mail.theatreni.org · Web viewEstablished in 1951, the Theatre was born when Mary and Pearse O’Malley transformed the back rooms of their house in Derryvolgie Avenue into a drama

PRODUCTION MANAGER

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

This Application Pack contains 2 sections.

SECTION 1 Job description, terms and conditions, person specification and application guidelines (To be retained)

SECTION 2 Application form and equal opportunities form (To be submitted)The closing date for applications is Friday 4th March 2016 at 5pm. Late applications will not be considered.

SECTION 1

Background

The Lyric Theatre is Northern Ireland’s only full-time producing theatre.

Established in 1951, the Theatre was born when Mary and Pearse O’Malley transformed the back rooms of their house in Derryvolgie Avenue into a drama space. In the 1960s the scale of work expanded considerably and the Lyric Players became a non-profit making organisation with the aim of building a new theatre. In 1968, a new Lyric Theatre opened on Ridgeway Street on the banks of the River Lagan.

Over the next 50 years the Lyric established itself as Northern Ireland’s leading producing theatre, premiering the works of playwrights such as Stewart Parker, Martin Lynch, Marie Jones and Christina Reid. Their works were often performed by some of Northern Ireland’s finest performers, including Adrian Dunbar, Dan Gordon, Conleth Hill, Ciaran Hinds, Stella McCusker, Frances Tomelty and the Theatre’s patron, Liam Neeson.

In 1998 the Board of the Theatre took the decision to redevelop the then dilapidated building which struggled to provide adequate facilities for the more modern productions. After many years of lobbying, substantial grants were approved by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council and a major fundraising campaign was launched.

The new £18.1m state-of-the-art theatre opened its door on 1st May 2011 to critical acclaim, both for the architecture of the theatre itself and for the quality of the productions on the stage. Within its first three years of opening it collected 16 awards for the theatre and its work.

The new theatre includes the 390 seat Northern Bank Stage, the 124 seat flexible Naughton Studio and a modern rehearsal room; all enhanced with attractive hospitality spaces. Behind the scenes there are state-of-the-art dressing rooms, stage technical facilities and spacious office accommodation.

Each year we produce between 9/10 full-scale productions, 2 of which run concurrently at Christmas. We also receive visiting work from touring companies, most of which plays in the Naughton Studio. In 2014/15 we staged 394 performances of 65 different productions across 2 stages. 63% of performances were of our own work.

In 2015 the theatre won 4 Irish Theatre Awards, was voted NI’s most welcoming theatre, staged co-productions with the Abbey Theatre, Soho Theatre and the Dublin Theatre Festival and toured to London, Glasgow, Dublin and Letterkenny.

For more information on the Lyric Theatre visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk .

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Production Manager is a new post and a key addition to the theatre team. They will be responsible for overseeing the successful staging of Lyric Theatre and visiting company productions in both auditoria and on tour including the management and development of technical and production teams. You will be a highly organised individual with a strong work ethic, an enthusiastic a positive team leader and the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines.

IN CONFIDENCE – PRODUCTION MANAGER Office Use Only

The team currently includes a technical manager, company stage manager, wardrobe supervisor, 3 technicians, 2 deputy stage managers and 2 assistant stage managers.

1. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.1 JOB TITLEThe title of this post is Production Manager.

1.2 LOCATIONThe post is based at the Lyric Theatre, Ridgeway Street, Belfast. The successful applicant may also be required to tour with shows and in such cases travel expenses will be covered.

1.3 PAY SCALE The post will attract a salary of between £28,000 and £34,000 per annum for an exceptional candidate.

1.4 CONTRACTThe appointment is full-time for 43 hours per week.

1.5 PROBATIONARY PERIODThe appointment will commence with a probation period of 6 months which may be terminated at a month’s notice by either side during the period. During this time the organisation reserve the right to dismiss the employee for unsatisfactory performance without recourse to the disciplinary procedure.

1.6 ANNUAL LEAVE5.6 weeks’ holiday, some days to be taken when the theatre is closed e.g. bank and public holidays.

1.7 WORKING HOURS The standard working week will be 43 hours over 6 days however due to the nature of this position a significant degree of flexibility is required from the post holder to meet the demands of the theatre’s production schedule.

