Job Title Head of Stage. The National Theatre is dedicated to making the very best theatre and sharing it with as many people as possible.

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1 Job Description Job Title Head of Stage Responsible To Technical Director Responsible For Senior Stage Department staff National Theatre Upper Ground, South Bank London SE1 9PX Tel +44(0) Fax +44(0) The National Theatre The National Theatre is dedicated to making the very best theatre and sharing it with as many people as possible. We stage up to 30 productions at our South Bank home each year, ranging from re-imagined classics such as Greek tragedy and Shakespeare to modern masterpieces and new work by contemporary writers and theatre-makers. The work we make strives to be as open, as diverse, as collaborative and as national as possible. We want to inspire artists and audiences to think in new ways, to constantly re-imagine the act of making theatre. Much of that new work is researched and developed at the NT Studio: we are committed to nurturing innovative work from new writers, directors, creative artists and performers. The National s work is also seen on tour throughout the UK and internationally, and in collaborations and co-productions with regional theatres. Popular shows transfer to the West End and occasionally to Broadway; and through the National Theatre Live programme we broadcast to 2,000 cinemas in 52 countries around the world. Our extensive Learning programme offers talks, events and workshops for people of all ages in the new Clore Learning Centre, and reaches nationwide through programmes such as Connections, our annual festival of new plays for schools and youth theatres. National Theatre: On Demand In Schools offers six acclaimed, curriculum-linked productions free to stream on demand in every secondary school in the country. Online, you ll find a rich variety of innovative digital content on every aspect of theatre. We do all we can to keep ticket prices affordable and to reach a wide audience, and use our public funding to maintain artistic risk-taking, accessibility and diversity. Whether you ve been to the National many times or are making your first visit, we hope you will be entertained, challenged or inspired. The Stage Department The National Theatre s Stage department is made up of an operational team of stage, rigging and automation techncians and a resources team of rigging specialists, mechanical and electrical engineers and stage logistics support. Operational technicians work on the three stages on the South Bank, in Theatre Square and on tour in other venues and are responsible to supervisors in each venue. Their primary responsibility is in production, and is to assit the production manager in realising the scenic and stage automation design, and operating and maintaining the set in repertoire. The supervisors oversee the theatre spaces with overall responsisbility for coordinating all activities.

2 Each theatre s stage team has recognised specialists who supervise activity and people, programming and operating automation systems, rigging equipment and scenery, and carrying out maintenance on stage engineering systems and infrastructure. Staff are deployed according to their skill set and development needs, the requirements of each production in repertoire and to respond to the varying levels of activity. A team of resources technicians procure, manage and maintain the rigging, automation and stage engineering equipment and infrastucture across the three theatres and other NT venues, acting as an internal hire shop to provide fit for purpose and fully compliant equipment. Resources technicians are responsible to the stage resources manager who also manages the capital expenditure provision for the stage department. The department also services the rigging needs for events off the main stages, and supports some of the building large scale engineering systems. Purpose of Job To provide leadership, strategy and vision for the Stage Department, ensuring it operates at the highest possible creative standards to serve the artistic aspirations of the National Theatre. Responsibilities and Duties 1. To lead and manage the Stage department at the National, taking overall responsibility for all staff and operational activity across the stage areas. 2. To be the key point of contact for production, technical, stage-managers and project producers in all matters relating to staging, automation and rigging, and providing practical solutions and advice for all production and stage requirements. 3. To provide robust creative solutions for all staging, automation and rigging requirements considering the implications of scenic design, manufacture and operation on the repertory process. 4. To oversee the scheduling and deployment of staff across the theatres and on NT projects elsewhere, analising existing operational practices, finding efficiencies and making improvements wherever possible. 5. To support the Technical Director and Head of Safety Risk Management to continue to develop and embed the NT s safety and risk management culture, ensuring staff have the required skills, knowledge and competence to carry out their duties to the highest possible standards. 6. To support and guide senior members of the department in overseeing the delivery of staging, automation and rigging, and in ensuring the department is engaged with the production process and the wider organisation. 7. To have overall responsibility for staging, automation, rigging and stage specific access equipment across the NT, ensuring that equipment and resources remain compliant, effectively maintained, replaced and enhanced to meet the creative and presentation requirements of performances and other events.

