POSITION PURPOSE
The Director of Production Services holds a strategic senior leadership position at Queensland Ballet; the key role where the intersection between the art and the business aligns. They are responsible for planning and presenting works and realising designs as well as managing Queensland Ballet’s valuable production assets. With a mind for detail, an appetite for mitigating risk across various areas of responsibility and a compulsion for safety, this role is integral for achieving the artistic vision as well as being accountable for the sustainability of the art.
Leading one of Queensland Ballet’s largest departments, the Director of Production Services is responsible for the planning, forecasting and budget management of the production and costume teams for each production, inclusive costume design and construction.
As a very efficient, organised, and knowledgeable production expert, not only will they understand a range of technical theatre elements, but they will monitor the quality and standard of presentation of all physical elements involved in Queensland Ballet productions including mainstage, Academy, touring, studio seasons, guest performances and special events.
This role has oversight for asset management and logistics for all incoming and outgoing hires and has oversight of all activities relating to asset maintenance, archiving, storage and transport/shipping. With an entrepreneurial mindset, the Director will oversee the day-to-day activities of the Production Centre and pursue new business development opportunities, to reach income generating targets, set by the Strategic Plan.
With the TDC Theatre, our performance studios, and residencies (QPAC, HOTA and touring venues) the Director will be mindful of and key to realising all performance activities across a range of sites, including our own.
An ambassador in the arts sector, the Director of Production Services will nurture and maintain sound relationships with peers and colleagues around Queensland, Australia and the world to facilitate shared learning, collaboration, business development including Foundation/philanthropy endeavours, best practice, asset hire and opportunities afforded by QB brand assets, and QB homes: the QB Academy at Kelvin Grove, Thomas Dixon Centre at West End and Production Centre at Yatala.
The position may require some travel interstate, intrastate and international.
ABOUT QUEENSLAND BALLET
Queensland Ballet is a vibrant, creative company which connects people and dance across Queensland. We offer a program of world-class productions of the best classical ballets and inspired contemporary dance works. The Company engages renowned choreographers and designers from around the world and nurtures emerging local talent by presenting exciting new works in an intimate studio series. With a culture of creativity and collaboration, complemented by an active program of engagement with our communities, Queensland Ballet has become the central hub for dance in the State. Our dancers are acclaimed for the technical excellence and versatility, and our annual program offers diversity in style, audience focus and geographic reach, with up to 100 performances in Brisbane and tours to regional Queensland.
When we open our doors, we welcome home all in our community. Our three homes form the foundations of our Artistic, Academy and Community pillars. We have designed each home with people at heart.
Thomas Dixon Centre — our headquarters and home to our artists and arts workers. Re-opening in 2022 following an extensive redevelopment, The WELLTM facilities at our home in Brisbane’s West End allow the Company to be housed in six studios, Wardrobe, Wellness Suite, dancer and office spaces as well as offer a full range of training and community access programs, including public dance classes. The new TDC Studio Theatre is a 356-seat venue with full stage, technical capability and backstage areas. Spaces including the Kite (Rooftop) Terrace, Bunker Bar and Community Studio will ensure that TDC fulfils its destiny to be a destination and cultural hub for all.
Queensland Ballet Academy — home to our arts students and teachers. We are committed to providing a pathway for young talent through the Queensland Ballet Academy. Queensland Ballet is dedicated to the pursuit of artistic excellence, dance education and innovative presentation of classical and neo-classical repertoire.
The Roy and Nola Thompson Production Centre — will be home to our arts makers and our arts assets. The Production Centre at Yatala is in development and will, once complete, house our production assets in a best-practice environment, enable the design and construction of our productions and be a home for commercial tenants. The Production Centre is a key cornerstone in QB’s sustainability strategy.
OUR VALUES AND PRINCIPLES OF COMMITMENT
With bold intentions to be unconstrained we will create magic and enrich lives by delivering across four core pillars: Artistic, Academy, Arts for All and Cultural Spaces.
Influenced by five core values and our principles of commitment, all that we do and all that we are, will remain true to the four core pillars.
1. Brilliance: we are world class in all that we do – we inspire excellence on stage, in studio, in business and in community.
2. Creativity: we are creative in every endeavour – we nurture our artform, artists, students and arts workers by exploring possibilities and responding to opportunities with agility.
3. Passion: with Queensland in our hearts – we celebrate our diversity, our heritage and our love of the artform through heartfelt connections.
4. Wellbeing: we promote wellness across society – we pledge to make a positive impact across all dimensions of wellbeing; social, cultural, emotional, physical, environmental and intellectual.
5. Integrity: we commit to Sustainable practice – we foster a culture of ethical behaviour that is anchored in community, integrity and legacy.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Director of Production Services reports to the Artistic Director and works closely with the Executive.
