HEAD OF LIGHTING
INTRODUCTION
The Lyric Hammersmith is one of the UK’s leading producing theatres. Over its 125 year history
it has been responsible for creating some of the UK’s most ground-breaking and acclaimed
theatrical productions. At the same time it has gained a national reputation for its work with
children and young people. The Lyric’s dual commitment to producing the highest quality
contemporary theatre, alongside nurturing the creativity of young people is what makes it
unique within the theatre ecology of the UK. It has one of the youngest audiences of any
theatre in the country and is a place where some of the UK’s finest actors and theatre-makers
work side-by-side with some of the most diverse and disadvantaged young people in London.
The cross-fertilisation of these two is what makes the Lyric Hammersmith so exciting and so
distinctive. It is a local theatre rooted in its community with a national and international
reputation for the quality and innovation of its artistic work.
OUR MISSION
We aim to produce work that is provoking, entertaining, popular, eclectic, messy, contradictory
and diverse.
We strive to be at the heart of our community as well as being internationally recognised.
We work with the best theatre artists around as well as encouraging the next generation.
We want to lurch wildly between high art and populism – hopefully achieving both at the same
time.
Beautiful theatre, cheap tickets, environmentally friendly. Hammersmith and proud!
THE LYRIC: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
The Lyric is located in central Hammersmith in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham,
two minutes from Hammersmith tube and bus stations.
The theatre has had an extraordinary history. It was designed by the world-renowned Victorian
theatre architect, Frank Matcham, and originally opened in 1895 on a different site from the
one it stands on today. In 1972, the original building was scheduled for demolition to make way
for a new shopping and housing complex. There was a huge public outcry and, at the final hour,
the local council saved the theatre by instructing that the Lyric could only be pulled down by
the developers if Matcham’s exquisite plasterwork was preserved and recreated in a new
theatre above the Kings Mall Shopping Centre. The new Lyric Hammersmith was officially
opened in 1979 by the Queen. The Matcham plasterwork had been painstakingly reconstructed
in a new Victorian-style 550 seat auditorium and a modern black-box 110 seat studio was added
to the building at the same time.
In 2004, the Lyric was redeveloped again with funding from the National Lottery and a public
fundraising appeal. The £2m project was designed by the internationally acclaimed architect,
Rick Mather. The small entrance of the theatre was relocated from King Street to Lyric Square
and a box office, street-level café, rehearsal room and education space were included within a
new extension to the building.
In April 2015 the theatre entered a new and exciting phase of its history. After nearly a decade
of planning, fundraising and building, we opened the doors to a new Lyric which includes a
major extension to the West and directly adjacent to the existing theatre called the Reuben
Foundation Wing. Working again with Rick Mather Architects, externally the building has been
re-rendered and a nine metre high neon sculpture designed by the artist David Batchelor which
is based on plasterwork detail from the Victorian auditorium has been installed on the East
Elevation. Internally the existing theatre has been refurbished including the redesign of the
theatre’s café and bar (which is now run by the catering franchise Peyton & Byrne),
refurbishment of the toilets and installation of new environmentally friendly heating and
lighting systems.
The Reuben Foundation Wing has added two floors of new facilities aimed at expanding the
Lyric’s work with young people, emerging and professional artists. It includes:
 A new rehearsal space the size of the main house stage (including wing space) and
stage-management office
 A dance studio with a sprung floor and full height mirrors
 A film and TV studio and editing suite equipped with a ‘green wall’ and professional
camera and editing equipment
 A 50 seat screening cinema
 A recording studio and a suite of small- and medium-sized music practice rooms
 A digital play space
 A sensory space for children with disabilities
 New and expanded set and wardrobe workshops
 New staff offices
The Lyric has proven its commitment to environmental sustainability by becoming the first
theatre venue in the UK to be awarded three stars under the Julie’s Bicycle Industry Green
Certification Scheme back in 2012. The commitment has been taken through into the new
building and we are confident of being awarded a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ – the
Government’s kitemark for sustainability of new and refurbished buildings.
