Deputy Stage Manager

Barbican; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Barbican Membership

LGPS pension scheme

32 days annual leave

Job summary

Barbican in London is seeking a Deputy Stage Manager to support the day‑to‑day operation and delivery of a world class concert hall programme across onsite and offsite locations. You will oversee rehearsals, performances, and commercial events, working with Barbican teams, visiting artists and contractors.

The role requires significant live events experience, strong stage set‑ups knowledge, and the ability to lead safety briefings and equipment management.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in concert hall, multi‑arts venue or comparable live events environment.
• Experience delivering complex performances, productions and commercial events.
• Experience supervising staff and casual workers in a busy operational setting.
• Strong knowledge of orchestral, choir, band and contemporary music stage set‑ups.
• Experience operating stage equipment and automated stage systems.
• Understanding of sound, lighting, recording, video and broadcast requirements.
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation and best practice within live events environments.
• Experience maintaining equipment and managing technical resources.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• First Aid qualification or willingness to achieve one through Barbican training.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and overnight shifts as required.

Responsibilities

• Act as Duty Stage Manager for rehearsals, performances and events, taking operational responsibility from load-in to load-out.
• Supervise and support Stage Assistants and casual staff, ensuring effective deployment and safe working practices.
• Manage backstage and onstage activity during rehearsals, concerts, recordings and commercial events.
• Coordinate communication between Barbican teams, artists, visiting companies, management representatives and broadcasters.
• Lead and participate in pre-show operational and security briefings.
• Oversee stage changes, orchestral and contemporary music set‑ups, backline provision and commercial event configurations.
• Operate and supervise the safe use of automated stage systems, including lifts and risers.
• Assist with rigging, show set‑ups and load‑outs where required.
• Support the management and maintenance of stage equipment, furniture and materials, ensuring accurate inventory records are maintained.
• Produce and maintain event documentation including show reports, maintenance records, health and safety paperwork and accident reports.
• Undertake evacuation responsibilities and contribute to emergency planning and procedures.
• Build positive relationships with colleagues, artists, promoters, associates and external suppliers.
• Contribute to educational and engagement activities delivered backstage.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, supporting the delivery of accessible performances and events.

Skills

Stage management

Live events

Communication

Organisation

First Aid

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

The Barbican is a multidisciplinary international arts centre in the City of London.

Across its theatres, concert halls, cinemas, galleries, business venues, public and community spaces, the Barbican showcases the most exciting artists and performers from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries and helping us understand our lives in new and unexpected ways. Each year, the Centre presents hundreds of different performances, events and exhibitions that entertain and inspire millions of people, create connections, provoke debate, and reflect the world we live in.

Firmly rooted in its neighbourhood, the Barbican collaborates on projects with local communities, and supports young people and emerging talent to develop their artistic practice and access jobs in the creative industry

Our boundary-pushing music programme is renowned for its range, ambition, and inclusivity. Alongside our partners, we provide some of the most exciting musical experiences in the capital, from dazzling classical concerts and opera to unique shows with leading contemporary artists, cutting‑edge electronic creations, durational experiences, and cross‑arts collaborations.

The role

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Deputy Stage Manager to assist with the day‑to‑day operation, supervision, and delivery of our world class programme in the Concert Hall and associated onsite and offsite locations. These include classical and contemporary music concerts and events, as well as a large programme of commercial activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Duty Stage Manager for rehearsals, performances and events, taking operational responsibility from load-in to load-out.
• Supervise and support Stage Assistants and casual staff, ensuring effective deployment and safe working practices.
• Manage backstage and onstage activity during rehearsals, concerts, recordings and commercial events.
• Coordinate communication between Barbican teams, artists, visiting companies, management representatives and broadcasters.
• Lead and participate in pre-show operational and security briefings.
• Oversee stage changes, orchestral and contemporary music set‑ups, backline provision and commercial event configurations.
• Operate and supervise the safe use of automated stage systems, including lifts and risers.
• Assist with rigging, show set‑ups and load‑outs where required.
• Support the management and maintenance of stage equipment, furniture and materials, ensuring accurate inventory records are maintained.
• Produce and maintain event documentation including show reports, maintenance records, health and safety paperwork and accident reports.
• Undertake evacuation responsibilities and contribute to emergency planning and procedures.
• Build positive relationships with colleagues, artists, promoters, associates and external suppliers.
• Contribute to educational and engagement activities delivered backstage.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, supporting the delivery of accessible performances and events.

About You

• Significant experience working in a concert hall, multi‑arts venue or comparable live events environment.
• Experience delivering complex performances, productions and commercial events.
• Experience supervising staff and casual workers in a busy operational setting.
• Strong knowledge of orchestral, choir, band and contemporary music stage set‑ups.
• Experience operating stage equipment and automated stage systems.
• An understanding of sound, lighting, recording, video and broadcast requirements.
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation and best practice within live events environments.
• Experience maintaining equipment and managing technical resources.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• A current First Aid qualification or willingness to achieve one through Barbican‑supported training.
• The flexibility to work evenings, weekends and overnight shifts as required.
• Experience of rota planning, budget management and working with external suppliers would be advantageous, as would a broad interest in music, culture and the wider arts sector.

What We Offer

• Barbican Membership
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• 32 days annual leave including bank holidays, increasing with service
• Access to Barbican Centre discounts including offers at the Barbican Shop and hospitality outlets
• City Corporation staff benefits and discounts throughout the City of London, including at Tower Bridge, Guildhall Art Gallery and others
• Reciprocal entry to a number of galleries and museums across London
• Learning and development opportunities
• Employee volunteering scheme (up to 2 days per year)
• A vibrant, creative and inclusive workplace at one of the world's leading arts centres

*Please note that this is not a theatrical Deputy Stage Management position and, therefore, “calling of performances” or “prompt copy creation” are not essential requirements of the post in rehearsals

Equal Opportunity The City of London Corporation want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the work that we do. The City of London Corporation is currently undergoing a programme ensure that our pay and reward practices are competitive and equitable across the whole organisation - and is committed to regularly benchmarking and reviewing pay against external sectors.

As part of our commitment to increasing the diversity of staff within the Barbican we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from groups that are currently underrepresented, including people from the Global Majority* and D/deaf and disabled people. We want to better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve.

Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. Disabled applicants who wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme and who meet the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview. In the event of a high volume of applications, we may limit the number of interviews offered. Please contact us if you require reasonable adjustments as part of the application process. ”

The City of London Corporation want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the work that we do. The City of London Corporation is currently undergoing a programme ensure that our pay and reward practices are competitive and equitable across the whole organisation - and is committed to regularly benchmarking and reviewing pay against external sectors.

*Global Majority is a collective term that refers to people who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual‑heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or, have been racialised as 'ethnic minorities'.