Scenic Lead

Scenic Guild; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Scenery in the UK is seeking a Senior Scenic Artist to lead a skilled team, guiding finishes from concept to completion. You will collaborate with production and project groups to deliver creative excellence, quality and efficiency across diverse shows.

Key duties include interpreting design briefs, mentoring Scenic Artists, maintaining high standards, and coordinating with project managers and workshop teams to balance artistic vision with production deadlines in a busy, collaborative

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and team mentoring experience.
• Proven portfolio of scenic finishes and techniques.
• Ability to balance creative quality with production deadlines.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Experience in theatre, TV, or events is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead scenic painting and finishing across a show.
• Interpret design briefs, samples and drawings.
• Manage and mentor Scenic Artists.
• Collaborate with designers and project teams.
• Maintain high standards of scenic quality and consistency.
• Support project planning and material selection.
• Promote safe working practices in the Paintshop.
• Collaborate with Project Managers and other workshop teams.

Skills

Leadership

Portfolio

Communication

Organisational skills

Creative vision

Job description

The Role

This is an ideal opportunity for a Senior Scenic Artist who enjoys leading teams and shaping creative outcomes. Working closely with our production and project teams, you will oversee the delivery of scenic finishes from concept through to completion, ensuring quality, efficiency and creative excellence across projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead scenic painting and finishing activities across the span of a whole show.
• Interpret design briefs, samples and technical drawings.
• Manage and mentor Scenic Artists.
• Work with top designers where required.
• Maintain high standards of scenic quality and consistency.
• Support project planning and material selection.
• Promote safe working practices within the Paintshop.
• Collaborate with Project Managers and other workshop teams.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Scenic Artist with strong artistic and leadership skills. You may currently work in:

• Theatre
• Television and film
• Experiential events and environments

We would love to hear from candidates who have:

• Significant professional scenic painting experience.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating a range of scenic finishes and techniques.
• Experience leading teams or supervising scenic projects.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• The ability to balance creative quality with production deadlines.
• A practical, collaborative and solutions-focused approach.
• The to be decisive, calm, and confident.
• Experience within theatre is welcome but not essential. We recognise that many scenic skills are transferable, and we are keen to hear from talented practitioners from related industries.

Why Join Rocket Scenery?

• Work on varied and creatively ambitious projects.
• Lead and influence a highly skilled scenic team.
• Join a supportive and collaborative workshop environment.
• Flexible freelance engagement with the stability of a longer term booking.
• Opportunity to work with leading theatre designers.

We are happy to have informal conversations with experienced scenic artists who may be considering a move from freelance project work into a longer-term leadership role.