TECHNICAL MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION - Introduction is one of the flagship arts organisations for the East of England. We are one of the most significant arts festivals in the UK with a reputation for innovative and inspirational programming and commissioning. s profile has increased greatly in recent years, largely due to the success and growth of the May festival which has seen a significant increase in audience numbers, participants and ticket sales. The Festival now attracts artists of the highest calibre, is a leader in the presentation of outdoor art and works in collaboration with a wide range of national and international partners. The Festival is a destination festival and has contributed to putting Norwich and Norfolk firmly on the map as a place where people choose to live, work and visit. William Galinsky joined the Festival as its new Artistic Director in 2011. William s artistic vision will focus on national and international co-commissioning and co-production of large scale outdoor work, a more integrated community engagement and participation programme with a particular focus on children and young people and increased support for new regional talent in the creation and presentation of Outdoor Arts. NNF is the lead producer of Escalator Outdoor Arts, a collaboration between leading arts organisations in the Eastern Region. Following a successful bid to the Arts Council England National Portfolio programme last year, was selected to be one of the Arts Council s 14 national Bridge organisations from April 2012. In this additional role it has responsibility for forging strategic relationships with stakeholders and partners across the East of England to deliver a strong artistic and cultural vision for children and young people and making connections with communities, families and schools. About NNF s production department NNF is a multi-art form festival that takes place every May in Norwich. It has long-standing relationships with all the performing venues in Norwich, including St Andrew s Hall and the church of St Peter Mancroft, which is traditionally where the classical programme has taken place, and with the Theatre Royal Norwich, a No. 1 touring house, which houses NNF s contemporary music, dance and performance programme. 1
NNF does not employ year round technical staff of its own. The seasonal Technical Manager will work with independent lighting and sound contractors to realise the festival programme and book, manage and schedule crew across the festival programme. NNF employs a Production Manager with whom you will work closely to realise the festival programme. NNF also employs a seasonal Health and Safety Consultant who you will be required to liaise with to ensure that we are complying with all of our Health and Safety obligations. While remaining a presenting festival, in the last two years has become more involved in producing and coordinating its own productions, including two London 2012 events, How Like An Angel and Walking. About you You will be an experienced industry professional with a solid track record in production and technical expertise, having worked at technical manager level in festivals, theatres, concert halls, outdoors and performing arts and events contexts across the UK. Reports to: Purpose: Associate Director and Production Manager To provide technical support across a range of events and venues to ensure the successful delivery of the 2013 programme (10-26 May) and Black Watch (17-20 April). Specific Responsibilities NNF Festival Programme Provide technical liaison and support to all companies visiting the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, with particular focus on Outdoor work and the delivery of newly commissioned/newly developed productions. Provide specific support to companies who are resident at the Festival or projects that are adapting their work for the Festival, including meeting with creative teams and artists to establish their technical needs alongside the Production Manager. Input into Event Management Plans (EMPs), Health and Safety and site visits. Monitor and maintain the creative quality of all technical elements of the Production department, to ensure that performances are delivered to the highest standards. Planning and scheduling Work with the Production Manager to recruit, contract and schedule freelance crew and technical staff across the Festival to ensure that lighting, audio, AV and stage management requirements are met for all performances. Provide effective onsite management of the NNF Technical team, coordinating their work to ensure they meet the highest standards of performance. 2
Supplier negotiation and management, including researching production solutions, sourcing suppliers and subcontractors, and negotiating costs. Identify suppliers of technical packages for the principal venues and Spiegeltent, ensuring best value for money whilst maintaining high artistic ideals in support of the performance. Manage relationships with lighting, sound and other technical equipment suppliers. Financial Management Oversee the expenditure of the technical budget as directed by the Associate Director and ensure that the expenditure is appropriate and within budget and providing and maintaining appropriate systems to monitor and record expenditure. Keep Associate Director informed of any changes to budget, providing costings and seeking, where appropriate, authority for expenditure for large amounts. Work alongside the Production Manager to guarantee efficient and cost-effective resource management of all technical elements of the Production Department. Health & Safety Oversee the health and safety of NNF s team of casual technical staff Ensure staff and performers observe fire regulations, health and safety legislation and the conditions of NNF s and the venues licenses Ensure that working practices adhere to NNF s Health & Safety Policy & Procedures and with Health & Safety regulations generally. In particular, to ensure that technical aspects of production delivery are safe at all times and conform to the appropriate legislative and licensing requirements. Work with the Production Manager to ensure that all productions are risk-assessed and safe, drawing up all risk assessments, method statements where necessary and certify that all health and safety considerations are adhered to in line with UK law Maintain an awareness of any legislative or other changes to ensure that the department continues to comply with all relevant statutory and regulatory Health and Safety requirements Notify the Chief Executive and the Production Manager of any Health & Safety issues that arise ensuring that responsive remedial works are carried out. Produce and maintain Health & Safety records relevant to the department as required. 3
