Royal Court Theatre
Sloane Square, London, SW1W 9AS
Admin 020 7565 5050
royalcourttheatre.com
info@royalcourttheatre.com
The Jerwood Theatres at the Royal Court Theatre
The English Stage Company Limited at the Royal Court Theatre
Registered in England & Wales company number 539332
Registered charity number 231242 VAT number 238 9311 47
The Royal Court is the writers’ theatre. It is the leading force in World theatre for vigorously cultivating writers –
undiscovered, new and established. Through the writers we are at the forefront of creating restless, alert, provocative
theatre about now. We seek stories from everywhere and create theatre for everyone and we see our audience as one of
our chief collaborators.
Applications are invited for the post of: HEAD OF PRODUCTION
Responsible to: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
The Royal Court is the home of the English Stage Company Limited (ESC) and is the UK’s leading theatre
dedicated to new writing.
Up to 16 plays a year are staged between two theatre spaces (the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs and the
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs) at the Royal Court’s home on Sloane Square. Over 100,000 people visit the Royal
Court every year and over 100,000 more see our work elsewhere, including transfers to the West End and
New York, National and International touring, London residencies in Tottenham and Pimlico, and online.
A significant amount of play development activity takes place year-round. This work aims to find and nurture
the most talented new writers and develop the highest quality plays, for which the Royal Court is internationally
renowned. There is an ongoing programme of writers’ attachments, readings, workshops and playwriting
groups.
The Royal Court Theatre also has two commercial subsidiaries, Royal Court Theatre Productions Ltd (RCTP),
which facilitates the transfer of Royal Court productions to the West End and ESC Catering Limited set up to
run the catering operation at the theatre.
MAIN PURPOSE:
The Head of Production supports the Artistic Director and Executive Producer in the delivery of the Royal
Court’s artistic programme. The role leads and contributes to the integrity of the vision, ensuring the highest
possible production values at all times.
The post holder will take overall responsibility for the technical aspects of all Royal Court productions and related
activities including West End transfers, local, national and international tours as well as play development
workshops, education activities, overseeing digital streaming and one off events.
The Head of Production is a senior member of staff and forms part of the Senior Management Team alongside
the Artistic Director, Executive Producer, Finance Director and General Manager. The role provides dynamic
leadership for the Production Department which consists of Stage, Lighting, Sound and Costume teams (currently
18 full time staff in total).
The post holder, in collaboration with the Theatre Manager and Caretaker, will oversee the efficient day to day
operation, management, maintenance and development of all aspects of the fabric, plant, fixtures, fittings and
technical aspects of the English Stage Company’s buildings and storage facilities.
The Head of Production is responsible for promoting and ensuring the highest level of health and safety within
the relevant areas, working with the Theatre and General Managers to develop policy and best practice
throughout the building.
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PRODUCTIONS
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To ensure that all activities of the production department are carried out in a manner that satisfies the
creative requirements of the Artistic Director within agreed budgets, making effective use of the
available physical, financial and human resources
Assess the requirements of each Royal Court production, advise on the feasibility and likely resource
requirements and feed information back to the Creative and Executive Management teams
Support and advise all writers and directors and set, costume, lighting and sound designers. Participate
with all parties in the planning and realisation of the production
Responsibility for agreeing with the Finance Director all production budgets, building maintenance and
technical equipment budgets and for monitoring and controlling expenditure in accordance with agreed
financial procedures.
Set up regular meetings with the creative teams including an initial parameters meeting to include relevant
theatre personnel and lead the production meetings during rehearsals and technical periods.
Carry out and oversee the timely production of risk assessments for each production prior to any
technical rehearsals and take overall responsibility for risk assessments within the department
Be responsible for liaising with statutory bodies, including the local authority, with regard to Health and
Safety
Ensure specific quotations and technical information are obtained for all productions in conjunction with
technical Heads of Department.
Ensure all production related work is safe and complies with current licensing, fire, building and health
and safety legislation
Be available for call-out outside normal opening hours during production periods and in emergency
situations
Liaise between the English Stage Company and all visiting Companies so they are made to feel welcome
in the building and receive the highest level of technical support
Manage our shows and interests at other venues, as required.
Manage freelance Production Managers and other staff who are tasked with delivering shows for English
Stage Company both at the Royal Court and beyond.
BUILDING AND FACILITIES
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Oversee the maintenance contracts for the building, tendering periodically as required by monitoring
performance and effectiveness closely
Attend and contribute to the quarterly Health and Safety committee meetings.
Setting budgets for the various areas of the building with the Finance Director and monitoring these
closely, reporting any areas of concern as they arise
Ensure PAT testing takes place building wide in conjunction with Head of Lighting
Work with and advise the Theatre Manager on front of house building contracts and issues
Responsibility for all on and off site storage
Advise on medium and long term building requirements which may need substantial investment and allow
a reasonable lead in time for any fundraising requirement
Participate in the monthly company Building Issues meetings
Work closely with the Theatre Manager on the development, implementation and review of the
company’s Health and Safety policy, particularly with reference to technical areas, and promote a positive
health and safety culture within the organisation at all times.