It is recognised that there may be circumstances where the amount of hours outside of a normal working week becomes excessive. In those circumstances time off in lieu may be granted at the discretion of the Executive Producer. Evening and weekend is an inherent part of this job. Time off in lieu will be granted for any work done on a statutory holiday.

1.8 DISCLOSURE1. If you are successful after shortlisting, depending on whether you will be working

with children and/or vulnerable adults, you will be required to undergo an ACCESS NI check.

2. If you are required to undergo an Access NI check, a copy of their Code of Practice will be made available to you.

3. You will also be required to disclose any unspent criminal convictions as defined by The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups NI Order 2007 & The Rehabilitation of Offenders (NI) Order 1978. The Lyric theatre has a policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders which can also be made available to you.


4. Disclosure of a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position within the Lyric theatre. You will, however, be asked to disclose if there is any reason why you cannot work in regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.

1.9 CLOSING DATEThe closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday 4th March 2016 at 5pm. The completed Application Form and Recruitment Monitoring form should be returned in an envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL and must be addressed to:

The Monitoring OfficerLyric Theatre55 Ridgeway StreetBELFASTBT9 5FB

Failure to complete and return the Application Form in accordance with the Guidance Notes contained on the reverse of the first page of the Application Form will result in your application being disqualified. Canvassing will disqualify. Late applications will not be considered.

Copies of this job application pack are available to download from www.lyrictheatre.co.uk and also on request from the Administration Assistant, Lyric Theatre, 55 Ridgeway Street, Belfast BT9 5FB and by email from [email protected]

1.9 SHORTLISTINGOnly those applicants who appear, from the information provided, to be the most suitable in terms of the selection criteria may be called for interview. It is the applicant’s responsibility to demonstrate clearly on their application form, how they satisfy the published selection criteria. It is essential that applicants provide evidence of how they meet the selection criteria, giving examples and specifying exact dates as appropriate. It is not sufficient to simply list the various posts that you have held. The selection panel cannot make assumptions as to your skills, knowledge and experience from the title of previous posts held.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

2. GUIDANCE NOTES

Please read carefully

Completing the Form

1. You must complete all sections of the Application Form. Only pages 3 onwards of the Application Form will be made available to the selection panel.

2. Please complete the form clearly and legibly, preferably in CAPITAL LETTERS or typescript.

3. The personnel requirements for this post are set out in this Form. You must address all the requirements listed and demonstrate clearly how you meet each one.

4. Do not exceed the space provided. We will not consider any attachments, CVs or other supplementary material.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.lyrictheatre.co.uk/


Returning the Form

5. The Application Form must be signed and dated6. The Application Form must be returned addressed to ‘The Monitoring Officer’7. Your completed Application Form must arrive by the stated closing date. Late

applications will not be accepted.8. Information in support of your application will not be accepted after the closing date for

receipt of applications.9. If you wish to submit your application via email, please return to

[email protected]

General

10. Canvassing will disqualify.11. A candidate found to have given false information or wilfully to have suppressed any

material fact will be liable to either disqualification or, if appointed, dismissal.

Equal Opportunities Monitoring

12. To demonstrate the Lyric Theatre’s commitment to equality of opportunity in employment we must monitor the community background of our employees and job applicants as required by the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989. Please complete and return the Monitoring Form attached. The Form will be detached on receipt and will not be seen by the short-listing panel.

mailto:[email protected]

3. JOB DESCRIPTION

3.1 REPORTING TOThe Executive Producer

3.2 RESPONSIBLE FORThe post holder will have responsibility for the Production and Technical Department and a significant budget.

3.3 Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing the successful staging of Lyric Theatre and visiting company productions in both auditoria and on tour including the management and development of technical and production teams. This includes:

Productions Planning and supervising all aspects of production activity

Work closely in collaboration and partnership with the Lyric’s production teams to deliver a professional standard of theatre production expected from the Lyric Theatre.

Be the first and major point of contact with relevant designers, directors and technicians.

