The posting
Applications close 10pm Sunday 18 October 2026. Successful shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an initial interview during the week commencing 2 November 2026. We can provide a BSL interpreter if required.
The Role
Responsible to: General Manager
Working Closely with: Operations Team, Heritage Buildings Team, Enterprises Team, Commercial Delivery Team, Programming Team
Responsible for: Production & Technical Managers, Senior Technician, Technicians, Casual Technicians, Casual Event Crew
This role will be part of BAC’s Operations Team. It may be expected to contribute to a range of workstreams, but the role will primarily lead on all our Production and Technical work as set out below.
General Description
The Head of Production & Technical leads all production and technical activity across Battersea Arts Centre, supporting an ambitious and diverse programme of performances, artist development, community activity, commercial events, conferences, weddings, concerts and filming. Working within one of the UK's most distinctive Grade II* listed arts venues, this is a unique opportunity to shape its technical future, working at the heart of a creative organisation that delivers an extraordinary range of activity, while balancing the opportunities and challenges of a historic building.
The role is responsible for ensuring all activity is planned, resourced and delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest professional standards. Working closely with artists, visiting companies, clients, contractors and colleagues across the organisation, the postholder will develop practical and innovative solutions that support both creative ambition and operational excellence.
Leading a skilled team of technical professionals, the Head of Production & Technical provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across production planning, technical delivery, workforce management, venue infrastructure, compliance, health and safety and technical resources. As a senior leader within the organisation, the role will help shape the future of BAC's technical operations, ensuring the venue remains an inspiring, welcoming and technically ambitious home for artists, communities, audiences and commercial clients alike.
As BAC continues to develop its Production & Technical function, this role offers a significant opportunity to shape the future of the department. The postholder will play a key role in evolving the team structure, strengthening systems and processes, developing technical capability and creating an environment in which staff can thrive while delivering exceptional experiences for artists, audiences and clients.
Role Responsibilities
Strategic/Project Delivery
- Provide strategic leadership for the Production & Technical department, ensuring delivery supports BAC's artistic, operational and commercial objectives.
- Lead departmental planning, workforce strategy, resource allocation, succession planning and budget oversight.
- Establish effective systems, processes and ways of working that support safe, efficient and collaborative delivery across all venue activity.
- Lead recruitment, performance management, wellbeing and professional development across the P&T Team.
- Develop and maintain a sustainable workforce model incorporating permanent staff, casual technicians, freelancers and contractors.
- Ensure effective communication and collaboration between Production & Technical and all other departments.
- Contribute to organisational planning as part of the Operations team.
- Monitor developments in theatre technology and industry practice, identifying opportunities for innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement, particularly with AV, sound, lighting, staging and rigging.
- Oversee production planning, including budgets, schedules, staffing, technical documentation (including CAD drawings) and resource requirements, identifying production risks and constraints at an early stage.
- Chair production meetings and provide strategic oversight of technical delivery across productions, events, hires and participation activity.
- Ensure all production activity is delivered safely and compliantly, with robust systems for risk management, technical assessment, documentation and incident investigation.
- Engage specialist technical, compliance or safety expertise where required and ensure significant risks and incidents are appropriately escalated.
- Ensure production activity is integrated with wider building operations, fire safety and emergency planning requirements.
- Lead long-term planning for technical infrastructure, equipment, facilities and capital investment.
- Maintain systems for contract administration, financial control, compliance and record keeping.
- Oversee the lifecycle management of production and technical assets, ensuring appropriate maintenance, replacement and disposal processes are in place.
- Build effective relationships with producers, clients and event managers to deliver successful outcomes within venue constraints.
- Work with Production managers and departmental managers to coordinate technical delivery of lighting, sound and AV requirements across BAC productions, co-productions, visiting work, participation activity, hires and events.
Team and Collaboration
- Lead, manage and develop the Production & Technical team, fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture.
- Line manage direct reports, giving guidance and feedback setting objectives and supporting individual development.
- Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, training, succession planning and technician competency programmes.
- Ensure staff, freelancers and contractors receive appropriate induction, briefing, supervision and support.
- Plan and manage technician rotas across lighting, sound, AV and rigging activity.
- Champion inclusion, accessibility, wellbeing, exceptional customer service and safe working practices.
- Support apprenticeships, placements and early-career development opportunities.
- Foster effective collaboration with internal teams, artists, visiting companies, clients, contractors and suppliers.
- Maintain training records, ensuring staff are booked into refresher training as needed and monitor team performance, implementing improvements where required.
- Promote a culture where health and safety is integrated into all technical and creative practice.
- Deliver Duty Technician training signing off technician competency framework
Skills Contribution
- Provide expert advice on theatre production, technical systems, rigging, temporary electrical installations, networking, compliance and event delivery.
- Ensure the safe operation, inspection, testing and maintenance of production facilities, infrastructure and technical equipment.
- Review technical documentation, production plans and contractor submissions to ensure feasibility, compliance and safe delivery.
- Oversee stage configurations, temporary installations and venue layouts to ensure compliance with capacity, emergency, rescue, fire safety and operational requirements.
- Act as the senior escalation point for complex technical and operational issues.
- Lead or support fit-ups, technical rehearsals, get-outs and show operation where required.
Business Delivery
- Manage Production & Technical budgets, resources and expenditure effectively.
- Oversee technical assets, inventories, storage facilities, workshops and maintenance programmes.
- Ensure statutory inspections, preventative maintenance and compliance programmes are delivered effectively, including EICR, and PAT Testing.
- Lead the development, maintenance and future planning of BAC's technical systems, infrastructure and equipment.
- Work with suppliers, contractors and visiting companies to maximise the effective use of technical facilities.
