Assistant Stage Manager

Airborne Comrades Association; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

ABO is seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Stage Manager to join our Stage Management team, helping with day-of logistics and ensuring practical arrangements are in place for musicians to perform at the highest standard.

You will work closely with musicians, conductors, soloists and technical teams across rehearsals, concerts, recording sessions and international tours, with training provided and opportunities for professional development in health and safety and stage planning software.

Qualifications

• Experience in orchestral environments with professional musicians.
• Strong practical aptitude for handling, loading and staging instruments and equipment.
• Good multi-tasking across rehearsals, concerts and tours.
• Excellent communication with musicians, conductors, venue staff and production teams.
• Ability to anticipate issues, solve problems under pressure and stay calm on show days.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Capacity to lift and carry instruments and staging equipment (manual handling training provided).
• Willingness to travel and work evenings/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Assist with stage planning for concerts, rehearsals and recording venues; prepare stage plans.
• Assist with loading/unloading instruments and music scores; ensure proper storage during transport.
• Arrive early at venues and lay out stages per plans for rehearsals and performances.
• Ensure stage layouts meet orchestra and conductor requirements; position chairs, music stands, podiums and lighting.
• Set out music pads and assist with day‑to‑day management with Orchestra Manager and Production Managers.
• Maintain high standards of stage presentation and coordinate with venue technical teams.
• Report incidents to SOM and support insurance documentation as needed.
• Adhere to dress standards for backstage and on stage.

Skills

Orchestral experience

Practical aptitude

Multi-tasking

Communication

Problem solving

Organisational skills

Team player

Lifting / manual handling

Flexibility to travel & irregular hrs

Tools

Microsoft Visio

Microsoft Office

Stage planning tools

Job description

The RPO is looking for an enthusiastic individual with a practical flair to join our Stage Management team, assisting with logistics on the day, and ensuring that all practical arrangements are in place for the musicians to perform at the very highest standard. The Assistant Stage Manager works closely with musicians, conductors, soloists and technical teams to deliver orchestral experiences on stage, whether for rehearsals and concerts, recording sessions, or international tours.

Joining a creative and committed team, this role offers an opportunity to work on a variety of concerts and experiences with the RPO’s two orchestras (RPO & RPCO) at a range of venues from iconic concert halls to some of the most exciting and diverse locations around the world. No two days are the same!

Training will be provided and there will be opportunities for professional development including Health & Safety, Hearing Protection, First Aid and use of stage planning and diary software programmes.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Stage Planning & Management

• Assist SOM and Senior Stage Manager (SSM) with stage planning for concert, rehearsal and recording venues and, when required, prepare stage plans for review. (Training on Microsoft Visio software will be provided.)
• Assist with the loading and unloading of instruments and music scores between the RPO’s warehouse, trucks and venues, ensuring that all instruments and scores are always handled with the highest level of care and are correctly stored within the truck
• Arrive promptly and as agreed with the SOM at venues in advance of the Orchestra’s arrival
• Working from agreed stage plans, ensure that stages at rehearsals, recording sessions and performance venues in both the UK and abroad are correctly laid out to meet the requirements of the Orchestra and conductors, including placing of all necessary equipment, such as chairs, music stands, conductor’s podium and rostrum, overhead stage lighting, stand lighting, electrical outlets, extension cords and large instruments.
• Lay out music pads for the Orchestra and Conductor’s scores as required
• Work with the Orchestra Manager and internal/external Production Managers on the day to assist with the smooth running of the shows on the day
• Ensure that stage management during performances is carried out effectively and that presentation on stage is of the highest standard
• Maintain excellent relations with the Musicians, resolving their requirements and bringing any issues to the attention of the SOM
• Work with venues’ stage and technical teams to ensure the Orchestra is best represented and maintain positive working relationships with them at all times
• Ensure that all reportable incidents are notified to the SOM and that any information required for insurance claims is provided accurately and promptly
• Adhere to RPO dress standards for backstage work and on stage

Instruments Inventory

• Assist the SOM with purchase of orchestral equipment, obtaining quotes and processing of invoices as required
• Work with other Team members to maintain the Company musical equipment store and garage (warehouse) in good order
• Assist the SOM with ensuring the database of instruments and equipment is kept up-to‑date

Health and Safety

• Maintain good health and safety practices, reporting any issues that arise to the SOM
• Assist with the set‑up and running of hearing protection dosimeters for events, maintain accurate record keeping of the data readings (training will be provided) and provide reports for the Company’s Health and Safety records as required
• Undertake mandatory Health and Safety training

Other

• Adhere to environmental procedures including efficient travel, power saving and safe disposal of equipment
• Such other duties as may reasonably be requested by the SOM or as required by the Company

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

• Experience of working in an orchestral environment and/or with professional musicians
• Strong practical aptitude and knowledge of the methods and practices employed in handling, packing, loading, unloading and stowing musical instruments and an awareness of their value
• Good multi-tasking skills, able to prioritise whilst also working across a range of demands on a daily basis
• Good communication skills and able to converse with a wide range of stakeholders. Maturity, diplomacy and tact towards musicians, other performers and venue staff
• Ability to anticipate issues, to problem‑solve under pressure and to quickly identify solutions
• Good organisational skills with attention to detail
• Ability to work well both independently and as a team player
• The role involves lifting and carrying instruments and staging and therefore the post holder must have the capacity to lift and carry such equipment carefully. Manual handling training will be provided
• Flexibility to travel and work irregular hours including evenings and weekends

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel)
• Knowledge of Microsoft Visio for stage planning
• Ability to use databases/concert planning tools
• Current UK Driver

• Download Rpo Assistant Stage Manager Jd Nov 2026 Final

The next ABO conference will take place in Birmingham from 3-5 February 2027.