Technical Production Manager

The Big Idea; Blenheim; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitehaven Theatre Marlborough is seeking a Technical Production Manager to provide hands-on technical leadership across two venues and oversee operations, working with producers, promoters, hirers and touring crews.

You will lead the technical team, plan staffing and budgets, and ensure safe, compliant delivery of performances and events in Blenheim.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in relevant theatre/production discipline.
• Experience with live events and venues.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety in production environments.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate technical delivery of performances, events and venue hires from advance through pack-out.
• Review riders and event requirements to identify equipment, staffing and scheduling needs.
• Lead and support technical staff, casual crew and contractors.
• Provide hands-on technical support across lighting, audio, AV, staging and rigging.
• Liaise with touring companies, producers, clients and suppliers to develop practical solutions.
• Oversee safe installation, operation and removal of equipment.
• Maintain equipment, systems, inventories and maintenance schedules.
• Support budgeting, equipment purchasing, repairs and capital planning.
• Ensure operational compliance with venue procedures and safety requirements.
• Develop efficient systems and technical standards across both venues.

Skills

Lighting

Audio

AV

Staging

Rigging

Organisation

Communication

Health & Safety

Team leadership

Education

Diploma in Performing Arts, Entertainment Technology, Theatre Production, Live Event Production, Event Management

Degree in technical theatre or related field

Job description

Whitehaven Theatre Marlborough (formerly ASB Theatre) is Marlborough's premier venue for events and performances. Opened in 2016, this modern facility boasts a 700-seat auditorium, a scenic function room, a flexible black box theatre, and an open foyer that connects all three spaces. From intimate gatherings to large-scale events, it accommodates a wide array of functions including productions, conferences, cocktails, dinners, cultural performances, and trade exhibitions.

Operated by Marlborough Civic Theatre Trust, the Trust also operates the Marlborough Events Centre on behalf of the Marlborough District Council. The two venues form an integrated events precinct, ensuring a smooth flow of activities for major events.

Whitehaven Theatre Marlborough offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of Marlborough, all under one roof.

About the role

Working closely with the CEO andwider venue team, the Technical Production Manager will provide hands-ontechnical leadership and oversee technical operations across both venues,working with producers, promoters, event organisers, hirers, touring crews,contractors and community groups to understand their requirements and ensureevents are planned, staffed, resourced and safely delivered. You will also leadand support the technical team, fostering a professional, collaborative andsolutions-focused working environment.

Key responsibilities

• Planning and coordinating technical delivery ofperformances, events and venue hires from advance through pack-out
• Reviewing technical riders, plans and eventrequirements to identify equipment, staffing and scheduling needs
• Leading, scheduling and supporting technicalstaff, casual crew and contractors
• Providing hands-on technical support acrosslighting, audio, AV, staging, rigging and related production systems
• Liaising with touring companies, producers,clients and suppliers to develop practical technical solutions
• Overseeing the safe installation, operation andremoval of technical equipment
• Maintaining technical equipment, systems,inventories and maintenance schedules
• Supporting technical budgeting, equipmentpurchasing, repairs and longer-term capital planning
• Ensuring technical operations comply with venueprocedures and relevant health and safety requirements
• Supporting the development of efficient systems,processes and technical standards across both venues

About you

We are looking for someone withsubstantial experience in theatre, live events, performing arts venues or asimilar technical production environment.

You will bring:

• Strong practical knowledge of lighting, audio,AV, staging and rigging
• Experience planning and delivering productionsor events from advance through completion
• Experience leading or coordinating technicalteams, crew and contractors
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple productions and competing priorities
• A practical understanding of health and safetyin technical production environments
• Excellent communication skills and confidenceworking with clients, touring personnel and other stakeholders
• A calm, adaptable and solutions-focused approachin a live event environment
• The ability to work independently andcollaboratively as part of a wider venue team

Above all, we are looking forsomeone who takes pride in delivering great events, supports the people aroundthem and understands that successful technical production is as much aboutcommunication, preparation and teamwork as it is about equipment.

This is a permanent, full-timeposition based in Blenheim, with evening and weekend work according to thevenue’s event programme.

About the role

Working closely with the CEO andwider venue team, the Technical Production Manager will provide hands-ontechnical leadership and oversee technical operations across both venues,working with producers, promoters, event organisers, hirers, touring crews,contractors and community groups to understand their requirements and ensureevents are planned, staffed, resourced and safely delivered. You will also leadand support the technical team, fostering a professional, collaborative andsolutions-focused working environment.

Key responsibilities

• Planning and coordinating technical delivery ofperformances, events and venue hires from advance through pack-out
• Reviewing technical riders, plans and eventrequirements to identify equipment, staffing and scheduling needs
• Leading, scheduling and supporting technicalstaff, casual crew and contractors
• Providing hands-on technical support acrosslighting, audio, AV, staging, rigging and related production systems
• Liaising with touring companies, producers,clients and suppliers to develop practical technical solutions
• Overseeing the safe installation, operation andremoval of technical equipment
• Maintaining technical equipment, systems,inventories and maintenance schedules
• Supporting technical budgeting, equipmentpurchasing, repairs and longer-term capital planning
• Ensuring technical operations comply with venueprocedures and relevant health and safety requirements
• Supporting the development of efficient systems,processes and technical standards across both venues

About you

We are looking for someone withsubstantial experience in theatre, live events, performing arts venues or asimilar technical production environment.

You will bring:

• Strong practical knowledge of lighting, audio,AV, staging and rigging
• Experience planning and delivering productionsor events from advance through completion
• Experience leading or coordinating technicalteams, crew and contractors
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple productions and competing priorities
• A practical understanding of health and safetyin technical production environments
• Excellent communication skills and confidenceworking with clients, touring personnel and other stakeholders
• A calm, adaptable and solutions-focused approachin a live event environment
• The ability to work independently andcollaboratively as part of a wider venue team

Above all, we are looking forsomeone who takes pride in delivering great events, supports the people aroundthem and understands that successful technical production is as much aboutcommunication, preparation and teamwork as it is about equipment.

This is a permanent, full-timeposition based in Blenheim, with evening and weekend work according to thevenue’s event programme.

Formal Qualifications,Training and Experience Minimum Qualification

Diploma in Performing Arts, Entertainment Technology, Theatre Production, LiveEvent Production, Event Management, or other related discipline.

Desired Qualification

Degree level qualification in technical theatre, lighting, audio engineering,rigging, venue management, project management, or other related technicaldiscipline.