- Ensure technical operations comply with BAC policies, legislation, industry standards and best practice.
- Develop & Review Policies, Safe Systems of Work and Standard Operating Procedures in line with best practice
- Lead departmental compliance activity, including CDM, LOLER, PUWER, COSHH, temporary electrical systems and work at height.
- Support the organisation's Health & Safety management system, including the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, risk management, safe systems of work and operational procedures.
- Ensure appropriate systems are in place for risk assessment, technical assessment, production documentation and compliance, and are effectively utilised day to day to manage technical health & safety.
- Provide visible leadership in health, safety and risk management, promoting positive safety culture and ensuring incidents, near misses and unsafe practices are investigated and addressed appropriately.
- Lead venue communications licensing (Ofcom) compliance.
- Support income generation through commercial events, hires and technical services.
- Drive operational efficiency, reporting and continuous improvement across the department.
- Maintain the Production & Technical SharePoint site and departmental records in line with GDPR requirements.
General Tasks
- Be an active participant in BAC’s wider creative life, attending performances and events, and supporting the venue’s public-facing activities.
- Contribute to staff meetings, cross-team collaborations, and organisational initiatives that support BAC’s mission and continuous improvement culture.
- Maintain professional development, staying informed of trends in hospitality, retail, and event services to bring fresh ideas and improvements.
- Ensure that BAC’s values of inclusivity, sustainability, and generosity are reflected in all aspects of your work and team leadership.
- Undertake any other duties as reasonably required by the leadership of BAC
Person Specification
When we shortlist, we use these criteria to select the best candidates.
Knowledge: the understanding of a subject or information that a candidate has
Essential:
- Strong knowledge of theatre production processes and technical theatre operations.
- Thorough understanding of Health & Safety legislation and safe working practices, including PUWER, COSHH, LOLER and CDM.
- Knowledge of lighting, sound, AV, rigging and temporary electrical systems.
- Understanding of production planning, risk management and event delivery.
- Understanding of fire safety, emergency planning and venue licensing requirements.
- Knowledge of venue operations within a producing, receiving or multi-purpose arts venue.
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD and interpreting technical drawings and venue plans.
- Knowledge of ETC family consoles, Avo Tiger Touch 2
- Knowledge of Yamaha mixing consoles and Qlab4 along with other types of playback
- Knowledge of the application and fault finding processes for lighting and sound data networks such as ArtNet/sACN and Dante
Desirable:
- Knowledge of heritage or listed-building environments.
- Knowledge of inclusive production practice and accessible venue operations.
- Understanding of commercial events production.
- Knowledge of workshop management and scenic construction environments.
- Knowledge of sustainable production practices, including Theatre Green Book principles.
Experience: the practical application of the knowledge that a candidate has acquired through working or living
Essential
- Significant experience working within production and technical management in the arts, events or entertainment sector.
- Experience leading and developing technical teams.
- Experience supporting artists, visiting companies and clients through the production process.
- Experience leading operational, compliance and Health & Safety management within a production or technical environment.
- Experience managing budgets, schedules and technical resources.
- Experience managing equipment inventories, maintenance programmes and compliance requirements.
- Experience delivering complex productions or events involving multiple stakeholders.
- Experience managing contractors, suppliers and specialist service providers.
- Experience developing departmental systems, procedures and operational standards.
- Experience contributing to organisational strategy and business planning.
Desirable:
- Production management experience within a receiving and producing venue.
- Experience delivering commercial events such as conferences, awards, weddings or large-scale hires.
- Experience touring or transferring productions.
- Experience managing workshop facilities.
- Experience managing capital projects or major technical upgrades.
- Experience operating within a charity, arts organisation or cultural venue.
Skills: the specific abilities that a candidate has acquired through practice or training
Essential:
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent planning, organisational and prioritisation skills.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities
- Ability to influence, challenge and engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to balance artistic, operational and commercial priorities.
- Sound financial management and budgeting skills.
- Effective problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Ability to work calmly under pressure and respond effectively to operational challenges.
- IOSH, NEBOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
- Ability to interpret and apply legislation, industry standards and technical guidance.
- Strong report writing, documentation and administrative skills.
- Strong risk assessment and decision-making capability.
Desirable:
- IPAF, PASMA, PLASA NRC or relevant access equipment qualifications.
- Formal electrical or technical qualifications.
- BS7909 or equivalent temporary electrical installation training.
- First Aid at Work.
Values: the behaviours a candidate should be able to demonstrate
BACs values reflect the motto inscribed the walls of our old Town Hall building “Not for me, not for you, but for us”. We are inclusive and kind.
We expect all our staff to live this motto in their approach to work and BACs mission.
Terms & Conditions
Salary Circa £47,000 gross per annum, dependent on experience
Hours 35 hours per week, excluding a daily one-hour lunch break
This role is 5 days a week Monday-Sunday. Usual office hours are Monday-Friday 10am-6pm. We offer flexible working where possible.
This role is works on a weekly rota across daytime, evening and weekend shifts and spends time both operationally and in the office.
All staff at Battersea Arts Centre are expected to attend performances and events and be a part of the artistic life of the organisation.
Overtime No overtime payments; TOIL system
Annual Leave 4 weeks per year, pro rata (5 weeks following one full year of service)
Probation period 3 months, with a 6 week review
Notice period 3 months
Contract Period Permanent
Pension Scheme BAC’s pension scheme provided by NEST
Staff Benefits Complimentary tickets (subject to availability and staff ticket policy)
Employment Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured,
Cycle to Work Scheme
Discount in the BAC cafe (subject to discount policy)
5 Development Days (pro rata)
