The Head of Technical Services (Venue and Special Projects), in consultation with the Director of Production Services, is engaged to manage all aspects of technical operations including operational and resource planning, stakeholder management and delivery of technical services to a consistently excellent and safe standard for Queensland Ballet, Queensland Ballet Academy and the Thomas Dixon Centre.
Due to the evolving nature of Queensland Ballet’s endeavour, homes and residencies, the Head of Technical Services (Venues and Special Projects) responsibilities will encompass diverse Production projects. Working across all Queensland Ballet teams and with an expert knowledge of production, technical and theatre operations, the role will also lead the exploration of training programs, encompassing live production, technical services and theatre operations.
# The position may require some inter- and intra-state travel.
## This is a backfill position commencing from the end of January / start of February to April 2023.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Head of Technical Services (Venue and Special Projects) reports to the Director of Production Services.
The role supervises the Technical Services Manager (Venues and Special Projects).
The role supervises a team of casual employees and contractors.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Thomas Dixon Centre Commissioning:
- As required, oversee any outstanding commissioning projects, and work closely with the Facilities team to inform and rectify any defects that may arise as part of this process.
Technical Operations, Planning and Administration:
- With the Technical Services Manager, manage the day-to-day requirements of the Talbot Theatre and associated spaces inside the Thomas Dixon Centre. Manage technical service requirements (including bump in and out) by coordinating services and personnel and overseeing operations.
- Oversee technical staffing including day-to-day personnel management, workflow within the department for the delivery of components for Talbot Theatre productions (internal and external), Thomas Dixon Centre studio hires, activations and events, as well as administration duties such as rostering and timesheets.
- Work collaboratively with peers and cross departmental stakeholders to maximise staff, resources and opportunities to ensure the smooth planning and delivery of all Technical Services activities and operations.
- Manage the safe use, and effective management of Queensland Ballet Technical Services equipment and assets including lighting, AV, staging, portable dance and sprung floors, pianos and electric keyboards in the Talbot Theatre, function spaces, public spaces and all Queensland Ballet and Queensland Ballet Academy studios.
- Work collaboratively with the Head of Technical Services (Venues and Special Projects) exploring and embracing new technology and new techniques, help to support their implementation ensuring QB’s sustainability and efficiency into the future.
- With the Director of Production Services, manage the Thomas Dixon Centre technical operational budgets – forecasting and monitoring staff costs and recovery, maintenance, equipment and plant capital expenditure and depreciation.
- Apply knowledge of, interpret and adhere to relevant industrial awards and legislation, including the Live Performance Award, Performer’s Certified Agreement and relevant WHS legislation and policies. Including the development and implementation of risk assessments and safe work procedures to manage event risks.
Stakeholder Deliverables:
- Provide effective and proactive leadership of the technical planning process for safe and efficient event delivery, ensuring the hirers needs are balanced fairly with Queensland Ballet and Thomas Dixon Centre’s artistic and business objectives.
- Provide outstanding customer relationship management, including maintaining proactive working relationships with stakeholders and service providers to balance competing needs and achieve strategic and operational objectives.
- Liaise with clients (internal and external) to establish their technical and creative requirements and provide on technical staffing requirements, budgets and schedules as required.
- Support community users in developing their technical capabilities and production standards.
- Advise clients of Queensland Ballet WH&S policies and procedures and request any relevant WH&S information pertinent to the client’s activities.
- Provide technical production advice for TDC strategic planning, scheduling, and budgeting.
- Recommend and manage the TDC technical operation budgets – forecasting and monitoring staff costs and recovery, maintenance, equipment and plant capital expenditure and depreciation.
- Lead and manage all stakeholder meetings and debriefs as required.
Production Training Programs
- Build collaborative relationships with TAFEs, universities, RTOs and the schooling sector to capitalise on opportunities to share expertise and strengthen Queensland Ballet’s training pipeline for Production arts workers, to ensure industry sustainability.
- Develop, maintain and expand relationships with industry and community to identify and respond to new and emerging training needs and create future opportunities within the sector.
Leadership
- Provide exemplary leadership by offering advice, knowledge, and support, where appropriate, to ensure resilience and commitment underpin a solution-focused approach.
- Effectively support others through the provision of adequate professional development, including upskilling and considerations for succession planning.
- Role model leadership, including the ability to be responsive, collaborative, accountable and responsible.
- Lead work health and safety (WHS) across Production Lighting and Production Centre Operations; ensuring that these teams 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 Minimum of seven years’ experience in a similar position in a performing arts organisation.Demonstrated knowledge of all technical aspects of professional theatre production, including planning, negotiating, and managing production processes, lighting requirements, set and costume builds and negotiation with creative teams.Demonstrated experience in effectively managing production budgets and schedules.Working knowledge of relevant industrial awards and legislation, including the Live Performance Award, Performer’s Certified Agreement and relevant WHS legislation and policies.Proven experience working as part of and managing a small team in a fast moving, creative environment, whilst instilling a high-performance and supportive culture.A proactive, collaborative mindset and demonstrated capacity to work independently, combined with an eye for detail and the ability to see the big picture
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The following will be used to assess the employee’s performance in the role at performance appraisals:Timely management of the storage and transportation of sets, props and costumes for each production.Effective budget management, high level reporting quality and adherence to deadlines.Comprehensive production documentation and record management, including professional delivery of production elements required across TDC and Production Arts Centre, extending to events and activations.Demonstrated collaboration and teamwork in the delivery of production requirements across all Queensland Ballet sites.
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. The facilities at Queensland Ballet’s home in Thomas Dixon Centre in Brisbane’s West End allow the Company to offer a full range of training and community access programs, including public dance classes.
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 repertoire.
Roy and Nola Thompson Production Centre — will be home to our arts makers. With bold and confident ambitions for the future, we proudly build upon the legacy of many creative and gifted artists who have been part of the Company’s rich history since 1960 as we continue to create magic and enrich lives with the development of Queensland Ballet’s Production Centre.
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 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.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Hours of Work Ability to work flexibly in line with relevant community engagement scheduling requirements, across various locations.
Salary Salary will be negotiated with preferred candidate. Superannuation is paid into the superannuation fund of your choice, currently at the rate of 10.5%.
BENEFITS
Queensland Ballet provides a supportive and collaborative team environment combined with the opportunity to play an integral role in a dynamic and progressive organisation that is paving the way for the future of Ballet in Queensland. Our employees have access to weekly dance classes and various other health and well-being initiatives.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for this position please forward a covering letter, current resume and one page statement addressing the key criteria to Human Resources via email: joinus@queenslandballet.com.au before 10am 25 January 2023.
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.
