Theatre Technician

Aberystwyth University; Aberystwyth; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

36.5-hour week

27 days annual leave

Relocation support

Professional development

Job summary

Aberystwyth Arts Centre, part of Aberystwyth University, is seeking experienced Theatre Technicians to join its multi-skilled technical team. The role involves supporting resident companies, developing technical expertise in lighting, sound and digital production, and supervising assistants and casual staff.

The position offers opportunities to work across a busy venue with a strong production pipeline, potential overtime at enhanced rates, and relocation support if moving to Aberystwyth.

Qualifications

• Essential: degree in Technical Theatre or equivalent or 3+ years in a similar theatre/arts centre environment.
• Essential: minimum 3 years as a technician in theatre/live events.
• Desirable: oral Welsh language ability and willingness to learn Welsh level A1/B1 as needed.
• Experience supervising a team and coordinating with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety regulations relevant to live events.

Responsibilities

• Support visiting companies and resident artists by defining technical needs and delivering on the brief.
• Develop technical specialisms across lighting, sound, AV, and stagecraft to keep up with production technology.
• Supervise Assistant Technicians, Apprentices and casual staff; provide training when needed.
• Assist with budgets and resource planning within approved constraints.

Skills

Communication skills

Welsh language

Team supervision

Problem solving

Pressure handling

Health & Safety

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Education

Degree in Technical Theatre or related

3+ years theatre/live events experience

Tools

Avolite consoles

Robe moving lights

ETC lighting systems

Vectorworks CAD

Yamaha sound consoles

Job description

The Role

Aberystwyth Arts Centre is very excited to be able to offer this fantastic opportunity for experienced Theatre Technicians to join their busy multi skilled technical team. The Technicians will be part of a team headed by the Head of Technical Services.

Ideally, you will have worked in a multi-disciplinary arts venue or relevant technical environment, preferably in a supervisory role. You should have a very strong discipline in one or more of the following: lighting, sound, stagecraft and live digital production. You will also need a good understanding of all aspects of the delivery and production processes for live events and theatre. You will have excellent communication skills and a good track record of collaborative working. The Technician post is integral to the Arts Centre team, it will be an exciting opportunity for the right person, there are lots of chances to develop skills and be creative.

To make an informal enquiry, please contact Pete Lochery at [e-mail]

Appointments are normally made within 4 - 8 weeks of the closing date.

What you’ll do

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

Award winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre is a regionally important venue, comprising of a theatre, concert hall, performance studio, cinema and numerous exhibition and creative learning spaces. It offers over 300 performances annually across all art forms, alongside a programme of cinema, exhibitions, festivals and special events. We are a department of Aberystwyth University and are situated at the heart of the campus, with spectacular views over Cardigan Bay.

The theatre space has recently undergone a full technical refit, this has been alongside a substantial investment in lighting and sound systems across the whole of the Arts Centre; the Arts Centre technical team strive to be at the forefront of live production/event technology.

The Arts Centre delivers a large programme of varied work, which gives the Technicians a chance to work on many different types of performances and live events. The Technicians will get a chance to use all their ‘skill bases’ to the full, plus a chance to build on existing strengths and learn more disciplines in technical production. The Arts Centre is building on its producing work, from in-house and touring productions to collaborations and co-productions with other theatre companies. The yearly professional summer musicians that the Arts Centre produces have attracted critical acclaim comparing them to West End production standards or higher. We believe the producing work we do to be very important to the development of the technical team’s knowledge and is integral to giving technicians a wealth of experience.

The Arts Centre has a busy programme and because of this overtime can be a regular occurrence for the technicians. As a department of Aberystwyth University, overtime and unsociable hours working are remunerated at an enhanced hourly rate, in line with University procedures. Living in Aberystwyth is a fantastic experience, especially with the surrounding country and seaside. We recognise it is a distance from other places, so a relocation payment may be paid if you are moving into the area to take employment with the Arts Centre.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

The role-holder will work under the management of the Technical Manager in accordance with the scheduling and technical requirements of activities. This activity will include but is not limited to:

