Job Description

Responsible to: General Manager

Working Closely with: Operations Team, Heritage Buildings Team, Enterprises Team, Commercial Delivery Team, Programming Team

Responsible for: Production & Technical Managers, Senior Technician, Technicians, Casual Technicians, Casual Event Crew

This role will be part of BAC’s Operations Team. It may be expected to contribute to a range of workstreams, but the role will primarily lead on all our Production and Technical work as set out below.

General Description

The Head of Production & Technical leads all production and technical activity across Battersea Arts Centre, supporting an ambitious and diverse programme of performances, artist development, community activity, commercial events, conferences, weddings, concerts and filming. Working within one of the UK’s most distinctive Grade II* listed arts venues, this is a unique opportunity to shape its technical future, working at the heart of a creative organisation that delivers an extraordinary range of activity, while balancing the opportunities and challenges of a historic building.

The role is responsible for ensuring all activity is planned, resourced and delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest professional standards. Working closely with artists, visiting companies, clients, contractors and colleagues across the organisation, the postholder will develop practical and innovative solutions that support both creative ambition and operational excellence.

Leading a skilled team of technical professionals, the Head of Production & Technical provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across production planning, technical delivery, workforce management, venue infrastructure, compliance, health and safety and technical resources. As a senior leader within the organisation, the role will help shape the future of BAC’s technical operations, ensuring the venue remains an inspiring, welcoming and technically ambitious home for artists, communities, audiences and commercial clients alike.

As BAC continues to develop its Production & Technical function, this role offers a significant opportunity to shape the future of the department. The postholder will play a key role in evolving the team structure, strengthening systems and processes, developing technical capability and creating an environment in which staff can thrive while delivering exceptional experiences for artists, audiences and clients.

Role Responsibilities

Strategic/Project Delivery

• Provide strategic leadership for the Production & Technical department, ensuring delivery supports BAC’s artistic, operational and commercial objectives.
• Lead departmental planning, workforce strategy, resource allocation, succession planning and budget oversight.
• Establish effective systems, processes and ways of working that support safe, efficient and collaborative delivery across all venue activity.
• Lead recruitment, performance management, wellbeing and professional development across the P&T Team.
• Develop and maintain a sustainable workforce model incorporating permanent staff, casual technicians, freelancers and contractors.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration between Production & Technical and all other departments.
• Contribute to organisational planning as part of the Operations team.
• Monitor developments in theatre technology and industry practice, identifying opportunities for innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement, particularly with AV, sound, lighting, staging and rigging.
• Oversee production planning, including budgets, schedules, staffing, technical documentation (including CAD drawings) and resource requirements, identifying production risks and constraints at an early stage.
• Chair production meetings and provide strategic oversight of technical delivery across productions, events, hires and participation activity.
• Ensure all production activity is delivered safely and compliantly, with robust systems for risk management, technical assessment, documentation and incident investigation.
• Engage specialist technical, compliance or safety expertise where required and ensure significant risks and incidents are appropriately escalated.
• Ensure production activity is integrated with wider building operations, fire safety and emergency planning requirements.
• Lead long-term planning for technical infrastructure, equipment, facilities and capital investment.
• Maintain systems for contract administration, financial control, compliance and record keeping.
• Oversee the lifecycle management of production and technical assets, ensuring appropriate maintenance, replacement and disposal processes are in place.
• Build effective relationships with producers, clients and event managers to deliver successful outcomes within venue constraints.
• Work with Production managers and departmental managers to coordinate technical delivery of lighting, sound and AV requirements across BAC productions, co-productions, visiting work, participation activity, hires and events.

Team and Collaboration

• Lead, manage and develop the Production & Technical team, fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Line manage direct reports, giving guidance and feedback setting objectives and supporting individual development.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, training, succession planning and technician competency programmes.
• Ensure staff, freelancers and contractors receive appropriate induction, briefing, supervision and support.
• Plan and manage technician rotas across lighting, sound, AV and rigging activity.
• Champion inclusion, accessibility, wellbeing, exceptional customer service and safe working practices.
• Support apprenticeships, placements and early-career development opportunities.
• Foster effective collaboration with internal teams, artists, visiting companies, clients, contractors and suppliers.
• Maintain training records, ensuring staff are booked into refresher training as needed and monitor team performance, implementing improvements where required.
• Promote a culture where health and safety is integrated into all technical and creative practice.
• Deliver Duty Technician training signing off technician competency framework

Skills Contribution

• Provide expert advice on theatre production, technical systems, rigging, temporary electrical installations, networking, compliance and event delivery.
• Ensure the safe operation, inspection, testing and maintenance of production facilities, infrastructure and technical equipment.
• Review technical documentation, production plans and contractor submissions to ensure feasibility, compliance and safe delivery.
• Oversee stage configurations, temporary installations and venue layouts to ensure compliance with capacity, emergency, rescue, fire safety and operational requirements.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex technical and operational issues.
• Lead or support fit-ups, technical rehearsals, get-outs and show operation where required.

Business Delivery

• Manage Production & Technical budgets, resources and expenditure effectively.
• Oversee technical assets, inventories, storage facilities, workshops and maintenance programmes.
• Ensure statutory inspections, preventative maintenance and compliance programmes are delivered effectively, including EICR, and PAT Testing.
• Lead the development, maintenance and future planning of BAC’s technical systems, infrastructure and equipment.
• Work with suppliers, contractors and visiting companies to maximise the effective use of technical facilities.
• Ensure technical operations comply with BAC policies, legislation, industry standards and best practice.
• Develop & Review Policies, Safe Systems of Work and Standard Operating Procedures in line with best practice
• Lead departmental compliance activity, including CDM, LOLER, PUWER, COSHH, temporary electrical systems and work at height.
• Support the organisation’s Health & Safety management system, including the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, risk management, safe systems of work and operational procedures.
• Ensure appropriate systems are in place for risk assessment, technical assessment, production documentation and compliance, and are effectively utilised day to day to manage technical health & safety.
• Provide visible leadership in health, safety and risk management, promoting positive safety culture and ensuring incidents, near misses and unsafe practices are investigated and addressed appropriately.
• Lead venue communications licensing (Ofcom) compliance.
• Support income generation through commercial events, hires and technical services.
• Drive operational efficiency, reporting and continuous improvement across the department.
• Maintain the Production & Technical SharePoint site and departmental records in line with GDPR requirements.

General Tasks

• Be an active participant in BAC’s wider creative life, attending performances and events, and supporting the venue’s public-facing activities.
• Contribute to staff meetings, cross-team collaborations, and organisational initiatives that support BAC’s mission and continuous improvement culture.
• Maintain professional development, staying informed of trends in hospitality, retail, and event services to bring fresh ideas and improvements.
• Ensure that BAC’s values of inclusivity, sustainability, and generosity are reflected in all aspects of your work and team leadership.
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required by the leadership of BAC

Apply via batterseaartscentre-1747837251.teamtailor.com