Technical Manager à United States

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Around the world, Disney Theatrical Group brings live entertainment to an audience of over 20 million people in 50 countries each year. Here in the UK & Ireland, our shows currently include the West End productions of The Lion King and Hercules.

This role is responsible for supporting the Production Manager, including all areas of the physical production of Disney’s stage shows, which take place in London, in surrounding areas, or on tour throughout the UK and Ireland.

This role oversees the ongoing maintenance and technical staffing of these shows. Working closely with the Production Manager, originating Production Manager, Creative Team and associates, the Technical Supervisor ensures that the highest professional standards of production are maintained.

This is an office-based role, with the successful candidate expected to work four days per week at the Holborn office and one day remotely. Flexibility is essential, as weekend and evening work form an integral part of the position. Occasional travel may also be required to assess other Disney productions.

Applicants are kindly asked to include a covering letter alongside their CV.

The Opportunity & Responsibilities:

RUNNING PRODUCTIONS

• Attend performances of the Production as directed for the purpose of conducting a “normal check” of the sets, props, electrics, lighting, sound, video, performer flying, special effects, costumes, masks and puppets, wigs, hair and make-up and any other aspects of the physical productions when requested by the Production Manager.
• Provide critical notes (if any) to the Production Manager, Department Heads, Designers, Stage Manager, and General Manager or its designees.
• At Production Manager’s direction support the budgeting, bidding, purchasing, and/or supervising shop construction for the replacement of sets, props, electrics, lighting, sound, projections, special effects, costumes, masks and puppets, including any parts or components of the foregoing, or other aspects of the physical production.
• Work closely with the Production Manager, designers or associates and the General Manager, to ensure the designers' concept is maintained subject to budgetary constraints.
• Support the Production Manager to ensure that the agreed repairs and replacement production budgets, including regular department expenditure, are adhered to and that any technical overtime is carefully managed.
• Support the Production Manager to periodically review scheduling and working practices of the departments, ensuring they are both efficient and achieving performance targets.
• Support the Production Manager to recruit, manage, train and oversee performance management of show staff, developing and maintaining a committed and competent team.
• Report and provide feedback staff staff-related issues to the Production Manager and General Manager in a timely manner.
• If required, schedule, budget, and oversee the handling of the physical production and technical supervision during load-out, ensuring a timely exit and reinstatement and ensure that all physicals elements are cleaned, maintained and appropriately stored.
• Support the originating Production Manager, Production Manager and Technical Director in preparing a new or touring production as required.
• Attend all meetings and presentations at such times and places as the Production Manager may designate.
• Assist the Technical Director, originating Production Manager and Production Manager in ensuring that the right working conditions are created during the technical rehearsal and preview periods for technical staff.
• Support the Production Manager to ensure that all the appropriate TWDC legal and procurement processes are followed regarding the purchasing or renting of physical production assets.
• Ensure all vendors are contracted and paid promptly.
• Support the originating Production Manager, Production Manager and Health & Safety Supervisor with the creation, delivery and execution of a risk assessment.
• In conjunction with the originating Production Manager and Production Manager, ensure the cast and crew are instructed in the application, operation, and maintenance of all physical production elements.
• In conjunction with the Production Manager and General Manager, provide detailed pre-production and running budgets with a schedule of orders (including contracted-out labour and technicians) and costs.
• Lead budgeting of production moves, refining figures with actuals following each move.
• At Production Manager’s direction, conduct and/or update technical surveys of venues before each of the applicable production engagements, which may include future touring productions, and ensure all surveys are retained for future engagements.
• Support the Production Manager to produce, upon request, appropriate set and stage plans and ensure plans are revised periodically for accuracy.
• Support the Production Manager to recruit, manage, train and oversee performance management of show staff, developing and maintaining a committed and competent team.
• Report and feedback staff related issues to the Production Manager and General Manager in a timely manner.

ONGOING TOURING

• Responsibility to oversee all touring logistics, ensuring timely and efficient transfers are achieved and maintained.
• Handling of the physical production and technical supervision of load-ins, supervising touring production moves as lead representative of Disney Theatrical Group, ensuring the highest level of technical support at all times.
• Ensure the Production Assistant has all relevant information for booking production staff accommodation and travel, where applicable.
• Develop and circulate key production documentation, including technical rider, schedules, and crew calls for each move with venues, production staff, haulier and production office for touring shows.
• Ensure clear communication of technical information in good time and in accordance with all contractual obligations.
• Arranging and attending venue site visits, identifying venue-specific challenges and advising on possible seat kills.
• Responsible for all import/export and Carnet documentation.

GENERAL

• Support the Production Manager to ensure the smooth running of all rehearsals and performances and production moves, liaising between Production and General Management Teams, Company Management, Technical Departments, Resident Creative Team and local venue staff.
• Ensure that the effective flow of information both within the Production Office, across the show technical departments, show teams and the wider organisation in relation to all production matters and issues.
• Report and feedback show related issues in a timely manner.
• Support the Production Office with a shared vision and purpose.
• Deputise for the Production Manager in their absence.
• Prepare technical budgets for a variety of productions and projects or varying scales.
• Manage DTG EMEA storage, ensuring items are appropriately stored, logged and actively reused.
• Work to ensure some consistency among DTG vendors in terms of rates of pay, travel, accommodation and related benefitys and that these terms are in line with industry practice.
• Other standalone projects as may be required for illustration purposes, but no limited to:-
• A sustainability study to ensure proper consideration can be made to the ambitions of the Green Book during the production period, the run and post production.
• Project manage and lead building-related projects on running shows such as dressing room refurbs and facility upgrades.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Work in accordance with the Health And Safety Policy and maintain a good working knowledge of all relevant health and safety legislation and good working practices.
• Support the Health and Safety Supervisor to ensure that all current Health and Safety legislation and code of practices are adhered to on all current and future productions.
• Support the provision of risk assessments, ensuring the Productions comply with local fire and health and safety regulations and arrange inspections where appropriate in conjunction with the Health and Safety Supervisor.

The Experience We Require From You:

• Experience of large-scale West-End and touring musical productions from a logistical point of view.
• Clear, confident communication and decision-making are essential.
• Transparent and open approach, be able to work well under pressure, enjoy leading from the front, and by example.
• Knowledge of all areas of theatre construction for scenery, lights, sound, performer flying, special effects and related understanding of H&S legislation such as LOLER, PUWER and WAH.
• Computer literacy enabling the effective use of software, including CAD.
• Production or Technical Management experience in a role within a complex organisation.
• High level of interpersonal skill with an effective and flexible interpersonal style to ensure influence and credibility with senior managers, cast, crew and orchestra members and trade unions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to work with, provide advice to, train, and promote technical excellence to cast, crew and orchestra members at all levels.

Additional Information

This is an office-based role. 4 days working in the Holborn office with 1 day working from home.

Weekend and evening work is integral.

Periodic travel may be required to evaluate other Disney productions.

Please include a covering letter with your CV.

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided the necessary accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive all benefits of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.