Head of Stage (Royal)

Royal & Derngate
Job Description

Department: Technical
Job Title: Head of Stage (Royal)
Responsible To: Technical & Maintenance Manager with production-specific
reporting lines to the Head of Production
Responsible For: Deputy Head of Stage, Senior Technician (Stage), Stage
Technicians.

Job Purpose:

•  Act as the primary point of contact for all activity in the Royal Auditorium.
•  Manage the planning, coordination, and delivery of technical staff, stage and
flying equipment, and associated services for all Royal performances and
events (both produced and presented), including any related spaces as
required.

•  Ensure all technical elements of productions (produced and presented) are

safely, efficiently, and effectively installed, operated, and maintained.

Key Task Areas:

•  Promote and deliver excellent customer service to all internal and external

stakeholders.

•  Oversee the day-to-day management and operation of the Royal Stage

Department, including stage and flying systems.

•  Act as a key liaison for internal and external clients in relation to events held in

the Royal and, where required, other associated performance and event
spaces.

•  Ensure safe working practices are adhered to at all times, in line with

departmental Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) policies and
procedures.

•  Under the direction of the Technical & Maintenance Manager, and in

collaboration with the Head of Stage (Derngate) and the Heads of Lighting and
Sound:

•  Lead on the scheduling of full-time staff, ensuring calls are accurate, issued in
a timely manner, and compliant with contractual and legislative requirements.

•  Lead on the booking of part-time and freelance technical staff for the Royal

and associated spaces.

•  Recruit suitable casual technical staff in line with the organisation’s recruitment

and selection policies and procedures.

Job Ref: Head of Stage (Royal)
February 2026

•  Deliver induction training to new full-time and part-time departmental staff, as

required.

•  Conduct performance reviews for team, identifying training needs and

agreeing key objectives.

•  Maintain accurate financial records for the department, including show

recharges and production expenses, in accordance with the organisation’s
financial regulations.

Produced Work in the Royal:

•  In conjunction with the Head of Production and the Workshop Department,
play a leading role in the fit-up of in-house and visiting productions in the
Royal.

•  Prepare equipment in readiness for production weeks.
•  Attend production meetings and liaise with the Production Manager and

Designers as required.

•  Support Stage Management and Craft Departments as necessary.
•  Work performances as required.
•  Attend meetings as required.
•  Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current and emerging equipment, working

practices, and relevant legislation.

•  Under the direction of the Technical & Maintenance Manager, ensure that
departmental risk assessments are completed, reviewed to an appropriate
level, and that safe systems of work are developed, implemented, and
regularly reviewed.

•  Under the direction of the Technical & Maintenance Manager, oversee routine
and ad-hoc maintenance of backstage, stage, and associated technical areas,
with particular emphasis on stage and flying systems.

Additional Responsibilities:

•  Promote and adhere to the organisation’s culture and values.
•  To support in creating a safe, pleasant, respectful and productive work
environment setting an example of positive professional standards.

•  To be aware of and adhere to any legislative requirements consistent with the
overall duties of this post, with particular regard to Health and Safety policies
and procedures, General Data Protection Regulations and Equal
Opportunities.

•  To be aware of and adhere to policies and procedure related to Safeguarding.
•  To undergo relevant training and development required by the Technical &
Maintenance Manager, the Operations & Commercial Director and wider
organisation.

•  To carry out any other tasks that will, from time to time, be allocated by the

Technical & Maintenance Manager on an ad hoc or continuing basis,
commensurate with the general level of responsibility of the post.

Job Ref: Head of Stage (Royal)
February 2026

It is a requirement of Northampton Theatres Trust that all colleagues work in a
flexible manner compatible with their jobs and in line with the objectives of the
company. This job description is a guide to the key duties, responsibilities and tasks
for which the jobholder is accountable but due to the nature of the business, the
specific responsibilities and activities may vary and develop over time. Therefore,
this job description should be seen as indicative and not as a permanent, definitive
and exhaustive statement.

Job Ref: Head of Stage (Royal)
February 2026

Royal & Derngate
Person Specification

Essential Experience:

•  Proven experience working in a mid- to large-scale receiving house.
•  Proven experience delivering the technical aspects of presented work.
•  Demonstrable experience managing a busy stage department.

Essential Knowledge/Qualifications:

•  Extensive knowledge of stage and flying systems.
•  Recognised rigging qualification.
•  Strong understanding of receiving house and touring techniques.
•  Clear understanding of, and commitment to, live performance.

Essential Skills/Abilities:

•  IT literate, with experience using Microsoft Word and Excel.
•  Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
•  Effective people management and leadership skills.
•  Competence in the operation of technical control equipment.
•  High level of attention to detail.
•  Calm and effective under pressure.
•  Courteous, enthusiastic, and professional approach.
•  Strong problem-solving skills.
•  Customer-focused mindset.
•  Motivated, proactive leader with the ability to support and develop others.
•  Strong team player with a collaborative approach.
•  Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings and weekends as

required.

Desirable Experience:

•  Experience working in a venue with a large and active education programme.
•  Experience managing staff within a large, multi-format performance space.
•  Experience of working within a repertory house.
•  Experience delivering large-scale corporate events.

Job Ref: Head of Stage (Royal)
February 2026

Desirable Knowledge/Qualifications:

•  Knowledge of producing theatre techniques.
•  Knowledge of theatre licensing and Public Entertainment Licensing (PEL).
•  Qualified workplace first aider.
•  IOSH qualification.
•  IPAF qualification.
•  Working knowledge of Artifax and Exchequer.
•  Knowledge of building plant and machinery.

Job Ref: Head of Stage (Royal)
February 2026

Royal & Derngate
Terms & Conditions

Job title:
Head of Stage (Royal)

Contract:
Full-time, Permanent

Hours of work:
37 hours per week, balanced over a four-week period. Working flexibly to include
evenings and weekends as required to support busy periods to ensure the
successful delivery of shows.

Salary:
£34,858 - £35,858 per annum, paid monthly on 20th of each month.
Get-Outs available as paid additional hours, when worked outside of contracted
hours.

Work location:
Royal & Derngate, 19-21 Guildhall Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1
1DP.

Holidays:
Annual leave year is April to March
31 days per annum including statutory holidays (pro-rata in first year)
33 days per annum per annum after 3 years continuous service
36 days per annum after 5 years continuous service

Pension Scheme:
Contributory staff pension – 5% employee and 3% employer
NTT pension scheme is provided by NOW pensions
NTT will contribute after 3 months service

Benefits:
Free Employee Assistance Programme run by Health Assured
Complimentary tickets available on selected shows throughout the year
10% discount at our bars and theatre shop

Employment Subject to:
Satisfactory references
Compliance with Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and the Immigration
Act 2016
Six-month probationary period
Job Ref: Head of Stage (Royal)
February 2026