LYRIC GOVERNANCE, STAFFING AND FINANCES
The Lyric is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. As such, we are overseen
by a non-executive Board of Directors which is chaired by Kevin McGrath. For the last six years
the Board has delegated day to day management of the theatre to its Executive Team: Jessica
Hepburn (Executive Director and joint CEO): Sean Holmes (Artistic Director and Joint CEO) and
Kim Grant (Director of Finance, Administration and Operations and Company Secretary). This
team has delivered the redeveloped building; artistic success on both of our stages and through
our work with partners and young people, and ensured the financial stability of the Lyric. Both
Jessica and Kim are standing down in 2015 and Sean and the Board are currently recruiting for a
new Executive Director.
We have a talented and dedicated team of 44 full and part-time staff.
The Lyric aims to create a programme of work that is artistically adventurous and ambitious but
also financially sensible and sustainable. We have an annual turnover of approximately £4m and
our work is funded through four main sources: grant income from Arts Council England and the
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham; box office income; fundraising income from trusts,
businesses, individuals and events; and other earned income which includes our catering
franchise and front of house sales.
HEAD OF LIGHTING
Thank you for your interest in the post of Head of Lighting at the Lyric Hammersmith. Please
find a job description and application form enclosed.
To apply for the post, please:
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Complete this application form in type or black ink.
Write a covering letter (no longer than two sides of A4) explaining why you are
interested in this role and how your experience and skills match the person
specification.
Return the form and cover letter to Andrew Fletcher, Head of Administration, Lyric
Hammersmith, Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0QL or email to
lyricjobs@lyric.co.uk.
Do not submit CVs, as these are not accepted.
The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Wednesday 29 July 2015 at 12 noon.
We look forward to receiving your application and thank you for your interest in the Lyric
Hammersmith.
GUIDANCE
Please read the person specification and job description carefully before starting your
application and ensure that you meet all the essential criteria. Only relevant information will
be considered when shortlisting applicants for interview. Your application will be kept on file
for a maximum of 12 months and then destroyed.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Lyric values and promotes diversity and is committed to equality and opportunity for all.
All employees are required to comply with and actively promote our Equality policy, and no job
applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability,
gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity, race, religious
belief, gender, sexual orientation, class or socio-economic background, trade union activity or
political activity or opinion.
We may use positive action, in cases where candidates are equally qualified, to increase the
employment of under-represented groups at the Lyric.
ACCESS
If you would like to submit your application form and covering letter in another format we
would be happy to accommodate this. Please contact the Administration department on 020
8741 6822 or lyricjobs@lyric.co.uk to discuss a suitable alternative.
The Lyric Hammersmith has made a commitment that all disabled applicants who meet the
essential criteria for this job will be invited to interview. Please complete the relevant section
on the application on the application form to help us with this. Please also mark on the form if
you have any access requirements for interview, or contact the Administration team to discuss.
APPOINTMENTS
In line with the Lyric’s Safeguarding policy, any appointment will be made subject to a
satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure. Disclosure
information will be treated in the strictest confidence and shall only be seen by those who
need to see it as part of the recruitment process. Only relevant information will be taken
into account. The Lyric will not discriminate unfairly against any convictions or other
information revealed.
All appointments are made subject to satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to
work in the UK.
JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE POST OF HEAD OF LIGHTING
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Head of Production
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Deputy Head of Lighting
Studio and Events Technical Manager
Casual LX staff
SALARY:
£32,000 per annum
CONTRACT:
Permanent Full Time
HOURS:
The postholder will be expected to fulfil the hours
required to do the job, including evening and weekend
work, but is not expected to work more than an
average of 48 hours per week across the year in line
with the Working Time Regulations. This position will
include evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays work.
