September 2025

Thank you for your interest in the post of Head of
Sound & Lighting.

This pack includes information on Stratford East, the job
description, person specification and details on how to
apply. Please read all the information carefully before
starting your application. Only relevant information will
be considered when shortlisting applicants for interview.
You may find it helpful to look at the Stratford East
website www.stratfordeast.com for general information
on the theatre’s policies, current programme and past
history.

We would like all applicants to know that if they need
additional support during the recruitment process we are
happy to make reasonable adjustments.

Access requirements for the application process

We want to make this application process as accessible
as possible and supply large print application packs. We
will accept covering letters and CVs in a video or audio
format.

We appreciate that some candidates will have needs
which mean that it is preferable for them to submit a
recorded application, rather than a written one.

Recorded applications should be:

•  No longer than 5 minutes, unless longer is needed

to meet your access needs

•  We welcome application videos in BSL

If you have any specific requirements including anything
you might need should you get called for interview (e.g.
interpreters, information in different formats etc.), or
would like to discuss any aspect of the role in
confidence, please contact
recruitment@stratfordeast.com.

Please note, any information you provide around
your access requirements will not form part of the
shortlisting process.

To apply for the post, please:

Enter your details on our online submission form:
https://hr.breathehr.com/v/head-of-sound-lighting-43020
and upload your covering letter and CV.

•  Complete the equal opportunities monitoring form
via this link: Applicant Monitoring Form (optional)

•  If you choose to submit a recorded application,

please email the recording to
recruitment@stratfordeast.com

•  If your recorded application can be found online,

please send the link to
recruitment@stratfordeast.com

•  When submitting your covering letter and CV via

our website, please ensure your full name is part of
the file name of the document you upload.

•  Please ensure your CV is no longer than 2 pages.
•  Please include why you want the job and how your
skills meet the person specification within your
covering letter.

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is
Midday on Monday 13 October. Applications received
after Midday on the deadline date will not be
accepted.

It is intended that initial interviews will take place on
Wednesday 22 October.

We may ask you to carry out a task as part of the
interview process. We give as much notice as possible
ahead of a task. We are happy to make reasonable

adjustments for applicants, if needed, to complete the
task.

We look forward to receiving your application and thank
you for your interest in Stratford East.

Stratford East

Stratford East continues to build on its legacy of bold,
inclusive, and ambitious theatre with an exciting new
chapter under Artistic Director Lisa Spirling, Executive
Director Hanna Streeter and Associate Artistic Director
Jade Lewis. Launching in Autumn 2025, their inaugural
season champions formally inventive work, new writing,
and underrepresented voices, marking a renewed
commitment to nurturing fresh talent and reflecting the
diversity of our audiences.

This follows our milestone 140th Anniversary Season,
announced in September 2024, which featured
productions including Animal Farm, The Women of
Llanrumney, Lovestuck, Romeo & Juliet, and The
Harder They Come. Earlier in 2024, we staged Abigail’s
Party directed by Nadia Fall, our Artistic Director from
2018 - 2024.

Throughout recent years, Stratford East has produced or
co-produced four to five mainstage productions
annually, alongside a vibrant programme of touring
work, one-night events, and our much-loved annual
pantomime - most recently Pinocchio (2024) and Mama
Goose (2025).

The theatre has also presented reimagined classics,
timely revivals, and ground-breaking new work, including
Now, I See by Lanre Malalou, and landmark revivals like
The Big Life and Beautiful Thing. Lisa, Hanna and
Jade's 2025 season signals the next bold step for
Stratford East, one that celebrates experimentation,
fresh perspectives, and the vital role of theatre in public
life today.

Governance and Finances

Stratford East is registered as Pioneer Theatres Limited
with Companies House (Company number: 556251) and
with the Charity Commission (Charity Number: 233801).
The Charity is led by a highly experienced Board of
Trustees. The Board includes skilled individuals from the
world of arts, local government, finance and
communications. We have two Young Trustees who
have come through our Learning & Participation
programmes.

We have a trading subsidiary, Stratford East (Trading)
Limited which operates our bar. We also have a
Development Board, which has no formal role in
governance, but supports our fundraising, and is chaired
by one of our Board Members.

Bindi Karia was appointed as Chair in September 2025.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Practises

Stratford East is committed to safeguarding and embeds
safeguarding in all of its working practices.

As part of our recruitment process, we ask applicants to
agree to undertake a DBS check and complete a self-
disclosure form, if applicable to the role.

If required, applicants will need to complete a self-
disclosure form if invited to an interview. The completed
form should be brought to the interview in a sealed
envelope, marked ‘confidential’.  The envelope will only
be opened, and the contents reviewed, as part of our
referencing process, if the candidate is successful.  All
unopened disclosure forms will be shredded.

References are only sought for successful candidates,
when referees are approached, we will ask them to
assess the candidate’s suitability for the role if it involves
working with children, young people, and vulnerable
adults.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:

Head of Sound and Lighting

Reporting to:

Head of Production

Responsible for:

Senior Technician, Deputy Head
of lighting

Key Working
Relationships:

Production and Stage
Management team, Operations
and Front of House, Creatives and
Freelance or casual show staff

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POST

•  To facilitate the smooth running and delivery of
Stratford East productions, collaboratively and
creatively supporting all aspects of the production
process through technical excellence, adaptability,
and teamwork.

