Technical Manager

Royal & Derngate Job Description Department: Technical Job Title: Technical Manager Responsible To: Operations & Commercial Director Responsible For: Technical Heads of Department, Cinema Technician and Freelance Staff Job Purpose: To lead and strategically manage the overall organisation and supervision of the Technical Department, Cinemas and Digital Services, ensuring the highest quality of technical delivery in support of Royal & Derngate’s producing, presenting and digital ambitions. The Technical Manager will oversee the planning, resourcing and delivery of all technical activity across the organisation, ensuring the highest artistic, operational and safety standards while supporting the long-term development of technical capability and infrastructure. Key Task Areas: Technical Strategy & Delivery * Provide strategic leadership of the Technical Department, Cinemas and Digital Services to ensure technical delivery supports Royal & Derngate’s producing, presenting and digital ambitions. * Work closely with the Operations & Commercial Director, Head of Production and other senior colleagues to ensure all productions, events and digital activity are technically resourced, planned and delivered to the highest artistic, operational and safety standards. * Oversee the planning and coordination of technical requirements for in-house and visiting productions, ensuring information is communicated clearly and efficiently across technical teams. * Lead the long-term development of the organisation’s technical infrastructure, ensuring facilities, equipment and systems support current and future programming. * Contribute to organisational planning by advising senior leadership on technical capability, production feasibility and infrastructure investment. Technical Operations * Provide effective day-to-day leadership of the Technical, Cinema and Digital Services teams, ensuring resources are deployed efficiently in line with programming demands. * Oversee format teams responsible for configuration changes within the Derngate auditorium, ensuring safe and efficient reconfiguration of the venue for different productions and events. * Act as the primary operational point of contact for technical activity across Royal & Derngate, liaising with internal teams, visiting companies and external suppliers. * Ensure all technical equipment is operated and maintained to the highest professional standards and is available when required for productions and digital activity. * Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of backstage areas, auditoria and associated technical infrastructure, recommending investment in new equipment where required. * Ensure that technical operations support cross-site working and the effective delivery of the organisation’s artistic programme. Leadership & People Management * Provide leadership and direction to technical, cinema and digital services teams, fostering a positive and collaborative working culture. * Hold overall responsibility for technical staffing across Royal & Derngate, ensuring productions and events are appropriately resourced. * Manage the performance and development of technical staff, ensuring objectives align with departmental and organisational priorities. * Oversee induction, training and professional development within the technical department. * Support training initiatives, work placements and skills development within the technical teams. * Attend production, programming and operational meetings as required, contributing technical expertise to organisational planning. Health & Safety * Ensure all technical operations comply with relevant health and safety legislation and organisational policies. * Implement safe working practices across technical teams, visiting companies and contractors. * Work closely with the Operations & Commercial Director on health and safety compliance and capital projects. * Ensure appropriate risk assessments, safety procedures and operational standards are maintained across technical activity. Financial & Asset Management * Manage technical budgets in line with the Trust’s financial regulations, ensuring resources are used efficiently and effectively. * Contribute to financial planning and forecasting related to technical operations and production delivery. * Oversee the maintenance, lifecycle planning and replacement of technical equipment and infrastructure. * Contribute to capital planning for technical infrastructure and equipment. 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, Financial Regulations and Equal Opportunities. * To be aware of and adhere to policies and procedure related to Lone Working. * To be aware of and adhere to policies and procedure related to Safeguarding. * To undergo relevant training and development required by the Operations & Commercial Director and wider organisation. * To carry out any other tasks that will, from time to time, be allocated by the Operations & Commercial Director on an ad hoc or continuing basis, commensurate with the general level of responsibility of the post. 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. Royal & Derngate Person Specification Essential Experience: * Proven experience leading technical departments within a producing or presenting theatre environment * Proven experience of technical delivery of presented work * Proven experience of delivering digital/broadcast services * Proven experience of controlling large budgets Essential Knowledge/Qualifications: * IOSH or other relevant H&S Qualification * Working knowledge of Health & Safety At Work Act 1974 and other legislative requirements (LOLER/PUWER/COSHH) * Video broadcast/online content delivery/live streaming * Production Design/Management techniques * Theatre & PEL Licensing requirements Essential Skills/Abilities: * Ability to manage & lead staff at all levels with tact, fairness, diplomacy, firmness, and inspiration * Excellent interpersonal and communication skills * IT literate in Word, Excel/AutoCAD * Staff deployment * Numerate Desirable Experience: * Working within an arts organisation with a large and active education programme * Technical Management within a Producing theatre company * and/or Repertory theatre * Management/Delivery of large scale corporate events * Capital project development and implementation Desirable Knowledge/Qualifications: * An understanding of subsidised /commercial theatre. * First Aid at Work certificate * NEBOSH Desirable Skills/Abilities: * Staff training and development skills * Ability to mentor technical staff * Use of online administration & financial applications * (Artifax/XLedger/Tessitura or similar) Royal & Derngate Terms & Conditions Job title: Technical Manager Contract: Full-time Permanent Hours of work: 37 hours per week, working flexibly to include some evenings and weekends as required to support busy periods to ensure the successful delivery of the role. Salary: £41,280 - £42,280 per annum Paid monthly on 20th of each month 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: Technical Manager March 2026