Head of Production
Job Description: Head of Production
Employer: Hull Truck Theatre
Full or Part time: Permanent, full time.
Salary: £40k - £45k per annum, depending on experience, and grade of role, as outlined below. Paid monthly in arrears.
Department: Production.
Line Manager: Artistic Director.
Grade: HOD or SMT, depending on experience.
Hull Truck Theatre is very much a learning theatre and to ensure the widest possible pool of applicants can apply, we are flexible on the post being either a HOD post or a member of the SMT team depending on experience of applicants. The successful applicant will be supported with a training development plan.
Reports to: Artistic Director and Executive Director.
Reports from: Technical – LX and Sound, Production (Wardrobe, Stage, Workshop, Stage Management.
Responsible for: Leading the Technical and Production departments, both produced and received work, ensuring and maintaining efficiency and a high quality of service.
Deadline for applications: 10th September 2026 – 12pm
Interviews will be held: Week commencing 14th September 2026
Hull Truck Theatre is a Disability Confident Employer.
It is widely known that people who experience barriers to employment in the Arts, due to factors such as race, gender, ethnicity, disability, or people from a working-class background, are more likely to assume that they are not the right person for a role like this. We warmly encourage you to apply.
If any of this process is inaccessible to you, please get in touch through recruitment@hulltruck.co.uk and let us know how you would like to apply e.g., by video. We will work with you to accommodate your request as best we can.
Head of Production role
The Head of Production will lead the Production Department, which consists of the Stage and Technical (Lighting and Sound) and teams. Freelance stage management and wardrobe/costume teams are recruited for the produced programme as required. The department is also supported by the Production Administrator and occasionally freelance Production Managers.
The Head of Production is responsible for promoting and ensuring the highest level of health and safety within the relevant areas, developing policy and best practice throughout the building.
The Head of Production works closely with the Artistic Director, Executive Director, and Producer/Programmer of Hull Truck Theatre and supports the Associate Director in the delivery of the theatre’s creative learning projects/productions. The Artistic Director is specifically responsible for the Theatre’s artistic policy and its quality delivery, and the Executive Director is specifically responsible for the operation of the organisation – administration, staff, resources and financial matters.
The Head of Production will lead, manage and develop the theatre’s production department ensuring the production requirements of all shows and events are delivered safely, effectively and to the highest quality standards, both in the Hull Truck Theatre building and elsewhere.
Post Responsibilities
Production
Realisation of all Hull Truck Theatre productions (both professional and community) within resources and to a high standard whether on or off site, on time and in Budget.
Arranging and managing transfers of Productions to / from coproducing venues and touring venues. Where necessary, touring with production in the UK and abroad.
Working with Creative Teams to ensure that all elements of productions commissioned by Hull Truck Theatre can be delivered within agreed timeframes and budgets.
Responsible for liaison between Hull Truck Theatre and visiting companies, ensuring full and effective communication and delivery of Hull Truck Theatre’s technical provision within contracted terms.
Efficient communication with and delivery of the production requirements for Events & Conferencing.
Ensuring that information is processed in a timely manner to enable other departments to function within required timescales, e.g. time sheets and recharge sheets.
Ensuring the compliance with HSE standards and insurance regulations in areas of operation. Responsible for ensuring the maintenance and servicing off all technical equipment.
Carry out and oversee the timely production of risk assessments for each production prior to any technical rehearsals and take overall responsibility for risk assessments within the department.
To ensure that all machinery and equipment in the back-stage areas is adequately serviced and maintained.
Responsible for ensuring that the theatre complies with all necessary statutory obligations required by licensing organisations (in conjunction with the Theatre Buildings Manager).
To be a nominated Key Holder for the building.
Working on any Capital Projects as required to ensure that the project delivers appropriately with regards to the needs of the Production Department.
Management
To act as Primary Coordinator of Health and Safety for Hull Truck Theatre and Chair the Health and Safety committee.
Manage, support and advise the Production and Buildings team.
To ensure that the theatre’s production departments adhere to current legislation and guidelines in respect of, but not limited to, European Working Time Directive, ABTT codes of practice etc.
To ensure that production areas adhere to all requirements of its licences and insurances.
