Chief Technician

Aberystwyth University; Aberystwyth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading arts institution located in the scenic Aberystwyth seeks an experienced Chief Technician to oversee the technical operations at its Arts Centre. The ideal candidate will have a solid track record in production and technical expertise, managing teams in a vibrant arts environment. Responsibilities include supervising technical staff, ensuring quality technical support for over 300 performances annually, and engaging with various creative teams. Competitive benefits include a flexible working policy, generous annual leave, and relocation support.

Benefits

Flexible working policy

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Staff discount for gym facilities

Relocation support

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a professional technical arts environment.
• Specific expertise in two or more of the following: Lighting, Sound, Stage Management, Rigging.
• Good understanding of theatre architecture and engineering.

Responsibilities

• Supervise technical teams and operations.
• Ensure all technical requirements for events are met.
• Manage and maintain technical systems and equipment.

Skills

Lighting – Eos and Avolites

Sound

Stage Management

Networking and Dante

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Relevant industry qualification to A-Level standard

Job description

The Role

Award winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre is looking to appoint a Chief Technician to join its technical team.

Aberystwyth Arts Centre is a major regional arts venue with a professional concert hall, theatre, studio, cinema, exhibition and workshop spaces. We offer a busy programme across all art forms and take touring work from major touring companies as well as produce our own professional shows and major festivals. Based at the heart of Aberystwyth University’s campus, we offer an attractive package that includes an excellent pension scheme, flexible working policy, 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days, relocation support and staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality and retail.

Aberystwyth is a great place to live, and the team at the Arts Centre are fantastic to work with – come and join us!

We are looking for an experienced industry professional with a solid track record in production and technical expertise in a multi‑art‑form organisation. You will have managed technical teams and technical operations in a wide variety of settings and activities.

Reporting to the Head of Technical Services, you will ensure that events at the Arts Centre are effectively and efficiently delivered from the point of view of Technical Services. Having already worked for a multi‑disciplinary arts venue, you will be experienced in working across a wide range of events. You will have specific expertise in one or more of the following disciplines: lighting, sound, stage management or digital delivery, and will have a good understanding of all aspects of technical delivery for an event. You will have excellent communication skills and a good track record of building strong relationships and working collaboratively with colleagues from other departments and external organisations.

To make an informal enquiry, please contact Pete Lochery at [e-mail].

Appointments are normally made within 4–8 weeks of the closing date.

What you’ll do

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

Award winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre is a regionally important venue, comprising a theatre, concert hall, performance studio, cinema and numerous exhibition and creative learning spaces. It offers over 300 performances annually across all art forms, alongside a programme of cinema, exhibitions, festivals and special events. We are a department of Aberystwyth University and are situated at the heart of the campus, with spectacular views over Cardigan Bay.

The theatre space has recently undergone a full technical refit, alongside a substantial investment in lighting and sound systems across the whole of the Arts Centre; the Arts Centre technical team strive to be at the forefront of live production/event technology.

The Arts Centre delivers a large programme of varied work, which gives the team a chance to work on many different types of performances and live events. All skill bases are supported to the full, encouraging team members to build on existing strengths and learn more disciplines in technical production. The Arts Centre is building on its producing work, from in‑house and touring productions to collaborations and co‑productions with other theatre companies. The yearly professional summer musics that the Arts Centre produces have attracted critical acclaim, comparing them to West End production standards or higher. We believe the producing work we do to be very important to the development of the technical team’s knowledge and is integral to giving technicians a wealth of experience and support at all levels.

The Arts Centre has a busy programme and because of this overtime can be a regular occurrence. As a department of Aberystwyth University, overtime and unsociable hours working are remunerated at an enhanced hourly rate, in line with University procedures. Living in Aberystwyth is a fantastic experience, especially with the surrounding country and seaside. We recognise it is a distance from other places, so a relocation payment may be paid if you are moving into the area to take employment with the Arts Centre.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Responsible to: Head of Technical Services

Responsible for: Supervising the work of Technicians, Assistant Technicians, Apprentice Technician

Specific duties to include:

Technical

• To provide support and liaison with companies and clients resident in the Arts Centre as part of its wide‑ranging cross‑art‑form programme, including meeting with creative teams and artists to establish their technical needs. This will involve making independent decisions but within broad parameters determined by the Head of Technical Services.
• To participate in the creative development and delivery of the Arts Centre’s in‑house/touring productions, which we offer in both professional and community capacities.
• Ensuring the technical requirements for events are professionally met, scheduling and allocating resources accordingly.
• To continually develop your own technical specialisms (ie AV, lighting, stage‑management) and ensure your knowledge is up to date and best able to support the team and the work of the Arts Centre. You will be supported in this by your Line Manager to identify the training and mentoring that you need. We are particularly keen to develop more sustainable ways of working, and to support the team in delivering the aims of the Theatre Green Book.
• To ensure that all production areas and technical equipment are well maintained, clean and safe.

