Senior Scenic Artist

Scenic Guild; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holiday

Pension contributions

Company benefits

Opportunities for progression

Job summary

Rocket Scenery is seeking a Senior Scenic Artist to lead complex finishes and mentor junior artists within the Paintshop. You will interpret designers’ references, applying broad materials knowledge and strong artistic judgement to deliver high-quality scenic work across diverse projects.

The role demands five years of experience, a robust portfolio, and the ability to manage production deadlines while maintaining artistic standards.

Qualifications

• Five years of professional scenic painting experience.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating diverse scenic finishes and techniques.
• Excellent practical scenic painting skills and artistic judgement.
• Experience leading projects or supervising other artists.
• Confidence to make decisions and solve creative challenges independently.
• Strong communication and mentoring skills.
• Calm, collaborative and solutions-focused approach.
• Ability to balance creative quality with production deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Deliver complex scenic finishes to the highest professional standards.
• Take ownership of scenic elements or finishes within larger projects.
• Interpret design briefs, references and samples with confidence and accuracy.
• Support the Scenic Lead in delivering projects safely, efficiently and to schedule.
• Sampling and colour matching.
• Lead a small team to create a unified finish.
• Mentor and develop junior Scenic Artists, sharing techniques and best practice.
• Help maintain consistency and quality throughout the Paintshop.
• Assist with planning, material selection and problem-solving as required.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers and other workshop departments.
• Promote safe working practices and high standards of workshop organisation.

Job description

The Role

Reporting to the Scenic Lead, the Senior Scenic Artist is a skilled and experienced member of the Paintshop team. You will be confident interpreting designers’ references and developing them into full-scale scenic finishes, drawing on a broad knowledge of materials, techniques and processes. You will take ownership of complex finishes and scenic elements, applying strong artistic judgement, problem solving skills and attention to detail throughout. This role is ideal for an experienced Scenic Artist with a wide ranging technical skillset, a passion for craftsmanship and the confidence to deliver high quality scenic work across a variety of projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver complex scenic finishes to the highest professional standards.
• Take ownership of scenic elements, areas or finishes within larger projects.
• Interpret design briefs, references and samples with confidence and accuracy.
• Support the Scenic Lead in delivering projects safely, efficiently and to schedule.
• Sampling and colour matching.
• Leading a small team to create a unified finish.
• Mentor and develop junior Scenic Artists, sharing techniques, knowledge and best practice across the team.
• Help maintain consistency and quality throughout the Paintshop.
• Assist with planning, material selection and problem-solving where required.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers and other workshop departments.
• Promote safe working practices and high standards of workshop organisation.

About you

• We would love to hear from candidates who have:
• At least five years’ professional scenic painting experience.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating a wide range of scenic finishes and techniques.
• Excellent practical scenic painting skills and artistic judgement.
• Experience leading aspects of projects or supervising other artists.
• Confidence making decisions and solving creative challenges independently.
• Strong communication and mentoring skills.
• A calm, collaborative and solutions focused approach.
• The ability to balance creative quality with production deadlines.
• Experience within theatre is advantageous but not essential. We recognise that many scenic skills are transferable and welcome applications from talented practitioners working in theatre, television, film, exhibitions and experiential environments.

Why Join Rocket Scenery?

• Work on varied and creatively ambitious projects.
• Help shape and develop a highly skilled Paintshop team.
• Join an established and respected company with a strong reputation for quality.
• Opportunities for progression and leadership development.
• Paid holiday, pension contributions and company benefits.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.