THEATRE PECKHAM: INSPIRING CREATIVITY & AMBITION
Head of Technical
Our Vision: We are building a representative and inclusive society where everyone can participate in, lead, work in, and enjoy creativity and culture.
Background Information: Rooted in south-east London, Theatre Peckham is a multi-award-winning learning theatre where talent meets opportunity. For 40 years we’ve opened doors to the arts, amplified underrepresented voices and proven that creativity belongs to everyone.
As we enter our 40th year, we celebrate decades of developing skills, ambition and artistic identity. Through the Theatre Peckham Model, we support young people to grow, nurture talent from first experience to professional practice and create pathways into the creative industries. Theatre Peckham is where creativity begins, talent is nurtured and new stories are made.
Your Stage, Your Story, Your Theatre Peckham
We platform diverse voices and local creatives with national and international ambition, presenting bold, innovative productions in our 200-seat theatre, studios and at Canada Water Theatre. Our work reflects and engages hyper-local audiences while telling stories that resonate far beyond Peckham, Camberwell and Southwark.
Theatre Peckham is recognised for producing high-quality work, telling powerful stories, and building strong relationships with audiences. We build partnerships and collaborations, working with artists, educators and organisations to create opportunities, develop talent and reach new audiences.
At Theatre Peckham we value Representation, Collaboration, Innovation, Ambition and Relationships.
This is an opportunity to join a dynamic team working collaboratively as a driving force for change within the industry.
Job Title: Head of Technical
Reporting to: CEO/Artistic Director
Work closely with: Head of Venue & Operations, Hires & Events Officer, Head of Finance, Managing Director
Direct reports: Technical Manager, Freelance Technicians, Duty Technicians, Creatives, Production Teams
Purpose of Role: Responsible for oversight on all day-to-day technical management, maintenance and compliance of the Theatre, Studios, Foyer and Canada Water Theatre, technical budgets, technical staffing, and the smooth operation of all productions, projects, hires and events.
Key Responsibilities:
Technical Leadership & Enquiries
Act as the first point of contact for all technical enquiries across Theatre Peckham and Canada Water Theatre.
• Oversee and coordinate all technical elements of productions and events, both in-house and visiting.
• Provide strategic oversight of technical delivery, ensuring high standards across all activity.
• Work with fellow members of Senior Leadership Team to provide and implement strategic vision across Theatre Peckham and Canada Water Theatre
Work in partnership with Southwark Council and Canada Water Library teams to support the ongoing development of Canada Water Theatre as a high-quality, fully equipped performance venue.
Technical Staffing & Management
Line manage the Technical Manager, overseeing workload planning and scheduling to ensure operational efficiency and balanced working hours.
Recruit, train, and supervise freelance technicians and backstage staff.
Ensure appropriate staffing levels for all events, aligned with operational needs and budgets.
In-House Production Support
Collaborate with the Producer to appoint creative and production teams.
Ensure all creatives receive accurate and timely technical information (e.g. technical specifications, rigging plans).
Line manage technical and production teams for in-house productions.
Work closely with the Production Manager and creative teams to realise artistic vision safely, efficiently, and in line with venue policies.
• Act as the lead technical contact for productions, attending technical rehearsals and performances as required.
Undertake practical delivery where required, including lighting programming and technical planning (e.g. CAD, visualisation software).
THEATRE PECRLIAM
Production Management
The role will undertake all responsibilities typically associated with a Production Manager, in accordance with standard theatre industry practice for all in-house productions and touring projects. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
o Scheduling and chairing production meetings
o Planning and sourcing sets, props, and technical equipment
o Attendance at fit ups, tech rehearsals and previews as required
o Leading get-ins, fit-ups, technical rehearsals, and get-outs
Visiting Companies & Received Work
• Liaise with visiting companies to coordinate all technical requirements and ensure deadlines are met.
Oversee staffing schedules in collaboration with the Head of Venue & Operations.
