Head of Technical & Facilities
Midlands Arts Centre
Turn this role into an interview — a resume and cover letter built around what this employer wants.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) is an ambitious arts venue in Birmingham seeking a Head of Technical & Facilities to lead the Technical Resources department. You will oversee technical operations, facilities management, and capital projects, ensuring safety, sustainability, and excellent service for artists and audiences.
The role requires substantial experience in public-venue operations, strong leadership, and a proactive, collaborative approach with staff and external partners.
Qualifications
- Relevant qualification in facilities, engineering, technical theatre, building services, management or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- IOSH Managing Safely qualification (or willingness to obtain).
- Significant experience managing facilities, technical services, estates or building operations within public venues, including contractor management and maintenance programmes.
- Knowledge of health and safety, building compliance, fire safety, security, emergency planning, CDM regulations and Martyn's Law.
Responsibilities
- Lead the planning and delivery of technical resources, support and equipment across MAC's artistic programme, commercial hires and events.
- Collaborate with Programming teams, artists, visiting companies and hirers to assess technical feasibility and allocate resources.
- Oversee maintenance, statutory testing, replacement and lifecycle planning of equipment and building systems.
- Lead refurbishment, exhibition installation, and capital projects in line with CDM.
- Ensure MAC's buildings, facilities and equipment are maintained to high standards and compliant.
- Manage maintenance, inspections and compliance programmes across all areas including catering equipment and staff areas.
- Oversee CCTV, access control and physical security infrastructure in collaboration with IT and Security teams.
- Prepare and manage the Technical & Facilities budget; monitor financial performance and variances.
- Lead staff development, training and performance across the Technical & Facilities team.
- Support emergency planning, business continuity and resilience arrangements.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) is an exciting, ambitious arts centre which offers a wide array of free exhibitions, theatre, music, cinema and comedy performances as well as creative learning and participation activities. Well-loved and well used, it's a relaxed friendly place attracting a diverse mix of visitors. We are recruiting for a Head of Technical and Facilities to lead our Technical Resources department.
The Head of Technical & Facilities is responsible for developing and delivering technical and facilities services across MAC. The role leads the Technical & Facilities team, ensuring high standards of technical delivery, maintenance and compliance of building systems, equipment and facilities across MAC. You'll also be supporting MAC's artistic programme, commercial activities and operational efficiency.
Working closely with the Deputy CEO & Director of Commercial & Operations, the postholder contributes to the development of MAC's facilities and building infrastructure, including capital projects, and leads the Green Champions Group to support the operational delivery of the organisation's environmental and sustainability objectives.
- Lead the planning and delivery of technical resources, support and equipment across MAC's artistic programme, commercial hires and events, with day-to-day delivery delegated through the Senior Technician team.
- Work collaboratively with Programming teams, artists, visiting companies and hirers to assess technical feasibility, identify requirements and ensure appropriate resources are allocated.
- Ensure consistently high standards of technical operation, production delivery and artist, client and customer service, maintaining MAC's reputation as a professional and welcoming venue.
- Oversee the maintenance, statutory testing, replacement and lifecycle planning of technical equipment, ensuring assets remain safe, reliable, sustainable and fit for purpose.
- Support the development of MAC's technical infrastructure, identifying opportunities to improve equipment, systems and ways of working in line with artistic and operational needs.
- Ensure MAC's buildings, infrastructure, customer-facing facilities and operational equipment are maintained to a high standard and remain safe, compliant and fit for purpose.
- Manage planned and reactive maintenance, servicing, statutory inspections and compliance programmes for building systems, technical, learning & participation, catering equipment and other operational equipment across public and staff-only areas.
- Oversee MAC’s cleaning and waste management services, ensuring services are delivered safely, effectively, within budget and in line with organisational standards, delegating day-to-day liaison with contractors to the Senior Facilities Technician.
- Oversee standards of cleanliness, presentation and maintenance across customer-facing and staff areas, including washroom facilities, ensuring a positive visitor and workplace experience.
- Lead the operational management of building security, protective security measures, fire safety systems and associated emergency procedures.
- Work with the Heads of IT and Customer Services to oversee CCTV, access control and physical security infrastructure.
- Support the Deputy CEO by advising on asset replacement, maintenance priorities, capital investment and long-term estate planning.
- Lead the operational planning and delivery of refurbishment, exhibition installation, building improvement and capital projects, in line with CDM regulation, acting as the principal liaison with contractors, consultants and project teams.