To lead the implementation of the Sustainability Action Plan, chairing the theatre’s Green group to ensure the theatre is working sustainably and striving to reduce energy consumption in productions, processes and practices and throughout the building with support from the Production Coordinator.
Senior Management
Depending on the level of experience and level appointed, the post may sit on Hull Truck’s Strategic Management Team and share responsibility for the development and implementation of shortand long-term strategic planning.
Staffing
Line management of production and technical staff, to include recruitment, performance, assessment, development and health & safety in accordance with theatre policies.
Providing rotas for casuals needed by the production department ensuring cost effectiveness
Being responsible for the wellbeing and safety of the team and for Health & Safety within the production department.
Provide leadership for the production and technical teams that ensures the highest standards of team working.
Review and implement the training needs of production and technical teams.
Financial
Smooth and efficient operation of the production departments within agreed budgets and resources including ensuring systematic maintenance, care and replacement of production tools and equipment including vehicles.
Management of all specified production budgets, both material and labour, for the theatre’s own work, agreeing resources with Executive Director/Financial Controller. Keeping accurate records and control of the use of all resources.
Reporting against Budget via Management Accounts (quarterly) and Show Accounts.
General duties
To attend training courses and development opportunities as required.
To work within, promote and comply with current legislation and Hull Truck Theatre’s policies and practices, including on Equality, Inclusion, Safeguarding and Health & Safety both in the delivery of services and the treatment of others and ensure adherence to these policies by freelance workers.
The Health and Safety at Work Act and other associated legislation places responsibility for Health and Safety on all employees. Therefore, it is the post holder’s responsibility to take reasonable care for the Health, Safety and Welfare of him/herself and other employees in accordance with legislation and the company’s Health and Safety Policy.
To promote, develop and comply with the Theatre’s Green policy practices to lessen the environmental impact of Hull Truck Theatre.
Play an integrated role in the company through pro-active and regular communication – both formal and informal - with other staff.
All employees are expected to take positive action to promote Equal Opportunities in all aspects of the work of Hull Truck Theatre.
The above duties may involve having access to information of a confidential nature that may be covered by the General Data Protection Regulation. Confidentiality must be maintained at all times.
Occasional travel to performances and rehearsals outside Hull, as required.
To always act in the interests of Hull Truck Theatre.
Complete any other delegated task that may assist the Company in achieving its business objectives. Such tasks will not be of an unreasonable nature and shall be commensurate with the level of the post.
The above accountabilities are not exhaustive and may vary without changing the character of the job or level of responsibility.
Personal Specification
Essential
• Passion for producing theatre.
Significant experience of working in a production department of a producing theatre, including having previously operated at a senior level involving direct production, budget and staff management.
Excellent staff manager, and team leader, enabling the conditions to encourage the best work from talented staff.
Experience of contributing to Strategic Decision making.
Experience of financial management and control including managements of budgets over £50k.
Health and Safety experience and a good knowledge of its practical application and statutory requirements.
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people.
Ability to promote and encourage an ethos of team working
Energy, flair and enthusiasm.
Numerate, literate and computer literate: Proficiency in the use of Word, Outlook and Excel and willingness to learn other computer packages used by the Theatre.
Desirable
Driver’s License and experience of driving a van (or equivalent).
Experience of supporting Creative Learning projects.
Site specific production experience.
Interest in and experience of Digital work.
Terms and Conditions:
Hours of work:
It is imagined this is a permanent, full-time post working 37.5 hours per week with 30 minutes/1 hour unpaid break each day (however, please do suggest other working patterns and possible fractional options). There will be regular evening and weekend work and some work away from base. The post-holder will be expected to offer reasonable flexibility in their working arrangements where it is considered necessary to undertake the duties they have been employed to perform.
Hull Truck Theatre wants to support a positive work-life balance for staff. Flexible working requests welcomed. Although the Theatre’s centrally located building remains our primary place of work, we are currently trialling
hybrid/flexible working - including the potential to request working up to 40% of hours from home – for applicable roles.
The post-holder will be expected to offer reasonable flexibility in their working arrangements in order to fulfil the duties they have been employed to perform.
No overtime is payable, although Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) for weekend overtime will be given if approved in advance with the Executive Director.