Technical Support

• To provide specific support to companies who are resident at the Arts Centre, including meeting with creative teams and artists to establish their technical needs. This will involve making independent decisions but within broad parameters determined by the Head of Technical Services
• To respond to the technical requirements of any event using Arts Centre facilities and to take a pro-active role in ensuring the success of any events to which the roleholder has been allocated.
• To continually develop technical specialisms (e.g. set building and stagecraft, AV and digital production, lighting, sound) and keep your knowledge up with the ever-changing technology enabling the technical department to deliver the highest standards possible.
• To physically deliver the technical requirements of any events or performances. Technical Facilitation for Visiting Events
• Ensuring the technical requirements for events are appropriately met and being on hand to deliver on the agreed expectations and technical brief.
• To provide technical liaison and support to companies visiting the Arts Centre in accordance with the technical schedule and allocation of resource.
• To advise on technical and budgetary implications arising from the agreed specification and brief.
• To keep all stakeholders informed as appropriate with relevant technical or related information during the staging of an event.

General Maintenance

• To maintain all production areas and equipment including certain areas of the building and plant.
• To ensure that all areas being used for technical construction or other related duties remain clean and safe as guided by protocols established by the Head of Technical Services.

Teamwork and Staff Supervision

• The role-holder will supervise and guide the work of Assistant Technicians, Apprentices and Casual staff; this may involve training and demonstration when needed.

Finances and Budgets

• The role-holder will not have direct spending authorities and will work with members of the team who have such authorities. However, the role holder could, at times, have an allocated budget for areas of activity intrinsic to larger scale projects e.g. materials for construction. You will be required to operate and deliver the agreed elements within that set budget.

Health and Safety

• Under the management of the Head of Technical Services and within prescribed protocols established through the H&S management structure of the Arts Centre, to discharge responsibilities as appropriate for the safety of areas, projects, teams, and events requiring technical support.
• To contribute to the development of Event Management Plans. As guided by the Head of Technical Services to be present at Health and Safety site visits.
• Occasionally, when appropriate to deputise for the Chief Technician.
• To undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.

Other Duties

• To act as a professional public face for the Arts Centre, liaising directly with customers and clients.
• Contributing to the technical provision of the University more broadly as business needs demand
• To be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
• To be committed to your own development through the effective use of the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme.
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role

The position is physically demanding therefore it is essential that the successful applicant has an appropriate level of health and fitness. Appointment to this position may be subject to a satisfactory fitness assessment.

Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required

Essential

1. A degree in a relevant subject such as Technical Theatre and Stage Management or at least 3 years full time experience in a similar environment: a Theatre or Arts Centre
2. A minimum of three years’ experience as a technician in a setting involving theatre performances and live events.
3. Experience of working with a broad range of clients and stakeholders, both internal and external including experience of working with the general public
4. Experience of supervising a team. Good interpersonal skills, enabling effective team working relationships
5. An understanding of budgetary protocols and accountability, you should have a willingness to be trained as required
6. An excellent understanding of the theatre production process. A good practical understanding of theatre spaces and production infrastructure with an up to date knowledge of production technology related to live presentation
7. Good working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety regulations, including but not limited to: Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) Working at Height Electricity at Work Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Provision and Use of Work Equipment Personal Protective Equipment
8. Strong communication skills both orally and in writing
9. Ability to work unsupervised and able to take the initiative in problem solving
10. Ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines and to be able to negotiate several conflicting priorities
11. 15. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh A1* or evidence to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to learn Welsh to this level.

Desirable

1. Creative department experience - Designer, Lighting Designer, AV design or sound design
2. Stage Management experience
3. A good understanding of Avolite consoles and Robe moving light fixtures
4. A good understanding of ETC lighting systems including ETC lighting consoles
5. A good understanding of Vectorworks CAD.
6. A good understanding of Yamaha sound consoles
7. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level B1*

*More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:

https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/

Benefits

• Flexible working policy
• Hybrid Working
• 36.5 – hour week for full-time roles
• Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
• Commitment to Professional Development
• Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
• Staff recognition and reward schemes
• Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
• Staff relocation bursary
• Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
• Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.

Please keep reading

Aberystwyth University generally supports hybrid working, allowing a mix of office-based and remote working for suitable roles to enhance flexibility and productivity. Job descriptions typically detail a primary work location alongside opportunities for flexible, remote, or home-based work, subject to service needs and manager approval.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and, those that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.

We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

Employment Visa

Under the UK Government’s points-based system scheme, this role does not meet the criteria to be sponsored by Aberystwyth University (AU) for a Skilled Worker Route (SWR) application.