of the requested date. Annual leave is not considered confirmed until all three parties are in agreement via writing and the Employee has subsequently entered the dates into the shared Employee calendar. The Employer will honour annual leave requests wherever possible, but reserve the right to refuse requests if they are made with insufficient notice or if other members of staff have previously confirmed leave on the same dates.

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The Role:

The Technical Manager at Alphabetti Theatre will be responsible for all elements of technical requirements in the venue, whilst supporting any of our productions outside of the venue, with your skills and expertise. You will need to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the shows, liaising with incoming companies and promoters to ensure that their technical requirements can be met. You will be an ambassador for the venue and responsible for the department, your team and any casuals that you employ. You will design and build lighting and sound files and will be credited accordingly for your work. We are a space to experiment, evolve, and discover excellence for both artists and audiences. All members of our staff must embrace this philosophy and understand that we are an organization dedicated to not just improving ourselves but the entire performing arts ecology. Any successful candidate will be passionate and supportive in encouraging individuals to explore, grow, and achieve brilliance.

 

Application process:

• Please complete this short form https://forms.gle/TpDjr3Eh9QZMciDV6  - by 11pm on Thursday 4th July 2024

• By 6pm on Saturday 6th July all applicants will be notified via email if we would like to invite them for an interview.

• The interview will be between 9th – 11th July and will consist of a conversation with the senior management team, lasting approximately 45 – 60 minutes followed by a 90 – 120 minute technical task to be able to showcase your skills. 

• All applicants notified via email on final decision by 17th July 2024

• Start As soon as possible approx. Summer 2024.

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Responsible For:

The smooth running of the technical department, including setting up lighting, sound, and AV for shows and operating shows. To be the first point of contact for all technical requirements, this will include overseeing the technical assistant, general assistants or casual technicians employed. Maintaining all the equipment to a high standard and making sure health and safety procedures are adhered to. In association with the General Manager and the Technical Assistant to oversee the general maintenance and coordinate contractors to ensure that the building is presented to the highest standard and is always safe for use by its staff and patrons. Additional responsibilities include being the main technical contact and technical designer for all in-house shows both in the venues and on tour.

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Duties & Responsibilities:

• To be responsible for the smooth running of the technical department.

• To lead, oversee and support the get in, set up and where appropriate operating of all live performances.

• To act as the primary contact point for visiting companies to ensure the technical/production requirements are met including hiring additional equipment and freelance technicians as required.

• To set up shows including lighting, sound, and AV.

• To maintain equipment including arranging inspections and dealing with service contracts to ensure that health and safety requirements are met.

• To keep an update to inventory of all working equipment that Alphabetti owns and what is needing maintenance (either in-house or from an outside contractor)

• To lead on all back of house building and technical in relation to Health and Safety & to work with the General Manager to ensure that all venue Health and Safety protocols meet legislation.

• Alongside the technical manager to maintain a record of inspections, documentation and maintenance records for all inhouse equipment and keep an up-to-date registers of company assets and equipment.

• Lighting & technical designer for all in-house productions and unfunded co-productions, you will be accredited accordingly.

• To improve and maintain the technical facilities at Alphabetti, abiding by of health and safety policies and industry best practice.

• Attend production and operation meetings, working in collaboration with the small team to ensure the smooth running of events and services.

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• Duties & Responsibilities (continued):

• To take lead and coordinate all accessible performance events including: the captioned performances, audio described performances and relaxed performances so that all staff and artists are aware and know what they need to.

• To operate lighting and/or sound for incoming shows or duty tech for those who have their own operators.

• To lead the technical team as well as manage them including arranging rotas, providing guidance and support, ensuring that your team are all trained and capable in their field.

• To manage the logistics and requirements of the variety of shows that come into the venue.

• Liaise with the senior management team to ensure smooth running of shows.

• To provide timely financial information to the senior management team including crew hours and contract charges for settlement purposes.

• Be responsible for the department's budget and time management in relation to work hours to ensure that the department is as cost effective as possible.

• To be an ambassador for the venue.

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This role outline is not exhaustive and other duties/responsibilities may be required/edited as appropriate. This is not a job for the faint-hearted, however it will be extremely rewarding. Alphabetti is about to go through another burst of growth; we want someone who has the capacity to hit the ground running and can grow with us through our next phase.

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Person Attributes required for the role:

 

Essential:

• Someone with a positive outlook, excellent time management and who is comfortable working in a small team.