Monitor and communicate any additional technical costs.
• Ensure visiting companies are informed of health & safety procedures and venue policies.
• Collate and manage all required documentation (e.g. technical specs, risk assessments).
Maintain up-to-date technical specifications and information packs.
• Support visiting companies in delivering their productions to a high standard.
Maintenance & Technical Infrastructure
Develop and manage maintenance schedules for all technical equipment.
Maintain an accurate inventory, ensuring equipment is safe, compliant, and regularly tested (including PAT testing).
Identify and deliver technical upgrades and improvement projects.
• Oversee props and costume storage, ensuring spaces are organised and reset between projects.
Work with the Head of Venue & Operations to ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.
Position Theatre Peckham and Canada Water Theatre as high-quality, industry-relevant venues by maintaining modern, well-specified technical infrastructure and continuously evolving equipment and systems in line with sector best practice.
Budget Management
• Develop and manage the technical budget, ensuring effective and strategic use of resources.
Health & Safety
• Lead on health & safety for all technical activity, including:
o Developing and maintaining risk assessments across all technical areas
o Ensuring hazards are identified, mitigated, and clearly communicated
o Overseeing training, inductions, and compliance for all staff and freelancers
Ensure all technical equipment and working practices meet legal and organisational standards.
THEATRE PECRLIAM
Training & Development
Supervise and support backstage trainees and volunteers.
• Contribute to Theatre Peckham’s training programmes, supporting young people to develop skills in technical theatre.
General
• Advocate for Theatre Peckham’s reputation and activities both within Theatre Peckham and in the wider arts community.
• Undertake administrative responsibilities associated with the fulfilment of the role.
• Undertake other duties as may be required; for example, all staff may occasionally be required to work on the reception desk.
Maximise revenue and minimise expenditure whilst ensuring best possible practice across all areas of work
Actively adhere to Theatre Peckham policies, including Equalities (diversity, access, equal opportunities), Safeguarding policies.
Act always in the best interest of Theatre Peckham
Minimise the Theatre’s environmental impact wherever possible adhering to and supporting its Sustainability Policy.
Work to practical understanding and knowledge of current Health and Safety legislation and Licensing regulations
This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required of this position. It is neither comprehensive nor restrictive and does not form part of the contract of employment.
Terms:
This is a part-time position at 28 hours per week (excluding unpaid breaks)
Work address: Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil Street, London SE5 7SB and Canada Water Theatre, 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR
Normal working hours for this role are 10am-6pm (including a 1 hour unpaid break per day), four days of the week. Working days to be discussed. Please note there may be times where you may be required to work outside of these days/times – in these scenarios we work on a time off in lieu basis.
Salary: £36,000-£38,000 per annum, pro-rata – depending on experience and suitability for the role.
Annual leave entitlement:
All entitlements are exclusive of the standard 8 bank holidays in any year.
23 days on joining
24 days after 2 years of service
25 days after 3 years of service
26 days after 4 years of service
28 days after 5 years of service
These figures reflect the full-time annual leave entitlement. If you work part-time and/or start or finish your employment part-way through an annual leave year (1st April to 31st March, inclusive), your entitlement will be pro-rated accordingly.
The successful candidate will be expected to apply for an enhanced DBS check or hold a valid enhanced DBS certificate granted in the past 6 months.
Theatre Peckham is a family friendly employer and can consider flexible working hours to suit the successful candidate. We are committed to creating a workforce which is representative of our society and to bringing together those with a variety of skills and experiences, to help shape what we do and how we work.
Theatre Peckham is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
Deadline & Interviews: We will be reviewing applications and interviewing candidates on a rolling basis.
Early submission is highly encouraged, as we will close the position once a suitable candidate is found.
Start Date: ASAP
How to apply: Please email the completed application form (which can be downloaded from our website) to admin@theatrepeckham.co.uk and ensure you have completed the Equal Opportunities Form linked here.
