Performance Manager

Wyvernwood; Colchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A unique immersive outdoor theatre near Colchester seeks an experienced Performance Manager to lead the acting team and enhance guest experiences. Responsibilities include managing performances, organizing rehearsals, and maintaining high standards. Ideal candidates will have immersive theatre experience and strong communication skills. This full-time position offers a salary of £26,000+ per annum.

Benefits

Employee discount

On-site parking

Qualifications

• Previous experience with immersive theatre performances.
• Experience in a family-focused environment.
• Calm under pressure and able to prioritize tasks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the acting team.
• Organize rehearsals and provide performance feedback.
• Maintain high standards of performance delivery.
• Capture marketing materials for social media.

Skills

Immersive theatre experience

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Positive attitude

Creative problem-solving

Job description

About Us

Wyvernwood is a fully immersive story-led outdoor theatre and adventure park set in a beautiful setting near Colchester, Essex.

Guests step through a magic portal into another world, an enchanted Kingdom filled with magical inhabitants such as dragons, fairies, a warrior princess, wizards, goblins, unicorns and a heroic sea captain - all brought to life through our team of exceptional actors.

There are storytelling sessions and interactions with Wyvernwood’s unique inhabitants throughout the day, as well as dragon and goblin mascot performances, scripted and improv performances. There are quests, riddles and puzzles for guests to solve within the Kingdom.

Wyvernwood’s ethos is to encourage children and adults to enjoy a digital detox, away from screens and technology and connect with nature whilst having a fun-filled family day out, and an exceptional experience. Wyvernwood is rated 4.7 on TripAdvisor and 4.6 on Google.

The Wyvernwood team strives for excellence in all that it does, aspiring to “Disney” standards of guest experience. We want our guests to return to the Enchanted Kingdom often throughout the year.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced first-class Performance Manager to lead our team of actors.

Reporting to the Experiences Director and M.D.

• Member of Wyvernwood Management team, reporting to our Experiences Director (who is ex-LaplandUK, Merlin Entertainments and Disney)
• Managing the acting team, providing support and nurturing
• Overseeing Planday shifts (creation and approval)
• Organising rehearsals and providing feedback to the acting team; reviewing performances on site regularly
• Organising workshops along with the Experiences Director to enhance and refine performances
• Maintaining high standards of performance delivery and maintaining Wyvernwood’s 5* reputation
• Producing daily rotas for the acting team to include breaks
• Producing itineraries for all peak and off-peak events
• Capturing short video clips and still photography frequently for our Marketing team to post on social media
• Overseeing costume/wardrobe/laundry and maintenance of all props (and ordering/re-ordering of giveaway items)
• Participation in strategic discussions about future events and performances
• Creative input encouraged for new ideas, enhancements to scripts and sets
• Following WW ethos and policies to the letter, alignment to the Management team objectives
• Preserving the Kingdom's magic and protecting the Kingdom's narrative at all times

This represents a great opportunity to get involved at the coal face and at the same time influence the future strategy for Wyvernwood, as we continually strive to enhance the guest experience.

The ideal candidate will have/be:

• Previous experience of immersive theatre and working with actors
• Experience in a family-focused environment
• Excellent communication skills, oral and written
• Ability to “get the job done”, meet tight deadlines
• Organised, efficient and hard working
• Positive and “can do” attitude, problem solver
• Creative, energetic, a self-starter with initiative
• Calm in a crisis, methodical and able to prioritise tasks
• IT literate

Further Details

• Full-time permanent employment or freelance
• Contractual hours 9am to 5pm, 5 days per week, with occasional additional hours required to “get the job done”
• Must be willing to work at weekends, bank holidays and during peak school holiday periods
• 28 days’ holiday per year, including bank holidays
• Salary: £26,000+ per annum, dependent on age and experience

AOB

• Work Location: On-site at The Old Granary Head Office
• Available for immediate start is desirable, but particularly weekends through off-peak, October half term and Christmas 2025.

Benefits

• Employee discount
• On-site parking