Ensure that designers are fully aware of the restraints of budgets, staffing, licensing, health and safety requirements and the constraints of the Lyric

Obtain accurate costings for all productions and staffing requirements and ensuring that designs can be delivered within budget, including transportation of production materials

Co-ordinate and oversee a high standard of delivery of sets, props, costumes, lighting, sound and all other aspects of physical production within agreed briefs, budgets and timescales.

Address problems that arise within the production and where appropriate to communicate those problems to the Executive Producer or other relevant heads of department.

Chair production meetings and ensure that notes are taken and distributed in a prompt fashion.

Working with programming colleagues to schedule activities in both auditoria and any outside tours, transfers or site specific work

Planning staff requirements and making any necessary appointments to meet the needs of the theatre programme and production schedule;

Working closely with creative teams to realise their designs and compositions maximising the use of the theatre’s available resources;

Controlling and managing agreed production budgets

Leading, where required on all Lyric co-productions and liaising with co-producers to ensure best delivery of our productions

Ensuring the effective running of all production facilities including the rehearsal room, wardrobe and stores.


Be in attendance at the fit-up, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals and first performance, ensuring that all technical notes arising from them are passed on and acted upon.

Ensure that all departments are kept informed of the requirements of the artistic team.

Management

Developing skills and performance for technical and production staff;

Line managing and directing Technical and Production teams;

Contribute to the day to day running of the organisation and serve its long-term interests as a member of the Lyric’s management team;

Health & Safety

Leading on the continued development and delivery of a safe and healthy workplace including the development of safe and efficient systems of working;

Keeping abreast of current developments in health and safety and ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Theatre’s Health & Safety Policy;

Ensuring the maintenance and safety of all working areas and implementing best practice across the department;

Commercial Activities

Authorising expenditure within agreed budgets and reporting on that expenditure to the Finance Manager in a timely manner

Complying with all relevant legislation;

Strategic

Co-operating and liaising with managers and staff, to ensure that overall business strategies of the Lyric Theatre are realised.

This list is for guidance only and is not exhaustive. The post holder will also be required to carry out other reasonable duties as required by the Executive Producer.

4. PERSON SPECIFICATION

4.1 ESSENTIAL

Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in theatre electrics, technical stage management or technical teams including at least 2 years’ as a Production Manager

Able to multi-task, work calmly under pressure and meet tight deadlines consistently;

Fitness and stamina to fulfil the requirements of the post including the ability to work at height;

Ability to read, understand & interpret set plans and drawings;

Good communication skills;

Detailed knowledge of current theatrical technical resources, production and technical practices within theatre including sound, lighting and flying;

Knowledge and practical experience of the implementation of current health and safety legislation;

Strong organisational and logistical skills including IT and administration;

4.2 DESIRABLE

Experience of touring both medium scale & small scale and internationally;

Familiarity with the Northern Irish and Irish theatre circuit

First aid and health & safety qualification;

Holds a valid driving license;


SECTION 2

Personal DetailsSurname Forename(s)

Title

Home Address:

Post Code

Home Tel No Mobile No.

Bus. Tel. No. Email

AssistancePlease provide us with information about any assistance or additional provision you require us to make to facilitate your attendance at interview.

DeclarationI hereby certify that all the information given by me in connection with this application is correct to the best of my knowledge, that all the questions relating to me have been accurately and fully answered and that I possess all the qualifications which I claim to hold.

Signed

Date


Details of secondary/grammar schools or technical college attended

Name of School/College Address of School/College Dates Attendedto

to

to

References

Please give the names and addresses of two people who are able to provide references relating to your work experience and suitability for this post. One referee should be a previous employer and, if possible, your present or most recent employer.

No member or officer of the Lyric Theatre or person nominated to sit on or attend the selection panel for this post can be accepted as a referee from external applicants. In order to provide an employment reference for internal applicants however one such reference can be accepted provided that the person has not been nominated to serve on or attend the selection panel.

It is the Lyric Theatre’s policy to take up references prior to interview.

Reference 1

Name

Address

Post Code

Tel. No. E-mail

Position

Reference 2

Name

Address

Post Code

Tel. No. E-mail

Position


Educational Qualifications

Documentary evidence of Essential Qualifications asked for will be required if you are called for interview.

