Head of Lighting & AV

At Derby Theatre, we are a charity and a National Portfolio organisation for Arts Council England, and we’re known for artistic excellence. We’re committed to education. And we believe that theatre can change your life.  

Previously Derby Playhouse, we have a long and important theatrical history. As Derby Theatre, we work in partnership with the University of Derby and are a home for higher education students. We produce new plays and projects, collaborate with artists and local people, and offer training for young people too, with opportunities for learners of all ages. It’s all about empowering people to tap into their potential and achieve.  

The Technical Department is part of the wider Production Department, led by the Technical Manager and comprises of the Head of Lighting & AV, Head of Sound, Head of Stage, and three multi-disciplinary Technicians. The department work on all Produced and Received shows, and on external hires and internal projects, including the theatre's large Youth Theatre and outreach events.

The department provides all aspects of technical theatre support, from set builds to show operation, fit-ups to get outs, workshops with school groups to assisting the university Theatre Arts students; if there's a technical part then we're part of it.

The Head of Lighting & AV line-manages the Lighting Department, overseeing the day-to-day duties of the team, ensuring their Health and Safety and welfare, and assessing any training and development needs.

Duties for Produced work will include working with designers to accurately and safely realise their plans, and the design and creation of practical effects. For Received work, duties will include liaising with incoming companies to match their requests to our equipment, and managing the rigging of lighting and AV in a safe and timely manner. All to the highest standards possible within the time and financial resources agreed and available.

The job involves both hands-on and office-based work, and regular evenings and weekends will be expected.

Anticipated interview date - 1st September 2026

You will have good experience in a lead Lighting and/or AV role in a professional theatre or entertainments venue, you will have solid knowledge and expertise of technical theatre, including producing shows.

You will have proven leadership skills, and have the ability to work with a wide range of people, personalities, and departments, sometimes under a great deal of time pressure.

You will be competent and confident in regards to industry Heath and Safety, accomplished and accurate in IT skills and record-keeping, and have an interest in supporting learners of all ages.

As this role involves working with young people, a full DBS check will be required.

What should I expect if I am invited to an interview?  

We aim to make the interviews as accessible and engaging as possible, and we want you to talk about yourself and your work experience in a relaxed and friendly setting. 

We believe an interview is a chance for you to find more information about the role, us as an organisation and for you to get a sense of whether this is the right environment for you. 

With this in mind, we have designed an interview process which will enable potential candidates to meet members of the team and partners, see some of the spaces you might be working in, and of course a chance to talk about you and your work experience. 

1. Lead the team of lighting technicians, ensuring the wellbeing, motivation, professional development and satisfactory conduct of all assigned staff.
2. Directly supervise the work of technicians. Instruct team members, allocate work and ensure work is processed accurately and on time. Overseeing and running fit-ups, get-outs and operating shows in accordance with staff rotas.
3. Administrating the running of the department; providing schedules, budgets and time sheets as required. Recruit, supervise, and manage all Lighting Department team members working at Derby Theatre ensuring their time is scheduled as effectively as possible adhering to the UK Theatre/BECTU Agreement.
4. Use judgement, technical knowledge and expertise to provide advice, guidance and solutions in your specialist areas of risk and expenditure. Influence outcomes to achieve long term resilience for your department.
5. Keep yourself and your team aware of developments and issues developing in Derby Theatre and the wider theatre industry.
6. To deputise in the absence of the Technical Manager.
7. Work closely with multiple touring companies, directors and designers to ensure their artistic vision can be safely delivered, and within timescale and budget.
8. To act as Duty Technician, as required, taking responsibility for the security of the building, its occupants and associated equipment.
9. Being familiar and complying with current Health & Safety regulations relevant to the industry and keeping abreast of changes to such regulations.
10. Implementing and overseeing Health & Safety in all backstage and onstage areas, including the control room, adhering to Health & Safety regulations and the in-house Health & Safety policy.
11. Responsible for creating and monitoring suitable risk assessments and method statements for all department related activities, and producing and maintaining PAT, COSHH and any other Health & Safety records relevant to the department as required.
12. To liaise with the Head of Production regarding production or building Health & Safety issues that may affect performing or incoming companies.
13. Set and lead standards for in house safe electrical working, and work with designers and directors to be sure incoming rigs can be safely achieved.
14. Translate complex rig and patch plans to the stage, using expertise at design stage to negotiate, influence and inform the creative team to produce workable schemes of design.
15. Plan, oversee, create, and install all rehearsal and production practicals as necessary.
16. Ensure that assigned budgets are managed efficiently and to assist the Head of Production and Technical Manager in financial planning and budgeting objectives.
17. To identify additional income generation opportunities from department resources.
18. To keep up to date with environmental best practice in the theatre industry, such as the Green Book and Julie’s Bicycle monitoring tools.
19. To monitor the use of materials and equipment in use, looking at levels of re-use, recycling, and reduced energy consumption; and to champion and develop the use of more environmental policies in the production department.
20. Actively support Derby Theatre’s Learning Theatre model, including engaging with the University of Derby’s Theatre-related higher education provision.
21. Lead and facilitate learning opportunities and support the theatre’s wider role as a learning environment.
22. To keep up to date with developments in the industry as they relate to your role, and to contribute to the overall development of the department and organisation
23. To ensure that Derby Theatre’s policies, procedures and values are observed in every area of the department’s work
24. Engage with multiple stakeholders within Derby Theatre and beyond as a subject matter expert, delivering technical expertise to productions, design, rehearsals, and performances.
25. To be responsible for the safe and efficient storage, maintenance, and record-keeping of all Lighting Department equipment, and to ensure that backstage areas are kept in an excellent state of cleanliness at all times.
26. In conjunction with the Technical Manager and other Heads of Departments, planning and carrying out repairs, alterations and improvements to the stage and workshop.
27. To provide the highest level of customer and audience care at all times.
28. To drive company vehicles as required and to be responsible for booking vehicles and ensuring the Theatre is compliant with University of Derby transport procedures.
29. To act always in the best interests of Derby Theatre, protecting intellectual property and confidential information at all times