3 8. To inform and develop the capital replacement strategy, preparing capital requests for the medium and long-term. 9. To maintain the NT as a leader in theatre staging and to continually evaluate working practices. 10. To keep abreast of emerging staging, automation and rigging technology and working practices by developing collaborative links with other organisations, industry bodies and suppliers. 11. To support and contribute to the NT s apprenticeships and work experience programmes, facilitate the Learning Department s projects as necessary and in bringing on the next generation of stage technicians. 12. To have a commitment to developing the skills and competencies of all existing staff, defining pathways and supporting those who wish to participate in internal development programmes 13. To be responsible for department running budgets and to participate in setting of annual staffing budgets. 14. To actively contribute to the National s strategy and objectives on inclusion and diversity and environmental policy. 15. To collaborate closely with the Heads of Lighting and Sound and Video to ensure all activity on stage is carried out efficiently across all three theatres and to promote inter-departmental co-operation and communication to ensure the highest standards of delivery. Person Specification The post-holder should ideally have the following: 1. Significant experience of delivering technical or production management services within the theatre, entertainment or supporting sector. 2. An extensive working knowledge and understanding of theatre staging and stagecraft, equipment and techniques 3. The ability to realise creative concepts in practical terms and to take a sympathetic approach in doing so. 4. Excellent interpersonal skills, a strong collaborative ethos and the ability to build positive relationships with professionals at all levels and to build rapport and trust with staff. 5. Positive approach to people management with the ability to lead, motivate, mentor and empower people and to foster a culture of inclusion, engagement and excellence. 6. Experience of managing, monitoring and controlling the activities of professional and technical staff with an understanding of the appropriate employment legislation.

4 7. A thorough knowledge of CDM regulations and Health & Safety legislation and procedures and their implications in the workplace. 8. The ability to take a strategic overview of a range of inter-connected technical activities, and to manage complex operations across multiple teams. 9. Strong multi-tasking and organisational skills and the ability to respond flexibly and pragmatically to changing priorities under pressure. 10. Excellent financial management skills, with experience of managing substantial budgets. 11. Strong operational management skills, with a proven ability to to see long-term projects through to completion. 12. A hands-on approach to problem solving, with the ability to develop new and creative solutions and strong decision-making skills. 13. A commitment to continuous personal and professional development. Outline of Terms and Conditions Contract Type: Hours: Salary: Location: Annual Leave: Probationary Period: Notice Period: Pension: Permanent 40 per week, although additional hours may be necessary in order to fulfil the post s requirements circa 59,000 per annum paid monthly on the 15th of each month National Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX 28 days in the first year, pro rata, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service thereafter 3 months 3 months (1 month during probationary period) The National Theatre operates a Stakeholder Pension scheme with Legal & General. If you wish to become a member, you may opt to contribute 4.5%, 6% or 7.5% of basic pay and the National will make a matching contribution. The National also operates an alternative pension scheme with NEST Other Benefits Complimentary tickets for performances, subject to availability and the National s staff ticket policy Complimentary tickets for platforms, subject to availability and policy

5 Interest-free season ticket loan, cycle-scheme and childcare vouchers Staff canteen and bar Discount on meals in all of the National s bars and restaurants Discount on the books, play texts, DVDs and other items in the National s bookshop Appointment Procedure Please note that applications can only be considered if they are submitted through the National s Online Recruitment System, and returned by the closing date. To apply for this vacancy please follow the link: The closing date for the receipt of completed application forms is: 10am Tuesday 2 nd May For any queries, please contact the HR Department by ing:hr@nationaltheatre.org.uk The National Theatre is committed to being an equal opportunities employer HR Department, 2017