Teamwork and Team Management

• To supervise the team of full‑time Technicians, Assistant Technicians, Apprentice Technician and freelance technicians on a day‑to‑day basis.
• To ensure that the technical team’s capacity is effectively deployed across all areas of activity and to supervise the quality of the team’s output on a day‑to‑day basis.
• To work effectively and liaise on an ongoing basis with key staff across all areas of the Arts Centre to ensure that technical operations are fully informed, and to support each other.
• To work with the Head of Technical Services to identify needs, source and schedule freelance crew and technical staff to ensure that lighting, audio, AV and stage‑management requirements are met for all performances.

Venue and Equipment Management

• Manage and maintain all technical systems, including lighting rigs, sound desks, video systems, staging equipment, rigging infrastructure.
• Ensure that regular servicing, testing and certification of equipment in line with health and safety legislation are completed.
• Ensure that the team carry out daily inspections of all technical areas and equipment and ensure that any cleaning, repairs or maintenance that is required is undertaken in a timely manner.
• Implement systems and checks to ensure that the highest levels of service are maintained.

Health and Safety

• Under the management of the Head of Technical Services, and within prescribed protocols, to ensure the safe and effective execution of all technical requirements of performance events and any other live activity programmed at the Arts Centre.
• To contribute towards the development of Event Management Plans and Risk Assessments.
• To receive and verify risk assessments for visiting companies and any live performance events and ensure their safe delivery.
• As part of the Technical team to ensure that all backstage technical areas are free from any hazards that may compromise the health and safety of the team, visiting technicians and companies and any other authorised personnel with access to backstage areas.

Financial Management

• A fixed budget will be allocated for technical activity and all projects requiring technical input by the Head of Technical Services. The Chief Technician will work in partnership with colleagues to ensure all upcoming events are budgeted for and recharges outlined before sign‑off.
• To work within the University’s financial protocols and provide support to the Head of Technical Services by raising and processing purchase orders and invoices.

Any other Duties

• To deputise for the Head of Technical Services as required/appropriate.
• To act as a professional public face for the Arts Centre, liaising directly with customers and clients.
• To undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• To be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
• To be committed to your own development and that of your staff through the effective use of the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme.
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Must enjoy working, managing and motivating people.
• Adaptable to change.
• Dynamic, energetic and enthusiastic.
• Proactive and results orientated.
• Tactful, approachable, discreet and diplomatic.
• Flexible and reliable around working evenings and weekends as required.

The position is physically demanding therefore it is essential that the successful applicant has an appropriate level of health and fitness. Appointment to this position may be subject to a satisfactory fitness assessment.

Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required

Essential

1. A relevant industry qualification to A-Level standard.
2. A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a professional technical arts environment.
3. Specific expertise in two or more of the following disciplines: Lighting – Eos and Avolites, Sound, Stage Management, Rigging, Audio Visuals, Networking and Dante.
4. A good understanding of theatre architecture and engineering and up‑to‑date knowledge of theatre technology.
5. Good working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety regulations, including but not limited to: Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER); Working at Height; Electricity at Work; Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH); EU ‘Six Pack’; Provision and Use of Work Equipment Personal Protective Equipment.
6. Experience of supervising a team and good interpersonal skills, enabling effective team working relationships.
7. Strong communication skills both orally and in writing.
8. Ability to work unsupervised and be proactive and take the initiative in problem solving.
9. Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines and to negotiate a number of conflicting priorities.
10. Experience of working with the general public.
11. Full clean driving licence.
12. Oral (spoken) and written Welsh A1* or evidence to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to learn Welsh to this level.

Desirable

1. A degree in a relevant subject.
2. Experience of providing technical support within a multi‑art form organisation.
3. Previous engagement in sustainable practices.
4. Oral (spoken) and written Welsh Level B1* or above.

*More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/

How to apply

To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full‑time, part‑time, job share or term‑time only working arrangements.

Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

Benefits

• Flexible working policy.
• 36.5‑hour week for full‑time roles.
• Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days.
• Commitment to Professional Development.
• Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes.
• Staff recognition and reward schemes.
• Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free.
• Staff relocation bursary.
• Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave.
• Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.

Please keep reading

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and those that are currently under‑represented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.

We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

Employment Visa

Under the UK Government’s points‑based system scheme, this role does not meet the criteria to be sponsored by Aberystwyth University (AU) for a Skilled Worker Route (SWR) application.