About the role

Job Title: Technical Manager

Responsible to: Creative Production Director 

Place of Work: Backyard Cinema, Capital Studios, Wandsworth

Hours of Work: 40 Hours per-week, including occasional evenings and weekends

Contract type: 6 Months Fixed Term, Full-Time

Salary: £35,000 per-annum

Start Date: As soon as practicable.

Deadline –  Monday 30th May at 10am

Overview 

Backyard Cinema is looking for a talented Technical Manager to join their fast-growing Creative Production team for 2022 and beyond. This role will be based at Backyard Cinema’s Capital Studios Venue in Wandsworth, which is not only the home to two large immersive cinema screens, changing themes seasonally, but it also boasts a large communal drinking area, a live entertainment stage, cocktail bar, street food and more.

As Technical Manager you’ll have responsibility over all technical aspects of the venue, in conjunction with working closely on each phase of Backyard Cinema’s Immersive Experiences. Working closely with the Production Manager you will manage and be responsible for ​all technical planning at the pre-production, build, running and de-rig stages of each immersive production.

Key Responsibilities:

Main Duties

• Responsible for the technical requirements of the Front of House areas, Immersive Experiences, Cinemas, Live Stage and Backstage areas of the venue, ensuring a safe operation for staff, artists, technicians and associated personnel at all times.
• To pre-manage and ensure the production of all Immersive Experiences by producing a Technical Schedule for each event, including the provision of staff, equipment, facilities and resource and to liaise with creative teams, any visiting artists and private hirers on providing relevant services. 
• Ensure the successful presentation of all immersive cinema screenings, live performance and private events within the venue ensuring the highest possible standards are maintained for stakeholders, audiences and  customers.
• To provide line management to the technical team and lead on recruitment and training.
• A brand ambassador for the venue as well as other Backyard Cinema Venues.

Operational:

• Gain an understanding of the whole building and all its capabilities – in production the lighting, sound, SFX, show control, relays, video and playback and cabling and as a building the air handling, alarms systems, etc.  To work on the maintenance upkeep of the building, keeping records to ensure regular maintenance checks are carried out on a regular basis in line with external contractors.
• To develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the Backyard Cinema movie playback system and other Backyard Cinema show control equipment / programmes.
• To oversee the day to day operational technical aspects of the venue to ensure they’re running as smoothly as possible.
• To support the Venue Manager with the rota-ing the technical team, making sure there is sufficient tech support on-site when necessary.

Health & Safety:

• Ensure relevant legal obligations are met at all times by staff and in accordance with the companies Health & Safety Policy and to produce local H&S arrangements.
• To ensure that all get-in, fit-ups and get-out regulations are adhered to, Health & Safety check sheets are accurately completed and truck loading plans are adhered to.
• To carry out and maintain all relevant safety operation tasks, including risk assessments, PAT and other testing, theatre equipment maintenance and inventory.
• To ensure weekly checks are completed for fire alarms, emergency lighting, lighting, plumbing and fire fighting equipment.
• To ensure all relevant staff and volunteers are trained in manual handling, first aid, marshalling and fire/evacuation procedures.
• To ensure the venue meets Fire Risk Assessment requirements and to oversee the annual Fire Risk Assessment and ensure all action points are actioned.

Personal Specification:

Essential

• Proven experience in the management of a Technical department
• Practical knowledge and understanding of lighting and sound design
• Experience of Cinema or video playback
• Experience in the operation of live sound, lighting and Audio Visual equipment.
• Significant experience in the safe running of get-ins, shows and get-outs
• Ability to organise the planned maintenance of staging and theatrical equipment according to legislation and guidelines
• Experience in the management of stock and equipment.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Excellent customer service
• Leadership and strong management skills
• Excellent time-keeping
• Strong IT skills

Desirable

• Health & Safety training
• PAT testing
• First Aid Certificate
• General building maintenance experience.
• IPAF 3a & 3b trained