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. 1 PRODUCTIONS 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 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 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. 2 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 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 3 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: 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. 4 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. 5