HOLIDAY:
20 days per annum, with an additional day added for
each year of service up to a maximum of 25 days
NOTICE PERIOD:
One week during probationary period, and two months
thereafter
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
6 months
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
This role is responsible for leading the Lighting department, working with the Lyric’s
creative teams and other technical departments to ensure that the Lyric’s work is
presented to the highest possible production values. As well as working on our Main House
and Studio productions, the postholder will support the young people’s programmes taking
place in our new rehearsal and practice rooms, dance studio, film and TV studio, cinema,
digital playspace, sensory space and recording studio in the Reuben Foundation Wing. The
Head of Lighting also has responsibility for overseeing the maintenance of electrical
equipment in all areas of the building.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES
Lyric productions, co-productions, visiting productions
 To lead the Lighting department to undertake agreed projects in the most efficient
and cost-effective way.
 To organise and lead all get-ins, fit-ups, production periods, performances and getouts for all productions at the Lyric, and be present for dress rehearsals, previews
and press nights as necessary for both the Main House and Studio.
 To provide technical support in a helpful and efficient manner and liaise with other
technical departments.
 To share the operation of shows in both theatres with other members of the
department.
 To assist the Head of Production in planning and preparation for all productions. To
attend Production meetings and prepare fully for production periods, including
overseeing the purchase, hire and loan of special equipment and materials.
 To liaise closely with the Lyric’s stage management team during rehearsal periods
and performances.
 To keep the Head of Production fully informed on the work of the Lighting
department and set and agree schedules and deadlines for this work.
Young people’s programmes
 To provide technical support to the Lyric’s young people’s programmes taking place
in the Lyric’s rehearsal and practice rooms, dance studio, Film and TV Studio and
cinema.
Team management
 To manage the Deputy Head of Lighting, the Studio and Events Technical Manager
plus any casual staff and, in consultation with the Head of Production, discuss and
agree calls for work, holiday arrangements, sickness cover etc.
 To ensure that Lighting department staff meet the requirements of the Lyric’s house
agreement and annualised hours.
 To keep Lighting department staff fully informed on planned work, schedules and
deadlines and contribute to the development of Lyric policy in all areas.
Maintenance and equipment
 To ensure, in consultation with the Head of Production, proper maintenance of
relevant equipment in all spaces across the Lyric’s building.
 To plan, cost and implement any agreed improvements to stock items of equipment.
 To ensure efficient organisation of relevant backstage, storage areas and outside
stores and ensure that all these areas are kept clean and tidy.
 To be responsible for stocks of lamps (backstage, front of house and offices),
electrics and sound spares and tools, maintaining adequate stocks in a secure and
tidy manner.
Health and safety
 To be responsible for health and safety in all relevant areas and ensure that all staff
comply with health and safety requirements and carry out their work in a
responsible manner, employing good working practices at all times.
 To ensure that any requirements of the London Borough of Hammersmith and
Fulham and other licensing authorities are fully complied with.
 To be a member of the Health and Safety Committee and to attend monthly
meetings.
Green
 To be an active member of the Lyric’s Green Team, attending monthly meetings.

To lead on the implementation of carbon reduction measures in the Lighting
department, working towards the Lyric’s key business aim ‘to reduce the theatre’s
long term impact on the environment and become a model of best practice for other
organisations’.
Building maintenance
 To liaise with the Director of Finance, Administration and Operations over the
maintenance of all electrical equipment in all areas of the building.
 To plan, cost, supervise and carry out any agreed work in Front of House areas.
 Arrange and supervise contractors to carry out any work as agreed with the Head of
Production or Director of Finance, Administration and Operations.
Touring
 To work in other venues and on tour as required and to liaise with resident staff at
other venues.
General
 To undertake any other work as agreed with the Head of Production as appropriate
for the position.
This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of the Head of Lighting. It
is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive and may be reviewed with the post holder and
line manager as required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
 Relevant professional experience.
 Excellent organisational skills.
 Thorough knowledge of current lighting technology.
 A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
 Able to multi-task, work calmly under pressure and meet tight deadlines under
pressure.
 Ability to demonstrate initiative and adaptability.
 Excellent verbal communication skills.
 A good team leader.
 Knowledge of current health and safety guidelines.
