Job Description

The Production Manager plays a key role in delivering all aspects of the production process, coordinating all production activities and operations on time and within budget.

The role works closely with the Head of Construction planning, scheduling, and delivering all technical and production services for all events and activities across the Mercury’s
programme. The Production Manager engages directly with creative teams, promoters, event clients, production companies and others, and leads their teams to use their expertise
collaboratively and creatively to advise, support and deliver all technical and production services.

Main duties
Productions
• To manage liaison between the creative teams and all production departments over the allocation of resources for all Mercury productions and to ensure proper planning, budgeting, scheduling and realisation of designs.
• To lead production meetings in an effective and positive manner
• To be responsible for the planning and arranging of all technical schedules.
• To be responsible for the organisation and recording of regular production meetings and to ensure the communication of decisions made.
• To ensure production risk assessments are carried out and acted upon.
• To ensure productions comply with current licensing requirements, such as fire regulations.
• To ensure production information is disseminated to the relevant other departments and external stakeholders, such as PRS.
• To be responsible for technical and production assessments of potential touring venues, both in the UK and abroad, undertaking recce visits as necessary.
• To manage all aspects of touring logistics for Mercury Theatre productions.
• To ensure all technical information is available for touring venues in plenty of time.
• To ensure the communication of technical and financial parameters regarding tours to Creative Teams, Technical HODs and the Senior Management Team.

Creative Engagement
• To production manage the performance elements of the creative engagement programme.
• To ensure the participation of production staff in all appropriate engagement activities
• To work with the Head of Creative Engagement to ensure that production staff understand and are fully engaged with the Engagement Programme to maximise its full potential within all production departments

Visiting companies
• To oversee the liaison between visiting companies and production departments over the provision of all technical services and facilities required.
• To be responsible for technical management and organisation of other presentations including hires and special events
• In conjunction with the Technical Manager to liaise with visiting companies

Financial
• To be responsible for budgetary planning, costing, monitoring spending and control of agreed amounts on production materials and labour, and other technical items
• To be responsible for the monitoring and accounting for all expenditure in the production departments including the spending of and accounting for petty cash payments
• To be responsible for the maintenance and financial control of all production department stocks
• To be responsible for the maintenance of accurate records and financial control of all production department staffing and freelance budgets
• To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible.

People
• To line manage the Technical Manager and Company Stage Manager
• To coordinate the recruitment of freelance and casual theatre technicians as required, within budget
• To monitor and co-ordinate the provision of training and staff development for all production departments.

Health and safety
• To ensure Health and Safety and correct working methods are adhered to by the department and to liaise with management team as necessary on any issues identified.
• To keep abreast of changes in Health and Safety legislation and be responsible for implementing developments in production as appropriate.
• To ensure risk assessments relevant to the production departments are up to date and acted on.
• Contribute to maintenance of a clean, tidy and safe working environment.

General duties
• To manage time effectively meeting deadlines as directed by the Deputy Executive Director
• Attendance at read-throughs, rehearsals, staff meetings as required
• Maintain a working knowledge of the Mercury Theatre’s wider artistic programme, including its Creative Engagement and New Work / Talent Development activities
• Participate actively as a member of the Production Team
• Attend and contribute to staff meetings and/or training sessions
• Maintain positive and effective relationships with colleagues across the organisation
• To adhere to all Mercury Theatre policies included Safeguarding, Health and Safety and environmental policies
• To maximise income and minimise expenditure whilst ensuring high quality delivery
• Deputise for other members of the production department where necessary to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of all the team’s activities
• Undertake First Aider duties as required
• Undertake any further duties as may be reasonably requested

This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of this position. It is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and does not preclude change or development that might be required in the future. It does not form part of the contract of employment

Person specification
Professional competencies
Essential
• Proven experience of professional production management of theatre productions
• Experience of effective management of budgets and ability to demonstrate excellent financial control
• Experience of recruiting and managing freelance staff
• Strong communication skills and experience working with multiple creative teams
• High level of people management and the ability to build and maintain excellent professional relationships
• Ability to create and lead a team to fulfil detailed and complex schedules;
• Excellent knowledge of current production related health and safety regulations and good practice
• Confident and proven production skills
• Ability to interpret/implement technical drawings
• Experience of costing, budgeting and financial management
• Experience of leading fit-ups, get-outs and technical rehearsals
• Experience of successfully working within teams
• Ability to work at heights
• Full UK driving license

Desirable
• CAD skills
• Experience of working with flying systems (hemp/counterweight)
• Excellent IT skills
• First Aider Qualification

Personal qualities
• Self-disciplined, organised and self-motivating
• Proven experience of good relationships with creative teams
• Ability to work as part of a flexible team, responding to instructions, contributing ideas, supporting other team members and taking a lead on projects as required
• Adaptable and receptive to new ideas and initiatives
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing deadlines
• Creative flair
• Good organisational/housekeeping skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to listen, build rapport and communicate with people at all levels

To apply:

Please submit your applications via Staffology here. and you can download the Candidate Pack Here