- Lead the operational delivery of MAC's environmental and sustainability objectives, promoting sustainable working practices across the organisation.
- Chair the Green Champions Group, supporting the development and implementation of MAC's Environmental Action Plan and embedding environmental responsibility across departments.
- Monitor building performance, energy consumption and utility usage, investigating anomalies and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
- Oversee the effective operation of the Building Management System to support energy management and optimise building performance.
- Advise colleagues on environmental legislation, best practice and sustainability initiatives relevant to MAC's operations, facilities and artistic programme.
- Lead, develop and support the Technical & Facilities team, ensuring appropriate staffing, performance and professional development.
- Recruit, train and coach staff to meet the operational and technical needs of MAC.
- Promote a collaborative, customer-focused and solutions-oriented approach across the team.
- Work with the Deputy CEO and external advisors to support the delivery of health and safety, fire safety, venue safety and organisational resilience arrangements.
- Maintain departmental procedures, risk assessments and safe systems of work and ensure appropriate compliance across technical, facilities and operational activities.
- Ensure staff are trained, competent and supported in meeting their health, safety and compliance responsibilities.
- Support compliance with public protection and security legislation, including Martyn's Law where applicable, and contribute to emergency planning, business continuity and resilience arrangements.
- Ensure appropriate maintenance, inspection, servicing and statutory compliance arrangements are in place for technical, catering and operational equipment across the organisation.
- Prepare and manage the Technical & Facilities budget and monitor departmental financial performance.
- Review monthly management accounts, staffing costs and variances, taking corrective action as required.
- Manage maintenance expenditure, service contracts and project budgets in line with procurement policies and approved budgets.
- Promote and support the implementation of MAC's policies relating to equality, diversity, inclusion, safeguarding, health and safety and environmental sustainability.
- Undertake any other duties reasonably required to support the effective operation of MAC.
All staff are expected to further, promote, and ensure the implementation of, the equal opportunities and diversity policies of MAC.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work. We are also committed to ensuring our people are a reflection of the communities we serve. We ensure that our recruitment and promotion processes are fair and open to all.
This job description outlines the principal responsibilities and duties of the post holder. It is not meant to be, nor is it, an exhaustive list of specific responsibilities and duties. The post holder will be expected to undertake any other duties which could reasonably be expected as being within the remit of the post and which arise out of changes in legislation, regulations, orders, rules and working practices, methods and procedures and reviews, as directed from time to time.
- Relevant qualification in facilities, engineering, technical theatre, building services, management or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience, with IOSH Managing Safely qualification (or willingness to obtain).
- Significant experience managing facilities, technical services, estates or building operations within a public-facing venue or comparable environment, including contractor management, maintenance programmes and statutory compliance.
- Strong knowledge of health and safety, building compliance, fire safety, security, emergency planning, CDM regulations, Martyn's Law and other regulatory requirements relevant to public venues.
- Experience leading budgets, projects, refurbishment or capital works, and managing teams to deliver safe, effective and customer-focused operations.
- Understanding of technical production requirements for performances, exhibitions, screenings and events.
- Excellent leadership, communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and make sound decisions under pressure.
- Collaborative, adaptable and solution-focused, demonstrating a commitment to inclusion, sustainability, continuous improvement, high professional standards and flexibility to support operational requirements, including keyholder duties and occasional evening and weekend working.
- NEBOSH, First Aid at Work, Personal Licence Holder qualification, or equivalent professional certifications.
- Experience of technical or facilities management within arts, cultural, entertainment, events or visitor venue environments.
- Experience supporting major capital development, construction or estate improvement projects.
- Experience managing physical security systems, including CCTV and access control.
- Knowledge of accessibility requirements for cultural venues and events.
- Understanding of sustainable venue operations and best practice, including Theatre Green Book principles.
Applications can be received at any time until 11.59pm Tuesday 3 November 2026.
Late applications will not be considered.
Please be aware that we may close this vacancy before the stated deadline if we receive a high number of applications. We strongly advise you to submit your application as early as possible.
Shortlisted candidates will be informed at the latest by the end of day on Friday 6 November 2026.
Initial interviews will be held Wednesday 11 November 2026.
Company pension with employer contributions, Generous annual leave allowance, Staff development and training programmes, Staff discounts, Complimentary tickets
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