 Ability to handle budgets.
Desirable
 Experience of working with sound and video.
 Current first aid certificate.
 17th Edition Wiring Regulations qualification.
Application Form
The Lyric Hammersmith is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications
from everyone.
Post applied
for:
Your details
Name
Address
Telephone
Email
Head of Lighting
Employment and Work Experience
Starting with the most recent and working backwards chronologically, give details of your
previous work experience and employment.
Dates of employment:
Name of Employer
Role title and brief
description of duties
What is your current or most recent salary?
If you were offered the job when would you be available to start?
Do you require a work permit to work in the United Kingdom?
If so, do you currently own a valid work permit?
Formal Education and qualifications
Starting with the most recent and working backwards chronologically, please give details of
your educational attainment and qualifications.
Dates attended:
School, college, university
etc
Qualifications obtained
Other training
Starting with the most recent and working backwards chronologically, please give details of
any other training courses you have attended.
Dates attended:
Training Provider
Course title
Computer based skills
Please list any computer software you have used and your skill level.
References
Please give details of two people who we may contact for a reference. These referees
should have knowledge of you in a working environment, either paid or unpaid, and one
should be your current or last employer.
Reference 1
Name:
Job Title:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
May we contact this person without your prior
agreement?
In what context do you know this reference?
Reference 2
Name:
Job Title:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
May we contact this person without your prior
agreement?
In what context do you know this reference?
Interview arrangements
The Lyric Hammersmith has made a commitment that all disabled applicants who
meet the minimum criteria for this job (the Essential section of the Person
Specification) will be invited to interview. Please let us know:
Are you a disabled person?
Do you require any special arrangements to be made to enable you to attend an
interview? If so, please specify below.
If you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail, please contact the
Administration department on 020 8741 6822 or lyricjobs@lyric.co.uk
Checklist
Please ensure you have included:
Enclosed
Completed application form
Cover letter explaining why you are interested in this role and how your
experience and skills match the Person Specification
Equal Opportunities Monitoring form
Statement
I can confirm that
Yes
No
The information given on this form is correct and complete
I possess all the qualifications which I claim to hold
I understand that all appointments are subject to satisfactory
references, proof of eligibility to work in the UK, and a satisfactory
enhanced DBS disclosure
I have never been convicted of an offence relating to children or young
people and have never been the subject of disciplinary procedures or
been asked to leave employment or voluntary activity due to
inappropriate behaviour towards a child or young person. If no, please
specify any convictions, spent or unspent below (*)
I understand that submitting false information or withholding relevant
information on this form may lead to my application being rejected or,
if I am appointed, will constitute grounds for dismissal
Please note that the Lyric treats all applicants for employment fairly and actively promotes
equality of opportunity and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates. Having
a criminal record will not necessarily bar people from working with the Lyric. The Lyric will
always consider the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of any
offences.
*You are advised that under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (NI Order)
(1974) (Exceptions Order 1975 as amended by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
(Exceptions) (Amendments) Order 1986 you should declare all convictions, including spent
convictions. Please list any convictions you have relating to children or young people on a
separate sheet.
Application forms from unsuccessful applicants will be kept on file for twelve months
before being destroyed.
I confirm that the above information given by me is correct and that I consent to my
personal data being processed and kept for the purpose described above in accordance with
the Data Protection Act 1998
Name…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Signature……………………………………………………………………………………………
Date……………………………………………………………………………………………………
LYRIC HAMMERSMITH - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING FORM
The completion of Equal Opportunities monitoring forms is optional and anonymous. This
information is purely for monitoring purposes and will not form any part of the selection
process.
All application forms are read anonymously and this equal opportunities monitoring form
will be removed from your application before it is read by a member of the shortlisting
panel.
Post applied for: Head of Lighting
How would you describe your ethnic origin?
I am:
White
Black
Asian
Chinese
Mixed
Other (please specify below)
Are you?
Female
Male
Do you consider yourself disabled?
Yes
No
What is your date of birth? ……………………………………………...............................
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