Any questions, please contact us at Admin@theatrepeckham.co.uk
Office number: 020 7708 5401
Please title the job application document in the format “First Name-Last Name-Role Title”.
Please note that only applications submitted on Theatre Peckham’s Application Form, sent to us via email will be considered. We do not accept CVs.
Theatre Peckham welcomes and encourages applications from everyone regardless of their age, gender identity, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, or belief.
GUIDANCE NOTES FOR APPLICANTS
These notes are intended to help you to participate in the selection process as effectively as possible by providing us with all the information needed to demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job. Please read these notes carefully before completing your application form. If you have any difficulty in completing the form, please contact Tash Berg on tash@theatrepeckham.co.uk / 020 7708 5401
APPLICATION PACK
There are 2 documents that you need (1) Job description (2) Application Form. We also ask that you complete the online Equal Opportunities Monitoring form linked above. The documents are all available to download on the Theatre Peckham website and the link for the online Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form can also be found on the website. If you cannot obtain copies, please contact us for support. The purpose and key tasks and responsibilities of the position are set out in the job description. It is important to read all the information carefully before completing the application form.
THEATRE PECRLIAM
COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORM
General Points
Please do not attach your CV or copies of education certificates to your application form.
Applications in the form of CVs will not be considered.
Please return via e-mail.
We understand that AI tools can be used to assist with applications, however these tools often make submissions sound generic. We strongly encourage you to write in your own voice and share your personal experiences, so your application authentically reflects who you are.
Working through the form
Ensure that you clearly state the full job title on your application form.
If you are applying for a job share, please state this on the application form. Each individual will need to complete a separate application form.
Think about what evidence you can provide to demonstrate you have the necessary knowledge, experience, skills, and attributes to do the job. You may also want to include voluntary/unpaid work experience, or experience gained in a role of responsibility in one of your leisure pursuits if this is relevant to the requirements of the job.
The section titled 'Supporting Statement' is particularly important. This is where you make your case for why you wish to apply for the job and what makes you a suitable applicant.
In this section, it is important that you provide evidence demonstrating your knowledge, experience and skills relevant to the role. You should give specific examples of your achievements and explain how these show that you meet each requirement.
Provide all relevant information and complete every section, as the selection panel can only consider what you include in your application. #Remember to proofread your application form carefully and keep a copy for your own records before submitting.
Please return your application form to Theatre Peckham and ensure that it reaches us before the closing date. Late applications will not be considered. If you are having problems returning your form, please get in touch.
SHORTLISTING
Shortlisting will take place on a rolling basis. This process is always carried out by at least two people. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to interview via email.
In some cases, the selection process may involve two stages, and applicants may be asked to attend a second interview with a task to complete. Full details of any additional arrangements will be provided. All offers of employment at Theatre Peckham are subject to receipt of satisfactory references. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback. However, every applicant will be contacted with the outcome of their application and the outcome of their interview.
Additionally, under the Asylum and Immigration Act, we are required to check that anyone taking up employment with us has the legal right to work in the UK. All successful applicants will, therefore, be asked to provide us with documentary evidence to support their entitlement to work in the UK prior to taking up employment.
THEATRE PECRLIAM
Information provided by you as part of your application will be used in the recruitment process. Any data about you will be held securely with access restricted to those involved in dealing with your application and in the recruitment process. We are the data controller for your personal data and will ensure it is used and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998), the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations (2003) and as of the 25th of May 2018, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679). If you are the successful candidate, your application form will be retained and form the basis of your personnel record. Information provided by you on the equal opportunities monitoring form will be used to monitor Theatre Peckham’s equal opportunities practices. By submitting your completed application form you are giving your consent to your data being stored and processed for the purposes of the recruitment process, equal opportunities monitoring and your personnel record if you are the successful candidate.
Good luck with your application!
Theatre Peckham is a registered charity and is grateful for the support we receive. With special thanks to
Supportedusing pblic funiny ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
phf Paul Hamlyn Foundation