There is a 3-month probation period during which time the notice is 1 month. Upon confirmation of appointment, after a successful probationary period, the employee is required to give 3 months’ written notice to the Company and the Company will give 1-month written notice to the employee. After 4 years’ service, 1 additional weeks’ notice is required for each additional year of continuous service, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
28 days per annum (including public holidays) rising by 1 day per every complete year worked, to a maximum annual holiday entitlement of 33 days, including public holidays. Pro rata for part time working.
The Theatre is open over Christmas/New Year (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day) and all departments are required to be staffed during normal working hours over this period.
Leave Hull Truck Theatre’s staff handbook outlines the terms on sick pay, maternity leave/pay, paternity leave/pay, grievance/discipline and all other relevant staff matters.
Pension Hull Truck Theatre operates an auto enrolment pension scheme through Now Pensions. Further details are available on request.
Tickets Staff are entitled to tickets for Hull Truck Theatre productions (subject to conditions) and discount at the Theatre’s café bar run by Shoot The Bull.
Right to Work On appointment, the successful candidate must be able to provide the correct documents as proof of their right to work in the UK.
Inclusion and Equality
At Hull Truck Theatre we want to create and sustain a productive, diverse and inclusive working environment. We ask everyone who works with us to champion this ambition and embed it in their day to day work. We actively seek and encourage applications from those under-represented within our sector and welcome opportunities to facilitate job shares and flexible working to ensure our recruitment process and workforce is as open and accessible as possible.
Environmental sustainability
We aim to be an environmentally sustainable organisation and ask that our all our teams work to support this. In doing so we are seeking to promote efficient and sustainable practices that create minimal impact.
Background Information
OUR MISSION
Hull Truck Theatre is a pioneering theatre with a unique Northern voice, locally rooted, global in outlook, inspiring artists, audiences and communities to reach their greatest potential.
OUR VISION
To produce and present inspiring theatre that reflects the diversity of a modern Britain. To provide the resources, space and support to grow
people and ideas, be an ambassador for our city, a flagship for our region and a welcoming home for our communities.
OUR VALUES
We are committed to our core values of Inclusion, Innovation and Integrity.
Led by these values we are:
· Creative and Collaborative,
· Imaginative and Inspiring,
· Accessible and Relevant,
· Resilient and Sustainable.
“We tell inspiring stories dug from the heart of our city, alongside tales from the wider world, that reflect the diverse range of communities and creative voices that populate our nation. We produce exceptional drama made here in Hull, often showcasing new talent and are ambitious, bold and committed to our core values of Inclusion, Innovation and Integrity.”
Mark Babych, Artistic Director
Hull Truck Theatre Company is a registered charity and consists of the theatre which produces and presents theatre in two auditoria (Stage 1 – 426 seats and The Godber Studio – 135 seats).
Over recent years Hull Truck Theatre has been on a journey of significant change. On stage we reach an audience of over 70,000 and continue to build on the momentum of Hull UK City of Culture 2017, when we delivered an ambitious year of exceptional drama.
Through our work with schools and local communities we engage with 14,000 young people, disabled groups and adults, offering opportunities to participate in the arts, whether as a first step into a career, a way to build confidence and meet new people, or as a part of a rounded education. Our groundbreaking Community Dialogues programme builds on long-term partnerships within Hull’s local communities to address inequalities in accessing the arts.
In response to the Covid 19 pandemic we continued to engage with our audiences, artists and communities online and invested in technology to embed high quality digital engagement opportunities in our future. We’re delighted to be welcoming audiences back to the theatre, bringing people together safely to experience live performance once more.
In 2022 we celebrated 50 years of Hull Truck Theatre. Taking a look back at the theatre’s journey since 1972 to the present, whilst also looking to the future and asking, what will the next 50 years hold? How will Hull Truck Theatre continue to inspire future generations?
With the inspiring leadership of Mark Babych (Artistic Director) and Janthi Mills-Ward (Executive Director), the theatre is on the next stage of its exceptional journey, creating a vibrant 21st-century cultural organisation.
HULL TRUCK THEATRE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES SUPPORT FROM
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
Funded by UK Government