STAFFING and SENIOR MANAGEMENT
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Line manage, advise and support the senior Production Team colleagues and Production Managers and
take responsibility through delegation, for the day to day welfare and management of all technical staff.
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Recruit and line manage the technical Heads of Department, taking overall responsibility for all
departmental recruitment
Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all technical staff and those that have dealings with the department by
complying with statutory and company health and safety regulations
Oversee the planning of technical staff requirements in order to deliver a timely schedule of productions
on and off site, including internal events, in the most cost effective manner
Assess the training needs of members of the technical department with the Heads of Departments and
within budgetary constraints make provision for the professional development of staff
Responsibility for all personnel matters in the Department including disciplinary matters, authorising
timesheets, overtime and holidays as necessary
Logging sickness absence on the company’s HR system (Simply Personnel), monitoring this and addressing
any related issues.
Carry out annual appraisals for all technical Heads of Department and ensure these are performed for all
staff in the department
Attend fortnightly Management and Senior Management meetings, contribute to all policy and planning
strategies and communicate any relevant management decisions to the technical team on a regular basis
Have a strong working knowledge of union agreements for all the technical staff, stage managers and
actors in order to negotiate rates as required. Consider these agreements and the possibility of a House
agreement continually, so as to ensure the most appropriate agreement prevails for the staff and
organisation
Ensure that the company’s equal opportunities policy is adhered to in the employment of all staff
SUSTAINABILITY
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Leading, with the General Manager, on the Royal Court’s Sustainability Policy and the implementation of
the Sustainability Action Plan, ensuring we continue to work sustainably and strive to reduce energy
consumption throughout the building
Responsibility for ensuring that the Production Department remains committed to sustainable practices
Prominent involvement in industry wide and local initiatives around sustainability, including those
introduced by ACE, Julie’s Bicycle and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Work with the General Manager and Finance team to monitor the theatre’s environmental impact and
upload data through the Industry Green Production tool and regularly review the Action Plan
This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required by the Head of Production and the post
holder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the senior nature of the post as agreed with
the Artistic Director
PERSON SPECIFICATION
 A minimum of five year’s professional production experience at a world class level
 Experience of touring nationally and internationally
 Track record of delivering productions to the required standard, within budget and to agreed timescales
 Extensive knowledge of all aspects of technical procedures and practical production skills.
 Ability to prioritise a complex workload
 Ability to negotiate and communicate effectively (in writing and verbally) at all levels both internally and
externally
 Health and Safety experience and a good knowledge of its practical application to a technical
department
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Understanding the statutory compliance requirements for both Health and Safety and Building
Maintenance
Experience of working as part of senior management team
Previous staff management skills including appraisals and managing disciplinary issues
Experience of managing Continuous Professional Development across a team
Good working knowledge of building services and systems
Positive, flexible approach with a willingness and ability to work long hours when required.
Excellent organisational skills
Excellent IT skills and CAD experience
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
Title of post:
Head of Production
Hours:
Standard 40 hours per week. Additional hours, evening and week end work will be
required during production weeks.
Salary:
£48,000 per annum.
Holiday entitlement:
20 days per year, plus 8 days for statutory holidays.
Rising to 25 days per year, plus 8 days for statutory holidays after 2 year’s service
Contract:
Full time. Permanent, subject to 6 month probationary period.
Notice period:
3 months
Pension:
The Royal Court operates a contributory company pension scheme for all permanent
employees. The company contribution is capped at 5% of basic salary. The employee is
free to contribute at any level.
We also operate an alternative workplace pension scheme.
Details of both schemes will be available at point of contract.
Other Benefits:
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Complimentary tickets for preview performances, subject to availability and the Royal
Court’s staff ticket policy.
Interest free season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, free life assurance, subsidised
exercise classes.
Discount on meals and drinks in the Royal Courts bar and Kitchen.
Discount on all purchases in the theatre’s Bookshop, subject to discount policy.
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Application Procedures:
Please note that only applications submitted on the Royal Court’s standard Application Form can be considered,
CVs are not accepted. Application Forms can be downloaded from: http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/jobs.asp
Once the Application and Equal Opportunities Forms are completed please return, by the closing date below,
to:
Email:
recruitment@royalcourttheatre.com
By post:
Recruitment, English Stage Company, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London, SW1 8AS
Closing date for applications: 6pm Friday 8 May 2015
The Royal Court is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer and encourages applications from
minority ethnic and disabled groups, as they are under-represented amongst are staff.
The English Stage Company (no. 231242) is a publicly funded registered charity.
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