Compliance Carry out all duties within parameters agreed with the Associate Director and in accordance with appropriate internal and statutory procedures Adhere at all times to NNF employment policies and procedures with particular reference to Health & Safety, Child Protection and Equal Opportunities Team activities Training Work collaboratively with team members and other colleagues in order to meet organisational objectives Conduct regular appraisals of casual staff with reference to NNF s disciplinary and grievance procedures as necessary, in conjunction with the Associate Director. Undertake training as identified and agreed with the Associate Director to ensure the ongoing effective delivery of the post. Assess the training requirements of production staff (including casual staff), notifying the Associate Director of these requirements where necessary and providing in-house training wherever possible. Undertake any other duties assigned by the Associate Director, which might reasonably be deemed to be within the status of the job and appropriate to the post. 4
Person Specification In short-listing and interviewing candidates, the panel will be looking for the following: Knowledge Essential Desirable Excellent knowledge of custom and practice in the technical delivery of live arts events Knowledge of the current union and other agreements governing the employment of stage and other technicians Knowledge of H&S legislation as it applies to the delivery of live events Excellent knowledge of all technical aspects of live staged, building based and outdoor events Broad knowledge of the UK contemporary music, dance and theatre scene Knowledge of new technologies as they are applied to the performing arts Qualifications Educated to degree level or equivalent Experience Experience of being a technical manager in a multiartform festival context Experience of recruiting and managing technical crew Experience of setting and managing budgets Experience of working in a theatrical and performance environment Experience of negotiating and managing supplier contracts and relationships Skills Excellent written, verbal and numeracy skills Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to negotiate, advocate and gain the confidence and respect of external contacts The ability to be results orientated and achieve targets Excellent organisational, administrative and IT skills Accuracy and attention to detail Ability to work under pressure, to deadlines, to prioritise workload Ability to work well on own initiative and within a team Personal attributes A commitment to quality and excellence A creative problem solver A can-do attitude A commitment to equal opportunities Willing to share knowledge 5
Terms and Conditions of Employment This is a full-time fixed term position to commence as soon as possible in January 2013 and continue until the end of June 2013. Salary Annual Leave Hours of Work Place of Work Travel Notice Period Smoking Equal Opportunities 25,000 per annum pro rata Full-time entitlement for permanent staff is 28 days holiday per year in addition to bank holidays. This is pro-rated for part-time and/or shortterm contract employees. All annual leave to be taken with the prior agreement of the Associate Director. 37½ hours per week (excluding breaks). Office hours are 9.30 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday. There will be evening and weekend working in the run up to and during the Festival in May for which NNF does not make overtime payments. Time off in lieu is available for out of hours working at the Company s discretion. The place of employment will be the Festival s offices on the first and second floors of Augustine Steward House, Tombland, a grade II* listed building in central Norwich, and as required by NNF at such other places where the organisation carries on its proper business. The Festival uses a variety of venues throughout Norwich and Norfolk for performances and events. You will be required to travel throughout the region, sometimes in rural and isolated areas and to drive NNF courtesy vehicles as necessary. Travel expenses will be reimbursed on the basis of the cheapest available public transport fare or at the appropriate rate for mileage established by NNF. One month s notice in writing on either side during the fixed term. operates a no-smoking policy throughout its office premises. is striving towards a policy of equal opportunities in all its activities and employment practices. Norfolk & Norwich Festival particularly welcomes applications from disabled people and will take reasonable steps to ensure that the working environment does not prevent disabled people from taking up posts for which they are suitably qualified. 6
Application Procedure Application is by CV with an accompanying cover letter, and completion of the enclosed application form. These should be sent electronically to clare@nnfestival.org.uk or posted to: Clare Lovell Head of Operations Augustine Steward House 14 Tombland Norwich Norfolk NR3 1HF Please mark your envelope PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL, ensuring that you have used sufficient postage. The deadline for receipt of applications is 9.30am Friday 4th January 2013. No applications can be considered after the closing date. Interviews will be held on Friday 11th January 2013 in Norwich. Please inform us in your covering letter if you are unavailable on any of this date. 7