Third Level Qualification including any Post Graduate Qualification. Please state class or level.

Name and Address of University/College or Awarding Body

Dates Attended Qualification Gained

Professional Qualifications or Membership

Name of Professional or Technical Association Date Status


Employment History

Detail all your employment/self-employment (and periods of unemployment) starting with the most recent. If you cannot give actual dates, please at least indicate relevant month. If necessary, continue on a separate page.

From/To Employer’s Name and Address Job Title and Main Duties



The requirements for the post are listed at the top of this and the following pages. You should demonstrate clearly how and to what extent you meet each requirement. Please do not write over the page or include any supplementary material.

Essential Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in theatre electrics, technical stage

management or technical teams including at least 2 years’ as a Production Manager

Able to multi-task, work calmly under pressure and meet tight deadlines consistently;

Fitness and stamina to fulfil the requirements of the post including the ability to work at height;


Essential Ability to read, understand & interpret set plans and drawings;

Good communication skills;

Detailed knowledge of current theatrical technical resources, production and technical practices within theatre including sound, lighting and flying;


Essential Knowledge and practical experience of the implementation of current health and safety

legislation;

Strong organisational and logistical skills including IT and administration;


Desirable Experience of touring both medium scale & small scale and internationally;

Familiarity with the Northern Irish and Irish theatre circuit

First aid and health & safety qualification;



Desirable Experience of multi-media production;

Previous experience of Live Audio Mixing

Experience of touring both medium scale & small scale and internationally;

Experience of computer software including Word, Excel & Office, AutoCAD;



EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM FULLY

The Lyric Theatre strives to ensure equality of employment opportunity. We aim to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all job applicants and to meet the requirements of equal opportunities legislation and we do not discriminate on grounds of religious belief, political opinion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ethnic origin or disability. We practise equality of opportunity in employment and select the best person for the job. The information on this form is used for monitoring purposes only and it will not be used in the selection process.

Please tick the appropriate box

SEXMale Female

MARITAL STATUSSingle Married Other

DATE OF BIRTH

NATIONALITY

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION/ COMMUNITY BACKGROUND

The Lyric Theatre is required by the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (as amended) to monitor the perceived religious affiliation or community background of both its employees and applicants for employment. Whether or not you are from Northern Ireland, you should answer the question below by indicating which community or religious background you might be perceived to come from. Even if you no longer practise any religion, the Fair Employment Act 1989 still obliges the Lyric to classify your perceived religious affiliation/community background, in order to monitor the effectiveness of our policy of equality of opportunity, not simply in recruitment terms, but as part of an ongoing exercise for all employees. Therefore, although your response below may not reflect any current personal religious belief which you hold, please bear the above points in mind when you complete the form.

Please indicate your perceived religious affiliation/community background by ticking one of the boxes below:

PROTESTANTROMAN CATHOLICOTHER (inc none)

6. If you are currently residing in Northern Ireland, please state your full postcode:


7. The Lyric wishes to encourage suitably qualified people with disabilities to apply for jobs – all information will be treated in confidence.

The Disability Discrimination Act defines a disabled person as someone with a disability or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day to day activities.

Do you consider yourself to have a disability?Yes No

If Yes, please give details and let us know if there is anything we need to know about your disability in order to offer you a fair selection interview if you are shortlisted for the post or to facilitate you in the performance of the duties of the post if you are appointed.

8. Please tick the box that best describes your ethnic origin.

White European White Non-European Pakistani

Black African Black Caribbean Black Other

Chinese Asian Other Indian

Irish Traveller Other (please specify)

9. Where did you see this job advertised?

DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS FORM

Access to this information will be strictly controlled and will not be available to those considering your application for employment. Monitoring will involve the use of statistical summaries of information in which the identities of individuals will not appear. The information will not be available for any purpose other than equal opportunities monitoring. This form will be detached on receipt and will not be seen by the short listing panel.

Please note that it is an offence for any person knowingly to give false information to another who is seeking that information in order to make a monitoring return.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Documents

mail.theatreni.org · Web viewEstablished in 1951, the Theatre was born when Mary and Pearse O’Malley transformed the back rooms of their house in Derryvolgie Avenue into a drama