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Job description

Head of Lighting (1740)

Do you have significant experience in the theatre lighting industry?  Can you lead, motivate, develop and coach a technical team? Do you take an artist led approach to supporting and collaborating with freelance lighting designers? Are you future focussed and keen to support with the design and delivery of exceptional lighting solutions for our shows?  

We are looking for an experienced Head of Lighting to play a critical leadership role in realising the artistic ambitions of the organisation across all RSC stages and beyond.

This role requires a professional with a strong technical theatre background and substantial hands on experience delivering exceptional LX support within a large, complex building environment. You must be able to demonstrate a proven ability to manage, motivate, lead, and inspire a sizeable team of direct reports, while also ensuring that freelance designers receive an outstanding, well supported experience under your leadership.

Reporting to the Director of Technical and Production, key areas of responsibility include (please see the Role Profile for the comprehensive list):

• Ensuring high artistic, technical and operational standards in LX across all venues and projects.
• Creating and implementing the RSC's lighting strategy.
• Onboarding and supporting lighting designers to deliver their designs.
• Overseeing the acquisition, management, and deployment of lighting equipment across all venues.
• Ensuring safe systems of work and sustainable use of equipment and resources.

To be suitable for this role, it is essential that you have:

• Significant professional experience within the theatre lighting industry.
• Strong leadership experience, with the ability to support and develop a team of skilled technicians.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• An artist led approach to supporting and collaborating with freelance designers and wider artistic teams.
• Experience of infrastructure and electrical compliance projects.
• The ability to manage department and production budgets.
• A comprehensive understanding of health and safety legislation, safe working practices and theatre industry regulations.

This is a full-time, permanent position based onsite in Stratford-upon-Avon.

You will be working 44 hours per week, 6 days out of 7, with weekend and evening work as required. The salary for this role includes the 26/27 annual pay award.

Application Process 

All applications should be made online using the RSC website. If you need any assistance when applying, please email jobs@rsc.org.uk 

First stage interviews will be online on 24 April, and second stage will be in person in the week commencing 27 April.

About the RSC 

The RSC strives for excellence, and values creativity, inclusivity, sustainability, collaboration, and accountability.

We can offer great benefits and aim to create a welcoming, supportive environment which is happy, healthy and safe. We place great importance upon developing a diverse, highly motivated and energised workforce to help achieve our priorities. We put our values at the heart of everything we do. 

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all individuals.

We believe that safeguarding children and adults is everyone's responsibility, and everybody working at the RSC has a duty to place safeguarding at the heart of their work. We welcome candidates who will support and advocate the RSC's environmental objectives continuing to improve our sustainability work and actions both on and off stage.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (no. 212481) is a registered charity.

• Artistic/Executive:Artistic
• Position Type:Permanent (Full Time)
• Closing Date:19 April 2026
• Salary:£68,390 per annum, plus benefits