•  To be an inhouse expert and liaison for touring
shows, incoming companies, events, or hires.

•  To ensure safety standards and best working

practices are upheld in all situations.

•  To provide clear leadership for the technical team

throughout preproduction and technical processes,
ensuring wellbeing and high artistic standards

•  To manage and build relationships with external
clients and key stakeholders, eg hire companies,
freelance staff, and core creatives

•  To forward plan, manage logistics and budgets
effectively, enabling technical departments to
deliver efficiently and to schedule

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•  To be highly competent in either Sound or Lighting

(or both), and proficient in the other, including

rigging, patching, and focussing sound and lighting
fixtures, both intelligent and generic.

•  To oversee show and building infrastructure key to

sound and light installations, ensuring that it is fit for
purpose, safe and attuned to the show
requirements.

•  To liaise with designers and production managers,
operating as lead technical contact throughout
planning and delivery of shows, facilitating their
needs and managing expectations in conjunction
with other Heads of Department and the Head of
Production.

•  To lead, by example of best practice, the team of

inhouse and freelance technical specialists during fit
up, get out and technical rehearsal periods,
balancing efficient delivery and welfare.

•  To ably manage departmental and show specific

budgets.

•  To undertake a system of Planned, Preventative,
Maintenance, ensuring equipment is in good
working order in accordance and compliance with
regulatory standards and legislation

•  Create show specific, contemporary network,

control and operating systems including preparatory
paperwork and diagrams

•  Accurately draw, interpret, and implement theatrical

plans and drawings

•  Ensure professional presentation of the theatre and

associated spaces

•  Recruit casual and freelance technicians including

show operators and fit up/ get out staff

•  Actively support junior staff members to develop

their skills and evolve their passion in the industry

•  To advise on Capex projects and lead on

appropriate elements.

•  Undertake any reasonable request made by the
Head of Production or other senior manager

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential  Desirable

Personal Attributes
To be curious and enquiring,
supportive of others, embracing of
new ideas. An investor in people.
Collaborative approach, dedicated
and driven towards high quality
outputs, Supporting and developing
others and yourself
Self motivated and resourceful
Excellent communicator
A Passion for Art and Culture
Tenacious and personable
Skills
All round theatre craft
Build, operate and manage complex
PA, Lighting, and video systems
Draft high quality plans in AutoCAD
or Vectorworks
Exceptional logical process fault
finding
Proficiency programming and
operating Digico in a live sound
environment

X

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Proficiency programming and
operating Eos (Apex 10 and Gio
@5) including accurate moving light
plotting and pixel mapping
Programming basic qlab files
including OSC triggers and Midi
Understanding of acoustic design,
performance prediction, alignment,
rigging and safety parameters, RF
theory and microphone technique
Understanding of intercom and
show relay systems
Working knowledge of safe theatre
rigging practices
Fly a bar safely (hemp,
counterweight and auto)
Tie basic theatre knots (clove hitch,
bowline, and half hitch)
Basic carpentry- be able to
confidently use wood working tools,
e.g. drill driver.
Literacy in English and Maths
Experience and Knowledge
Extensive experience as a senior or
deputy in sound or lighting teams
either in a venue or touring
Good working knowledge of theatre
production practices and related
equipment particularly in a
producing theatre
Team management experience
Manage and reconcile budgets

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

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X

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To be familiar with and understand
the fundamentals of IET Wiring
Regulations (BS 7671 18th Edition),
7909 temporary installation and
ISITEE (formally PAT)
Up to date knowledge of current
health and safety best practice and
legislation including all relevant
theatre standards, eg LOLER,
PUWER
Awareness of Theatre Green Book
and reasonable use of materials
Awareness of theatre engineering in
accordance with BS EN 17206-2
Good working knowledge and
application of HASAWA 1974 and
CDM 2015
Qualifications
Industry recognised Qualifications
welcome, e.g. ABTT Bronze,
PASMA, NIC 7909, IPAF, Work at
Height, EoS, Dante, CDM.

X

INFORMATION
Stratford East is committed to a policy of equal
opportunities embracing diversity in all areas of activity
and positively welcomes applications from disabled
people and people of all ethnicities.

Contract type:

Full Time

Salary:

£38,000 - £40,000 subject to experience
and annual review

Hours of
Work:

39 per week 1x Overtime until 44hrs, 1.5x
OT thereafter.

Holidays:

30 days per annum including bank
holidays. This will increase by 1 day for
each full holiday year of service
completed to a maximum total of 33 days.
Holiday is pro rata for part time roles.

Probation:

6 months

Notice
Period:
Pension:

Other
Benefits:

2 months (after probation)

Up to 5% matched pension contribution
after qualifying period

Season ticket loans, Cycle to Work
Scheme, complimentary theatre tickets,
staff catering discount, Employee
Assistance Programme (support and
advice via phone and online for on
various matters including legal, debt,
counselling etc.)

INFORMATION

Stratford East is committed to a policy of equal
opportunities embracing diversity in all areas of activity
and positively welcomes applications from disabled
people and people of all ethnicities.

End of document.