Role: Production Manager – External Venues
Scope: Responsible for production management of all external venues used as part of the
Festival - excluding outdoor programme.
Reporting to: Head of Production
Working with: Artistic Director, CEO, Producers, Festival Finance Officer, Programming
Coordinators, Freelance Creative and Producing Teams, Production staff, Contractors,
Volunteers, Visitor Services staff, Front of House staff and External venue staff.
Responsible for: All production elements including staff in off-site venues (technical staff,
stewards, volunteers, visiting companies, contractors where applicable)
Brief:
Budget
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To cost and budget for all elements of production for the events as accurately as
possible.
To maintain, update, manage and adhere to the budget, ensuring full discussion of any
requested alterations and that authorisation is sought and confirmed before
amendments made or agreed to. To be accountable for production aspects of the budget
for all external venue events– in liaison with budget holders and Producers.
Ensuring effective financial management including the consistent following of financial
procedures and provision of budgetary information when required.
To ensure best value of all goods and services secured on behalf of the Festival. To
arrange technical equipment hires and services. To adhere to rigorous procurement
procedures.
Production Management
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To production manage all events that take place in external, off-site venues for Brighton
Festival 2015.
To draw up plans where necessary to communicate to visiting companies where
otherwise information would not be available (especially for non-traditional off-site
venues).
To coordinate securing venues/sites where necessary and (with Outdoor Production
Manager where necessary) liaise on infrastructure requirements.
To advance plans with companies and artists to fully understand what resources the
pieces require, cost accordingly and arrange.
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To delegate where necessary and to support and steer the Production Coordinators,
Artist Liaison representative, volunteers, etc. as required.
To liaise with the Director of Operations regarding the confirmation of insurance
arrangements at all external venues and for all companies, contractors or staff working
at such venues.
To negotiate and get best value when working within the terms of national union
agreements, in particular TMA BECTU, Equity & Musicians’ Union where relevant
dealing with Theatre Royal Brighton and the scheduling of music rehearsals.
To schedule and managing pre-production timelines and production schedules to
maximise efficiency and minimise staff costs; also overseeing the recruitment and
management of casual production crew for this period.
To take responsibility for quality control and uphold extremely high production values
throughout the Festival events for which the post responsible.
To ensure that technical staff are appropriately trained and briefed in consultation with
the BDFL Head of Production.
To structure an appropriate technical staff team to work at external venues and schedule
their time in the most effective manner; also to be the management first point of contact
in respect of any discussions or negotiations regarding pay and conditions for the
technical staff if necessary.
To realise the Festival events for which you are responsible within the agreed budget
parameters, agreed timescale and available resources.
To manage all production elements and events in external venues – liaising with VS/FoH
personnel where necessary.
Communication
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To be available to support, advise and liaise with Producers, BDFL Production team,
LAP staff and the Festival Outdoor Events Production Manager where necessary.
To advise on necessity of additional event management staff for specific projects and
assist in appropriate recruitment as required.
To attend and sometimes lead on regular Festival meetings and other meetings where
necessary.
To attend Outdoor Roundtable Meetings chaired by the Outdoor PM when required.
To work toward the Artistic Planning Team being the driver and main communication
hub of the Festival out to the rest of the organisation.
To utilise Artifax and other communication tools as necessary.
Health and Safety
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To be responsible for collating risk assessments (and more detailed specific Health &
Safety information where required) from visiting companies and act upon the information
supplied where necessary.
To produce event-related Risk Assessments on behalf of BDBF for events in off-site
venues and to liaise with Event Management/ FoH staff on Venue Risk Assessments.
To communicate with Producers on all issues relating to legislation, licensing, health &
safety issues affecting the productions.
To ensure external venues are safe for use by public, staff and artists.
To ensure at all times a safe working environment at external venues and compliance
with Health & Safety and licensing regulations, including liaison with relevant authorities.
Other
• To contribute to FEU, visa, flight and accommodation booking spreadsheets and ensure
that the most up to date information possible is available for those delivering such
administrative tasks.
• To contribute to the contracting process as necessary.
• Any other duties required commensurate with the scope of the engagement. Duties
could extend to stage managing events if necessary and will include producing skills
from time to time.
• To contribute to the brochure proofing process as necessary.
Essential Criteria
• Industry experience, within a similar role, within a similar environment
• Must have own Public Liability Insurance
• Experience of professional stage machinery/ electrics/sound/lighting communications and
audio visual techniques.
• Proven ability to co-ordinate production aspects of a wide range of live events effectively
• Proven ability to deliver a high level of customer service to both internal and external
customers. The ability to inspire confidence in users of the venues
• Experience of budget management and creation, and an understanding of issues relating to
financial planning and control
• Can evidence strong time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines
• Excellent all round communication skills with good literary, numeracy, organisational and
office skills.
• Significant knowledge of Health and Safety and Licensing Regulations.
• Self motivated, with an enthusiastic and flexible approach to their work
• Ability to draw, read and interpret CAD drawings
• Current driving licence.
Desirable Criteria
• Local venue Knowledge
• Experience of using Artifax
• Lighting design experience
• Relevant electrical qualification.
• Understanding of and empathy with the aims of BD&BF,
• A broad appreciation of most art forms
• A working knowledge of a foreign language
Work Schedule: December to March – 3 days per week
March – April – 5 days per week
May Festival – 6-7 days per week
June – 5 days per week (until such time as all returns made and paperwork
completed including debrief)
You will be required to ensure a flexible approach to your working, including
the ability to work unsocial hours.
Fee:
Up to £10,000