Senior Lighting Technician The Bridgewater Hall

Utilita Arena; Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 Days Annual Leave

Life Assurance

Pension 5% Contribution

Healthshield Cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Eye Care Support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee Referral Scheme

Job summary

The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester is seeking a Senior Lighting Technician to join the technical team. You will lead the setup, operation and maintenance of lighting, rigging, sound and AV for a diverse programme, working closely with visiting productions and clients to deliver safe, high‑quality events.

This hands‑on role requires strong technical expertise, supervisory experience, and a proactive approach.

Qualifications

• Qualification in lighting or significant experience with modern lighting and production systems.
• Strong technical knowledge of lighting; working understanding of audio, AV, and rigging; comfortable working at height.
• Experience in live entertainment or venues; supporting clients, promoters, hirers.
• Previous supervisory experience; ability to stay calm under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Flexible, self-motivated and collaborative; able to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support technical staff, ensuring work is delivered safely and in line with health & safety regulations.
• Provide technical support for events, including setup, operation, and maintenance of lighting, rigging, sound, AV, staging, seating and furniture.
• Act as in-house lighting engineer and rigger, liaising with clients and productions to deliver requirements safely and effectively.
• Support venue operations with Duty Manager responsibilities, facilities cover, building maintenance, BMS monitoring and emergency procedures.
• Maintain technical equipment and standards, supporting training, stock control, preventative maintenance and development of the venue's capabilities.

Skills

Lighting systems knowledge

Live events experience

Supervisory experience

Health & safety awareness

Education

Lighting qualification

Tools

Chamsys lighting consoles

Digico audio consoles

Meyer loudspeaker management

Electrical qualifications

Job description

The Venue

At the heart of Manchester’s cultural life, The Bridgewater Hall is an internationally celebrated concert venue built for musical brilliance. Opened in 1996 by Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh, it delivers over 300 unforgettable performances each year, spanning classical masterpieces to contemporary world music. A place where artists inspire and audiences connect; The Bridgewater Hall is proudly operated by Legends Global.

The Role

The Senior Lighting Technician is a key member of the technical team and one of the primary technical points of contact at The Bridgewater Hall. Working closely with clients, colleagues, and visiting productions, you will support the delivery of a diverse programme of events, ensuring all technical operations are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standard.

The role encompasses the setup, operation, and maintenance of lighting, rigging, sound, and AV equipment, alongside supporting room configurations, event production, and general venue operations. With a particular focus on lighting and rigging, you will also support equipment maintenance, facilities operations, and the ongoing development and training of the technical team.

This is a hands‑on role requiring strong technical expertise, excellent communication skills, and a proactive approach to delivering exceptional event experiences.

The Responsibilities

• Lead and support technical staff, ensuring work is delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with health & safety regulations.
• Provide technical support for events, including the setup, operation, and maintenance of lighting, rigging, sound, AV, staging, seating, and furniture.
• Act as an in‑house lighting engineer and rigger, liaising with clients and incoming productions to deliver technical requirements safely and effectively.
• Support venue operations by undertaking Duty Manager responsibilities, assisting with facilities cover, building maintenance, BMS monitoring, and emergency response procedures.
• Maintain technical equipment and standards, supporting training, stock control, preventative maintenance, and the continued development of the venue's technical capabilities.

What we're looking for

• Relevant qualification in a lighting‑related discipline or significant professional experience working with modern lighting and production systems.
• Strong technical knowledge of lighting, with a working understanding of audio, AV, and rigging systems, and confidence working at height.
• Experience working in live entertainment, music, events, or performance venues, including supporting clients, promoters, and hirers.
• Previous supervisory experience with the ability to remain calm under pressure, solve technical problems, and meet demanding deadlines.
• Flexible, self‑motivated, and collaborative, with excellent attention to detail, a strong understanding of health & safety, and the ability to work evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience operating and programming Chamsys lighting consoles.
• Working knowledge of Digico audio consoles and Meyer loudspeaker management systems.
• Entertainment rigging qualifications (3 Day Rigging for the Entertainment Industry or NRC Level 2).
• Electrical qualifications, including C&G Level 3, BS7671 18th Edition, or BS7909.
• IPAF certification, CAD experience, and good literacy, numeracy, and IT skills.

What can we offer?

• 25 Days Annual Leave – Work hard, rest well.
• Life Assurance – Peace of mind knowing your loved ones are protected.
• 5% Pension Contribution – Helping you prepare for a bright future.
• Healthshield Cover – Support with dental, physio, counselling and more for you and your children.
• Employee Assistance Programme – AXA Health support whenever you need it.
• Eye Care Support – Vouchers and contributions towards glasses.
• Cycle to Work Scheme – A greener, healthier commute.
• Employee Referral Scheme – Recommend great people and get rewarded.

Recruitment Process Outlined

• 1st Stage - Interview at the venue with Technical Management team

Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks. These may include verification of identity, proof of address, right to work, employment history, qualifications, and—where relevant to the role—a basic or enhanced DBS check. All checks will be carried out in line with data protection law and we will only request information that is necessary for the role.

Inclusive Workplace

At Legends Global , we are committed to leading the entertainment industry towards a greener, faster, and more innovative digital future. There’s never been a better time to join our team. We aim to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers, and suppliers. Join us and make a significant impact from day one.

We are committed to active inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities. This commitment begins with our recruitment and selection process. We welcome discussions about flexible working arrangements.

If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of our recruitment process, please let us know in your application. We are dedicated to providing a fair and transparent assessment process and will do our utmost to accommodate your needs.