The Director of Production Services supervises a team of permanent and casual employees and contractors. Direct reports include:
- Head of Production
- Head of Costume
- Head of Technical
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy
- Participate in the ongoing strategic planning process as an integral member of the senior leadership team setting the direction of the organisation.
- Engage senior leadership to ensure that all production solutions positively support Queensland Ballet’s evolving strategy and artistic vision
- Provide financial modelling and scenario planning to both inform the artistic vision and to ensure the Queensland Ballet’s artistic outputs can be executed; essentially providing analysis and recommendations to assist the leadership to make strategic artistic decisions.
- Determine areas where Queensland Ballet could expand or trim for future growth and/or consolidation depending on the intention of the artistic output.
Planning and Presentation/Production Management
- Provide leadership to enhance and enable artistic operations meetings and production meetings.
- Necessary technical expertise and resources to support creative teams;
- Wardrobe – timelines and budget,
- Production – timelines and budget.
- Supervising/managing the technical realisation of the artistic vision;
- Providing creative briefs to the creative team to manage expectations and costs,
- Clear understanding of new technologies used in design and execution.
- Knowledge of practical theatre/performance space logistics, constraints and specifications;
- New productions are able to be achieved within the physical, environment of our performance theatres and touring expectations.
- Advise on practicality and cost implications related to events and endeavour proposed by company business units.
- Compliance with relevant workplace health and safety legislation and standards relating to the design and presentation of productions.
- Build and maintain productive and collaborative relationships across the arts sector, including with performance venues, other companies, creatives and contractors within the sector.
- Oversee the effective production management of each production, and ensure:
- appropriate risk management processes are applied to the production;
- effective stage management of each rehearsal and performance; and
- effective functioning of the stage lighting, mechanist, props, wardrobe, wigs/makeup sections to the necessary professional standards for each performance.
- Compliance with relevant workplace health and safety legislation and standards relating to the presentation of the artform.
Production Centre and Asset Management
- Oversee the Head of Technical managing the day-to-day operations of the Production Centre, ensuring effective logistics of incoming and outward-bound assets, storage and archival of all staging, wardrobe and reference assets.
- Oversee the Head of Costume and the Head of Production in the manufacture of scenery, props, costumes and wigs for new and revived productions, including:
- that commissioned designs are satisfactorily translated into practical and effective sets and props; and the Company’s stock of sets are appropriately stored, maintained and delivered to the venues.
- Develop and realise the strategy for new business, ensuring targets are met by deriving new income and maximising return on investments in assets and people.
- Leading on the procurement and acquisition of production assets, in collaboration with Executive and the broader Production and Costume teams.
Leadership
- Provide exemplary leadership by offering advice, knowledge and support to all direct reports and other relevant stakeholders to ensure resilience and commitment underpin a solution-focused approach.
- Continually provide informal coaching of all direct reports, to ensure a high performing team that is aligned to Queensland Ballet’s vision is capable of delivering on all required outcomes within expected timelines against the Company strategy and team plan.
- Effectively manage others through the provision of ongoing performance management and adequate professional development, including upskilling and succession planning.
- Role model leadership, including the ability to be responsive, collaborative, accountable and responsible.
- Lead work health and safety (WHS) across Production and Costume; ensuring that both departments fulfil all statutory Health and Safety obligations, comply with all Queensland Ballet WHS policies and procedures and are at all times working with due diligence and consideration to prioritise and safeguard the health and safety of everyone in the workplace.
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Significant experience of delivering technical and production management services within the performing arts and the touring sector within Australia and/or internationally.
- An extensive working knowledge of performing arts stagecraft, equipment and techniques.
- The ability to take a strategic overview of inter-connected technical activities, to multi-task and to problem-solve and organise resources calmly and efficiently under pressure.
- A proactive and positive approach to people management with experience in collaboratively leading a large team of technical staff, with an understanding of relevant employment legislation.
- A thorough knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
- Good financial management skills with experience in effectively managing budgets.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for this position please forward a covering letter, current resume and statement addressing the selection criteria to Candice Sheldon, Head of Human Resources via email: joinus@queenslandballet.com.au.
Referees will be sought from candidates following the interview process.
Applications close 5pm, Monday 10 January 2022. Applications received after this time may not be considered. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via email on completion of the recruitment process.
For further information or for a confidential discussion please contact Human Resources on (07) 3013 6666. We respectfully advise that no agency applications will be considered at this time.
Queensland Ballet acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and perform. Long before we performed on this land, it played host to the dance expression of our First Peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the valuable contribution they have made and continue to make to the cultural landscape of this country.
Queensland Ballet is committed to providing an inclusive and child safe environment that is free from Workplace Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Bullying and to reflect the diversity of the communities and people with whom we engage, we seek to hire a workforce that is both representative and diverse. With a focus on inclusion, accessibility, and flexibility, we are committed to supporting you in your career with Queensland Ballet.
