Head of Production

Job Summary This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the technical function at Buxton Opera House, ensuring it delivers against our ambitious vision and strategic goals. Job Description Working closely with the CEO and a range of internal and external stakeholders, you will lead a skilled technical team, ensuring the department operates efficiently, maintains the highest presentation standards, and meets all current Health and Safety requirements. As Head of Production, you will oversee the technical delivery of all home-produced work, touring shows, events,…

Job Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the technical function at Buxton Opera House, ensuring it delivers against our ambitious vision and strategic goals.

Job Description

Working closely with the CEO and a range of internal and external stakeholders, you will lead a skilled technical team, ensuring the department operates efficiently, maintains the highest presentation standards, and meets all current Health and Safety requirements.

As Head of Production, you will oversee the technical delivery of all home-produced work, touring shows, events, and Learning and Engagement projects, ensuring every aspect is delivered to the highest possible standard. You will also set the direction for the technical department, ensuring its strategy is fully aligned with the wider organisational vision.

You will play a key role in the development of capital projects, contributing technical and production expertise to wider organisational planning. Alongside this, you will take ownership of departmental and production budgets, supporting the successful delivery of a diverse and ambitious programme.

We are looking for an experienced technical theatre professional, ideally from a producing theatre environment, with a strong track record in leading teams and delivering technical and production strategies within an arts organisation.

Job Requirements

Technical Delivery

Ensure all technical and production elements across programmed work, productions, participation activity, and commercial events are delivered to the highest standards, on time and within budget.

Implement and oversee effective backstage systems, including get-ins/outs, set build/strike, rigging, lighting, sound, AV, staging, and flying across all spaces

Work with the producers to plan and manage production schedules, ensuring efficient delivery of the programme

Oversee the operation of the Pavilion Arts Centre as a multi-arts venue

Lead on show advances and liaise with visiting companies, delegating effectively to Technical Managers and the Production Administrator

Ensure safe and efficient stage operations during get-ins, get-outs, and performances

Job Responsibilities

Health & Saftey

Lead all technical Health and Safety compliance across Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre, ensuring robust risk assessments, safe systems of work, and full adherence to legislation

Ensure visiting companies and contractors are properly inducted, understand all venue procedures, and provide appropriate risk assessments and method statements, with hazards clearly communicated

Establish and maintain effective systems for managing Health and Safety documentation and compliance (e.g. contractor forms and Blue Lemon records)

Work closely with the Head of Operations, RB Solutions, High Peak Borough Council, and contractors to oversee safe delivery of all production activities, including permits to work

In co-ordination with Head of Operations and Maintenance Manager, oversee planned and reactive maintenance, inspections, and statutory compliance for all technical equipment and systems, ensuring accurate record keeping