• Someone who can multitask and works well under pressure is organised and efficient in day to day responsibilities.

• Someone who can prioritise workloads, be meticulous in planning and communicating with a wide variety of people.

• Someone who can be an ambassador for the venue both in person and in written word.

• Someone with knowledge and experience of all aspects of the technical department and has extensive experience in either a venue or a touring capacity.

• A minimum of 2 years professional theatre experience.

• Experience in all aspects of tech including, but not limited to: LX, Sound and AV.

• Experience of programming, plotting and operation of (a variety of desks) including Tascam Model 12 via Focusrite Scarlet (3rd Gen), Behringer X-Air/XR18 (DV247) Digital Mixer w/ Wireless Control via Apple iPad and ETCnomad w/ Gadget II via Apple iMac (LX desk).

• Experience of QLAB.

• Knowledge / experience of radio mics and live music mixing.

• Experience of managing a team and getting the best from all staff within it.

• Proven abilities of good technical problem solving skills and ability to work well under pressure.

• Able to manage multiple and conflicting priorities in a busy environment.

• Confident in communicating with a wide variety of people including acts, producers and event organisers.

• Knowledge of technical equipment and tools used in a theatre or similar environment.

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Person Attributes required for the role:

Essential:

• Knowledge of health and safety, risk assessments particularly in relation to a venue.

• Knowledge and an interest in working in a fast-paced theatre environment.

• Experience and knowledge in lighting design and sound design.

• Someone who has a passion for their job and is good at working as part of a team and individually. You will need to work closely with all departments and with a mixture of highly experienced and very fresh emerging artists therefor excellent people skills are a must.

• A person who is capable of leading a team and can uphold the excellent reputation of Alphabetti Theatre. Who has good communication skills both in person, over the phone and via email and can jump in and take control with a calm head when required.

• Dedicated and hardworking by nature with meticulous attention to detail, forward thinking who works well under pressure.

• Someone who is Newcastle / North East based and happy to be responsible as a keyholder for the venue.

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Desirable:

• Experience of construction and ability to do some basic carpentry.

• Practical experience of PAT testing.

• Working at height and rigging qualifications.

• First Aid Trained.

• Fire Safety Trained.

• Driving license.

• Enhanced DBS.

• Experience of live streaming and sound and audio recording.

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ABOUT ALPHABETTI THEATRE   

 

‘Not just an essential part of the region’s theatre ecology…but the UK. Long may it continue.’ British Theatre Guide  

 

Alphabetti Theatre is an award-winning, artist led performance space in Newcastle upon Tyne. We believe that great art should be for everyone, regardless of financial situation, and work to create great socioeconomically accessible theatre by, with and for our community. We are the city’s smallest producing house, making a big impact.  

 

Alphabetti was created to fulfil the need for a fringe venue in the North East, a place for early career artists to experiment, evolve, and be inspired. We are a community-driven space, dedicated to enabling access to theatre, whether as a creative or an audience member. 

 

Through our Pay What You Feel ticketing, artist development programmes and support for homegrown talent, we ensure the continued enjoyment and development of the performing arts in the region.  

 

Since 2013 Alphabetti has commissioned, presented and produced hundreds of publicly funded projects whilst providing support, guidance and opportunities for creatives. Our new writing work has prompted discussion and praise from the theatre bar to the Houses of Parliament and reflects the stories, people, and issues of importance to our community. 

 

In 2023, Alphabetti was named Best Cultural Venue at the North East Culture Awards, and Fringe Theatre of the Year 2023 at The Stage Awards, the first venue outside of London to win this award.  

 

In 2024, departing artistic/executive director and founder Ali Pritchard was presented to King Charles at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party celebrating The Creative Industries, in recognition of Ali’s services to grassroots arts and culture. 

 

In June 2024 – Alphabetti Theatre is appointed Edward Cole as its new Artistic/Executive Director, succeeding the theatre's founder, Ali Pritchard. This significant leadership transition marks an exciting new chapter in Alphabetti’s story.  Ed brings a wealth of experience to Alphabetti. After graduating from the University of Hull with a degree in Drama and studying for a Masters at Drama Centre London, he co-founded Middle Child Theatre, now one of the UK’s foremost new writing theatre companies. Since then, he has worked with numerous theatrical institutions across the country as a director, producer, actor and theatre maker. 

 

Alphabetti Theatre recently celebrated its tenth birthday, and we look forward to the next ten years.